Jewish groups concerned about Obama's pressure policy for Israel

Jerusalem, July 15 (ANI): US President Barack Obama's reassurance to Jewish officials on US policy for Israel has failed to relieve their concerns about it.

"This meeting does not allay my concerns because it confirms that this isn't just a willy-nilly decision by some Arabists in the State Department but part of a framework Obama thinks will solve all the problems in the region," The Jerusalem Post quoted a representative of a Jewish group, as saying.lthough Jewish officials welcomed Monday's intimate face-to-face discussion at the White House, they said it was insufficient to dispel their doubts about his approach towards Israel.

During the meeting, Obama expressed strong support for Israel and acknowledged a 'misperception' that the US was disproportionately pressuring Israel, a Jewish official said.

But several representatives from mainstream Jewish groups in the room said that they still felt somewhat uneasy following the meeting.

"I am concerned that the Obama administration is falling into the trap of blaming all the problems with the peace process and region generally on Israel," said an official. merican Jewish Committee Washington Director Jason Isaacson was more measured in his assessment of the changing US policy in the region.

"To not have questions and not have concerns when the ground seems to be shifting would be [unusual]. Certainly I have concerns. I don't think anyone who is paying attention in one hour can have his concerns entirely erased," Isaacson said.

He stressed, though, that he didn't doubt Obama's sincerity in his efforts and appreciated his acknowledgement in the meeting that more needed to be done so the US wasn't perceived as pressuring Israel to the exclusion of the Palestinians and the Arabs.

Just one participant said he was reassured enough by the encounter to have a new perspective on Obama's posture.

"I'm prepared to give the president an opportunity to test his because he reassured me personally, and everyone else there, of the strength of the US's relationship and his and the administration's commitment to Israel," said Rabbi Steven Wernick, executive vice president of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. (ANI)