I was a guest on Newshour on Monday night to discuss the full foreign policy plate that awaits Barack Obama on January 20. (You can see the complete transcript here and download the video here.) Just before this segment was taped, the Israeli ambassador to the United States, Sallai Meridor, was interviewed by Margaret Warner regarding the Gaza crisis. What struck me was not his words--he said the expected--but the pin on his lapel.
Look at this picture:
Ambassador Meridor is wearing a double flag pin that has the Israeli flag welded to the American flag. It may be that Israeli diplomats have long worn such a crafty fashion accessory. But this was the first time I noticed it. How cunning. Would the French ambassador be caught dead wearing two flags at once? Would the U.S. ambassador to any country boast a similar accoutrement? He or she could be accused of--yikes!--dual loyalties. But for the Israelis, it's quite natural: a not-very-subliminal message and a reminder why Israel does so well in the PR battle for America.
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Comments
I didn't catch ya on Newshour, but I'm glad you found the time to drop in for a post.
Posted by: Alan
| December 30, 2008 11:41 AM
""He or she could be accused of--yikes!--dual loyalties.""
give us a break - you would need both hands to count the number of USrael dual-citizens that comprised the bushco cabinet.
even palin had an israeli flag in her office.
obama is going to be more of the same; an enabler of israeli brutality.
Posted by: as_if!
| December 30, 2008 11:42 AM
Should the lapel pins include a cross and a star of David?
I mean GAWD would be the ultimate leader, er . . um , , lord type thing?
That way all the enemies are anti-GAWD.
Posted by: capt
| December 30, 2008 2:30 PM
Just curious, and totally off topic, but did you attend Canarise HS?
Posted by: Livia
| December 30, 2008 4:43 PM
I have one of those pins. I don't wear pins but I do have one. Got it at a debate between an Obama and McCain supporter in October.
Posted by: kalpal
| December 31, 2008 9:01 AM
Israel and Palestine in 2 mins Chalk video
http://tinyurl.com/7nn9mc
Posted by: as_if!
| December 31, 2008 10:37 AM
David - I think there is less here than meets the eye. The double flag pin is a fairly common item and is often worn by ambassadors, including U.S. ambassadors, to many different countries, including some that we are only marginally friendly with (like Russia). It doesn't really signify much beyond a vague feeling of friendship, or at least civil behavior.
Posted by: wvmcl
| January 2, 2009 10:38 AM
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