Wikileaks: Podesta sees differences between Clinton and Obama on Israel
In an e-mail exchange, John Podesta was asked how to rebuff claims that Clinton "will be the president 'most unfriendly to Israel in our history– worse than Obama."
By MICHAEL WILNERUpdated: OCTOBER 19, 2016 23:33Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton(photo credit: KOBI GIDEON/GPO)
NEW YORK – Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman believes that criticism of her commitment to Israel is “a bit crazy” given her career-long commitment to the security of the Jewish state, according to his email correspondence released by Wikileaks over the weekend.In an email exchange, John Podesta was asked how to rebuff claims that Clinton “will be the president ‘most unfriendly to Israel in our history – worse than Obama.’”“That’s a bit crazy,” Podesta replied. “Obama developed a real feud with Bibi, but she has been a staunch defender of Israel since her Senate days. Probably her very best supporters are Haim Saban, and Danny Abraham who would not be with her if she wasn’t totally committed to Israeli security.”Haim Saban is one of America’s most generous campaign contributors, and a longtime friend and ally of Clinton, who has frequently appeared by his side at events and policy forums. Danny Abraham is also a billionaire, the founder of the Center for Middle East Peace and Orthodox in his practice.Saban has prioritized not only Israel’s tactical security, but also its protection from a growing movement to boycott, divest and sanction the Jewish state. Clinton has vowed to fight that movement aggressively should she be elected president.“Look forward to working with you on this,” she wrote to Saban by hand in July.