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This is What
Leadership Looks Like
By Kate Burch
Watching Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress March 3 brought me to
tears. I wished—not for the first time—that we could have him, or
someone like him, for our President.
The Israeli Prime Minister was unimpeachably gracious, despite the
disrespectful treatment he has received at the hands of our President
and the fifty or so members of Congress who boycotted his very
important speech. He revealed nothing about the deal-in-progress with
Iran concerning their nuclear weapons program that had not already been
made public, either through leaks or via official channels. He
said nothing that was untrue, backing up his warning with ample
evidence from the Iranian regime’s historical record. He said
nothing that was partisan or politically inflammatory, emphasizing
instead the longstanding American-Israeli friendship and our mutual
grounding in values.
Former House Speaker Pelosi has dramatically stated that she was
“saddened” and “near tears” because the speech insulted Congress’ and
America’s awareness of the threat posed by Iran. Well, what about
the vigorous efforts of the administration to downplay the threat and
to attempt to convince us that Iran certainly will, this time, abide by
its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the
protocols of the International Atomic Energy Agency? The Kumbaya
crowd has, no doubt, been lulled into believing that Obama’s charm and
deference toward the Iranian leaders will lead them to cooperate and
cease threatening their neighbors, but that is truly wishful
thinking. It is indeed sad that so many Americans have not been
aware of the threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran, not only to Israel,
but to the world—including us. It should not have been necessary
for Benjamin Netanyahu to instruct us on this matter, but he performed
a great service by doing so.
His speech was clear, unambiguous, and forceful. He was not
warmongering, but rather calling for an agreement that could have some
chance of being effective. His manner commands respect, and also
elicits, in me at least, a sense that he can be relied upon to do the
difficult things that must be done to protect his people and advance
his country’s interests. That kind of leadership is something we
have not had for a while, and I miss it.
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