The publisher of a Jewish newspaper has resigned amid intense pressure after writing a column suggesting that Israel consider assassinating President Barack Obama.
Andrew Adler, owner and publisher of Atlanta Jewish Times, wrote an editorial January 13th suggesting the assassination would be among Israel’s options in dealing with a hostile Iran equipped with nuclear weapons.
In his column Adler laid out what he said were three options available to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in countering the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program.
One of the options was to “give the go-ahead for U.S.-based Mossad agents to take out a president deemed unfriendly to Israel in order for the current vice-president to take his place, and forcefully dictate that the United States’ policy includes its helping the Jewish state obliterate its enemies.”
He continued, “Yes, you read ‘three’ correctly. Order a hit on a president in order to preserve Israel’s existence. Think about it. If I have thought of this Tom Clancy-type scenario, don’t you think that this almost unfathomable idea has been discussed in Israel’s most inner circles?”
Adler went on to ask: “How far would you go to save a nation comprised of 7 million lives — Jews, Christians and Arabs alike? You have got to believe, like I do, that all options are on the table.”
The other two options, according to Adler, are to attack Hezbollah and Hamas or defy the U.S. — which he said is willing to let Israel “take a lethal bullet.”
Adler, who later apologized for his column, said Obama has an Alice in Wonderland belief in diplomacy over force.
His controversial write-up sparked an enormous backlash among US Jews, with scathing criticism from the National Jewish Democratic Council, the Atlanta Jewish Federation, the American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League.
According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Adler is “relinquishing all day-to-day activities effective immediately” and is seeking a buyer. He told the agency, “I very much regret it. I wish I hadn’t made reference to it at all.”
Though he apologized for the column last week, Adler came under pressure to leave the weekly publication.
The Atlanta Jewish Federation issued a statement asking for Adler’s resignation, saying, “While we acknowledge his public apology and remorse, the damage done to the people of Israel, the global Jewish people, and especially the Jewish Community of Atlanta is irreparable.
Despite criticism from GOP hopefuls that Obama is being too hard on Israel, The president’s popularity in the Jewish community remains intact, a demographic that is considered crucial to his re-election. Obama’s relationship with Jews, though, has often been a sensitive subject, particularly in the light of unfounded accusations and false innuendos that he is a secret Muslim.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that the Secret Service has launched an investigation into Adler’s activities.
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