ISRAEL: Angry Israeli protesters threw shoes at a photo of U.S. President Barack Obama in demo against U.S. pressure

Record ID: 396738

  • Title: ISRAEL: Angry Israeli protesters threw shoes at a photo of U.S. President Barack Obama in demo against U.S. pressure
  • Date: 12th October 2010
  • Summary: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL (OCTOBER 11, 2010) (REUTERS) **CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY* DEMONSTRATION AGAINST UNITED STATES PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA'S POLICY REGARDING ISRAEL, ORGANISED BY ISRAELIS ON FACEBOOK, IN FRONT OF THE AMERICAN EMBASSY WOMAN HOLDING SIGN READING: 'OBAMA, ISRAEL (DOES NOT EQUAL) KETCHUP, SO DON'T SQUEEZE'
  • Embargoed: 27th October 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Israel
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVA7AVYSO36KDRPCB9JDL8VCLL4W
  • Story Text: A small group of Israelis convened on Monday (October 11) in front of the American embassy in Tel Aviv, to protest what they say is the pro-Palestinian policy of United States President Barack Obama.
    Protester threw eggs and shoes at a photo of Obama speaking on the phone, and held signs reading: 'Obama, Israel not a tip to appease Jihadism' and 'Israel does not equal ketchup, do not squeeze'.
    Organisers of the demonstration, a group called 'Zionist Activism' who say they represent the Jewish secular public in Israel, published the event on Facebook.
    "He published this picture that he is putting his shoes on the table while talking to Netanyahu (referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu). This is a symbol of despise, of contempt. He is saying 'I hold contempt towards Israel and towards the Prime Minister of Israel'. He is insulting us intentionally," David Ish Shalom, one of the organisers told Reuters.
    Ish Sahlom referred to a photo taken in June 2009 during a phone conversation between Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, showing Obama sitting with his feet propped on his desk. At the time, Israeli media described the photo as 'insulting' and 'disrespectful'.
    On Monday, Netanyahu offered the Palestinians a trade off to revive peace talks they quit - a new freeze on building in settlements if they recognise Israel as a Jewish state.
    The Palestinians immediately rejected making any such a declaration, which they have long opposed.
    The impasse deepened doubts over the chances of resuming U.S.-brokered negotiations that stalled last month after Israel refused to extend a 10-month moratorium on housing starts in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. The direct talks were kicked off in Washington on Sept. 2, but there were only three face-to-face sessions before the building freeze expired.
    In a press release, 'Zionist Activism' called the 'Obama freeze policy' an anti-democratic, anti-Semitic and racist demand that prefers Palestinian rights over Israeli rights in their 'historical homeland'.
    The group called upon the American public to be ashamed of the fact it's president is operating towards the exiling of hundreds of thousands of Jews from their homes.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Audio restrictions: This clip's Audio includes copyrighted material. User is responsible for obtaining additional clearances before publishing the audio contained in this clip.
Register