Mideast press lukewarm on Obama

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7523100.stm

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Barack Obama visited the West Bank and Israel during his tour

US presidential hopeful Barack Obama's visit to the Middle East has drawn a cynical reaction in the region's media, with both Israeli and Arabic commentators interpreting it as a gesture aimed largely at Mr Obama's US audience.

Although one Israeli commentator believed the Democratic senator acquitted himself well, the country's most widely read paper, the broadly liberal Ha'aretz, accuses him going of too far in pandering to pro-Israeli sections of his electorate.

Palestinian and other Arabic observers argue that Mr Obama's actions and statements betrayed a clear pro-Israeli bias, and were designed to reassure potential voters that he has not abandoned traditional US support for its main ally in the region.

OFER SHELAH IN ISRAEL'S MA'ARIV

In a world where the US has become an object of hatred, Obama is perceived as someone who can rescue America from itself... Obama managed to say all the right things... His face conveyed the seriousness of one in whose hands lies the fate of a threatened nation, and the smile of someone who cares.

EDITORIAL IN ISRAEL'S HA'ARETZ

Obama is attempting to assure potential Jewish voters at the expense of promoting the peace processes in the region. The interests of the pro-Israel lobby in America do not always chime with the interests of the state of Israel... Israel needs an American leader who does not fear the reaction of American Jews and non-Jews who do not believe in dividing the land to reconcile its two peoples.

EDITORIAL IN PALESTINIAN AL-QUDS

Visits by senior leaders to this country - Israel and the Palestinian territories - are coming thick and fast, and the visit by Obama is just the latest... These repeated visits and this clear bias towards Israel's position once again emphasise the strength and influence that Israel and its allies have across the world.

AHMAD HANNUN IN PALESTINIAN AL-QUDS

Obama's visit to Israel is part of a sad farewell party for the Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, who is clinging to his premiership like a limpet to a rock... As for Obama, he wants Israel to give him additional support to help him reach the White House, and for that he reads out his supportive policies to the leaders of Israel.

HAFITH AL-BARGHUTHI IN PALESTINIAN AL-HAYAT AL-JADIDAH

What would have happened if Obama put on his head a Palestinian keffiyeh [chequered scarf] in the same way that he twice put on the Jewish skullcap? This would have been balanced behaviour, but he did not do it and will never do it. The reason for this is that his 15-hour visit was put on to demonstrate his solidarity and support for Israel's policy.

WALID NUWAYHID IN BAHRAIN'S AL-WASAT

Obama's tour is not exploratory, but rather aims to send a message to American domestic opinion that he is reasserting US administrations' traditional priorities on Middle Eastern issues. And because these issues have grown in number under George Bush, Obama started his tour in Afghanistan, as it was the first victim, followed by Iraq, the second victim, to Palestine, as it is indispensable for confirming established US principles.

AHMAD ZAYBAN IN QATAR'S AL-RAYAH

With regard to substance, Obama did not move away from US policy constants in his statements during his current tour in the region, with only some differences in details and tactics.

<a href="http://www.monitor.bbc.co.uk">BBC Monitoring</a><i> selects and translates news from radio, television, press, news agencies and the internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages. It is based in Caversham, UK, and has several bureaux abroad.</i>