Haim Saban ‘Disturbed’ by Obama Stance on Israel in Closing Days of Administration

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By Nathan Guttman January 5, 2017

The choir condemning President Obama’s decision to allow a United Nations Security Council resolution on Israeli settlements has gained an important reinforcement.

Haim Saban, a top Democratic funder and a close friend of Bill and Hillary Clinton, is speaking out against the Obama administration.

“As a longstanding Democrat who has supported and defended President Obama on his treatment of Israel throughout his presidency, I am deeply disturbed by the Administration’s decision not to veto UN Security Council Resolution 2334 and Secretary Kerry’s subsequent one sided speech,” the Israeli-American billionaire said in a statement. “These actions undermine our country’s long-standing support for Israel and harm any long-term prospects for peace, which is in our national interest.”

Saban has always been hawkish on issues relating to Israel and was critical of the Iranian nuclear deal, a hallmark Obama diplomatic step which was supported by Clinton as well. He has recently also spoken out against Rep. Keith Ellison who is running for chairmanship of the DNC, calling him an “anti-Semite” and “anti-Israel.”

Contact Nathan Guttman at [email protected]

Nathan Guttman, staff writer, was the Forward’s Washington bureau chief. He joined the staff in 2006 after serving for five years as Washington correspondent for the Israeli dailies Haaretz and The Jerusalem Post. In Israel, he was the features editor for Ha’aretz and chief editor of Channel 1 TV evening news. He was born in Canada and grew up in Israel. He is a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

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