The publisher of a Jewish newspaper in Atlanta has stepped down after he published an article suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu put a hit out on President Obama.
According to the Jerusalem Post, Andrew Adler relinquished all day-to-day duties immediately after saying that Obama's assassination was one of Israel's few options in warding off a nuclear Iran. He said that he would publish an apology in the paper's next edition after the negative feedback he received from readers and the press.
In the column, printed on Jan. 13, Adler gave three responses to how Israel could deal with a nuclear Iran. The last response was the most chilling: "Give the go-ahead for US-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 then continued, "Yes, you read three correctly."
The Jewish Federation of Atlanta immediately slammed Adler for the column.
"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," the Atlanta federation said in a statement issued Monday to constituent groups.
The Anti-Defamation League and the National Jewish Democratic Council condemned the article, while the American Jewish Council called for Adler's resignation.
There is a prevailing but mistaken theme in Republican circles and among some Israelis that President Obama is anti-Israel. In September 2011, Obama gave what many have called the most pro-Israel speech of any president ever at the United Nations. He spoke of protecting Israeli interests at all costs.
As for the column by Adler, it is disgraceful for anyone living in the United States to openly write about killing the president as a solution to the problems in the Middle East. It seems to us that it's an offense that should have the FBI knocking on your door.
Read more at the Jerusalem Post.