Muslim world nervous about Barack Obama's pro-Israeli chief of staff - Telegraph

Muslim world nervous about Barack Obama's pro-Israeli chief of staff - Telegraph: "Arab world nervous about Barack Obama's pro-Israeli chief of staff
The Arab world has voiced concerns about Barack Obama appointing an Israeli as his chief of staff.


By Tim Butcher in Jerusalem
Last Updated: 10:27PM GMT 13 Nov 2008
Rahm Emanuel - Profile: Rahm Emanuel, Barack Obama's new enforcer
Mr Emanuel's appointment as White House chief of staff prompted initial dismay among some in the Arab world Photo: AP

The notoriously pugnacious Rahm 'Rahmbo' Emanuel, a 48-year-old congressman from Chicago, makes no secret of his support for Israel.

He holds both an American and an Israeli passport, spent regular summer holidays in Tel Aviv and joined the Israeli army reserve during the first Gulf War in the early 1990s.

But while the appointment prompted initial dismay among some in the Arab world, governments in the Middle East are being cautious before passing judgement.

They are waiting to see whether Mr Emanuel's strong Jewish credentials might not be crucial persuading Israel to accept the two-state solution backed in principle by President-elect Obama and the Arab League.

When Mr Emanuel's appointment was announced, commentators across the Muslim world voiced their concerns.

He was denounced as" read on....