Tikun Olam-תקון עולם: Make the World a Better Place

Stewart: “Does Obama have “pander?” (Daily Show)

Thanks to Phil Weiss for noting that Jon Stewart has taken on AIPAC in one of his monologues. Much of the comedy was shticky, but there were a few real zingers. Like Stewart calling the AIPAC conference-goers “the elders of Zion.”

In comparing the candidates’ fawning references to their trips to Israel, Stewart poked special ridicule at McCain, who told the audience he went there with “Senator Lieberman.” To which Stewart replied:

Senator, when you go to Israel you don’t need to bring your own Jew.

And I especially enjoyed this pointed segment:

The key for Obama is does he have ‘pander.’ [Image displays Obama lapel pin worn during AIPAC speech] The senator appears to have gone from no lapel pin to the Siamese Israeli-U.S. flag double lapel pin.

But we’ll save the best for last:

One part about being a good friend to a country like Israel is constructive criticism of any of its policies that may not be in the best interest of the world. So let’s hear the candidates’ critiques of current Israeli policy. [Images of Obama, Clinton and McCain standing silently] Oh, I forgot. You can’t say anything remotely critical of Israel and still get elected president. Which is funny because you know where you can criticize Israel? Ah…Israel.

Bravo, Stewart! Frankly, I can’t remember any comedian taking on such a subject especially not on TV. Face it, the AIPACers are now the butt of jokes, which is only as it should be.