Friday, October 16, 2015

DeBlasion Starts Mideast Junket NY Post

By Post Editorial Board

October 15, 2015 | 8:26pm

Bill de Blasio sets off for a muddled trip to the Mideast

Photo: William Farrington

He’s off again: Mayor de Blasio began yet another road trip Thursday, though this time for a traditional cause of New York mayors — to back Israel.

Too bad his message seems so muddled.

“It’s very important to stand in solidarity with Israel,” de Blasio said on his way out of town. “I’m proud to be going [at] a moment when Israel is in need and where friends need to stand and be counted.” Hear, hear to that.

When the Jewish state was plagued by Hamas rockets last year, Gov. Cuomo announced his own mission there to show support. Now, as violence rages anew — this time from “lone wolf” Palestinians — a visit from the mayor of America’s biggest city will be equally appreciated.

In Jerusalem, de Blasio will visit a bilingual school with both Arab and Israeli kids. And he’ll warn about anti-Semitism. Indeed, his pre-departure remarks decried the outbreak of anti-Jewish attacks in “a lot of Western nations.”

Again, visiting Israel is standard for pols in this area, the home to more Jews than anywhere but Israel. “Part of my job description is to be a defender of Israel,” de Blasio said last year. Right again, Bill.

But that makes it all the more baffling that his staff had considered having him also visit Ramallah — which would have made him the first New York mayor to set foot in the West Bank since David Dinkins.

That may explain the staff confusion: Dinkins is a de Blasio hero; the mayor just renamed the Municipal Building after him.

Another possibility: The Democratic Party is far less pro-Israel than it used to be. From President Obama on down, Democrats today suggest both sides are equally to blame for the latest attacks.

Asked about the Ramallah trip, a de Blasio spokeswoman said “building inclusivity and tolerance between all of the region’s people is critical to achieving peace.”

The mayor himself, explaining why he’s visiting Palestinian kids in Jerusalem, said the way to end violence is “through inclusion” and that “it’s important to encourage youth on all sides to work together.”

All of that might sound fine. But as we noted Thursday, the situation in Israel is crystal clear: It’s Palestinians attacking Israelis, not the reverse. They need to stop. Period.

Let’s hope that’s the message that prevails during the mayor’s trip.