DHAKA: US President Barack Obama and pro-Israel leaders exchanged concerns about how each side distorts the other’s arguments in the debate over the Iran nuclear deal, and how the distortions are creating divisions in the Jewish community.

The meeting Tuesday evening at the White House between Obama and an array of Jewish leaders lasted more than two hours, The Jerusalem Post publishes this report on Wednesday.

Participants said it was civil and friendly - Obama got a round of ‘happy birthdays’ when he walked in the room - but that Obama forcefully expressed his frustrations with how the deal has been presented in the Jewish community.

In contrast with previous meetings, they said, much of the discussion focused on the effect the debate was having on American Jews, as opposed to the details of the agreement.

Pro-Israel officials confronted Obama about the impression they said he leaves that his opponents are ‘warmongers’ and his suggestions that there is something untoward about their lobbying.

According to participants, Obama was especially frustrated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for not allowing activists who flew in last week to lobby the extended encounter he offered with his top officials.

Obama met the Jewish leaders as deal opponents and supporters are waging a battle for the hearts and minds of Democrats in Congress, who are the key to success or failure of a resolution of disapproval in a legislative window that closes toward the end of September. Democratic lawmakers are facing intensive lobbying and a barrage of ads from both sides. AIPAC is leading the effort to kill the deal.

‘He asked people in the room, state your positions, argue them as you wish, but at least represent the facts objectively,’ said Robert Wexler, a former congressman from Florida who now directs the Center for Middle East Progress.

‘Don’t misrepresent what the agreement provides.’

BDST: 1345 HRS, AUG 05, 2015
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