One of the first Israeli politicians to congratulate US president-elect Barack Obama early Wednesday was Arab MK Ahmed Tibi (Ra'am-Ta'al), who declared Obama's win "the victory of the Other and the different, and the defeat of racists."
"It's the victory of ideals over aggression," Tibi wrote. "The American people have demonstrated their greatness. They awoke to the dawn of a new day, and the rest of the world will follow."
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's reaction came shortly after, describing Obama's election as an "impressive, historical victory."
"America has proven once again that it is the greatest democracy, serving as a model to all other democracies around the world," Olmert said. "Obama has demonstrated his skills and leadership to the world."
President Shimon Peres also conveyed a response, saying, "The fact that a black president was elected puts an end to racism, to some degree, around the world. Never again will a white man feel superior and a black man inferior. Obama's election has proven that color [is not what matters], but rather a person's abilities and values," Peres said.
Ethiopian MK Shlomo Molla (Kadima) joined the celebration, saying Obama's victory had revived hope for all black people here and around the world.
"This is the victory of all those who care about social equality. I hope that we, too, will not have to wait hundreds of years for race, color and gender equality," Molla said.
Likud MK Yuval Steinitz, meanwhile, praised the new American president and recalled that Obama "has already expressed his friendship toward Israel and his support of its right [to defend] its borders, as well as his uncompromising commitment to blocking Iran's nuclear capabilities."
Meretz chairman Haim Oron said the American public had made the better, more responsible choice. "Obama's victory proves that true change comes from a leadership that is not afraid to give voice to its opinion," Oron said.
Labor MK Ophir Paz-Pines added, "Obama's victory gives hope to the State of Israel and to billions of people around the globe. Obama should be involved in the political peace process in the region as soon as he starts his term."
However, MK Arye Eldad (NU/NRP) remained pessimistic, as he prophesied on Wednesday that from now on Israel would face the Iranian nuclear threat alone.
"Israel needs to prepare itself for a situation in which Barack Obama will try to pay with Israeli interests for agreements [that will lead to] an American withdrawal from Iraq," Eldad said. "Obama wants to hold talks with Iran, and he has already accepted the idea of a nuclear Iran."
