In a statement released this afternoon after the president's speech, Dov Hikind said Obama "is not a friend of Israel," calling the president's remarks "outlandish" and saying President Obama "is of the same mindset as Hamas."
What President Obama actually called for is a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders but with land swaps with Israel, which is significantly different from Hikind's claim, although still problematic for many Israelis.
Hikind is opposed to Israel ceding any land and is ideologically in sync with many of Israel's extreme right wing fringe groups and West Bank settlers, so it's no surprise Hikind was very upset with the president's speech.
Even so, Hikind's rhetoric crosses a line that should not be crossed and for which there is no factual support.
But that is the way with extremists – especially extremists of the fundamentalist kind who have begun to realize that their goals are slipping away.
Here is Hikind's statement as it appeared on VIN:
“Once again, President Obama has proven that he is not a friend of Israel. His outrageous remarks today calling for a two-state solution and the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders indicate a blatant disregard of Israeli history and of the constant threat of terror and violence Israel faces from all sides. In fact, President Obama is of the same mindset as Hamas who have also called for a return to the 1967 borders.
Mr. Obama does not live in a world of reality as is evidenced by his attempts to befriend Iran, Syria and other nations who seek to destroy both the United States and Israel. In trying to force Israel to return to the 1967 borders, Mr. Obama has effectively condemned the State of Israel to a slow and painful death. We cannot and will not allow that to happen. President Obama’s comments have only reaffirmed that he still does not get it and never will.”