The Anti-Defamation League has taken issue with comments from President Barack Obama that the ADL says reflect a “significant shift” in U.S. policy toward Israel and the peace process.

During his closing remarks and press conference following the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington on April 13, Obama said about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: “Not only is it in the interests of each party to resolve these conflicts, but it’s also in the interest of the United States. It is a vital national security interest of the United States to reduce these conflicts.”

ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman issued this statement in response:

“The significant shift in U.S. policy toward Israel and the peace process, which has been evident in comments from various members of the Obama Administration and has now been confirmed by the president himself in his press conference at the Nuclear Security Summit, is deeply distressing.

“Saying that the absence of a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict undermines U.S. interests in the broader Middle East and the larger issue of resolving other conflicts is a faulty strategy. It is an incorrect approach on which to base America’s foreign policy in the Middle East and its relationship with its longtime friend and ally, Israel.

“The net effect of this dangerous thinking is to shift responsibility for success of American foreign policy away from Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt and directly onto Israel.

“It is particularly disturbing in light of the blatantly disproportionate number and the nature of statements issued by this administration criticizing Israel as compared to what has been said about the Palestinians.

“The best way to move the peace process between the Israelis and Palestinians forward is for all parties to demand that the Palestinians abandon their tactic of ‘just saying no’ and insist that the rest of the Arab world move toward normalization of relations with Israel.”

Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League doesn’t think much of Obama’s peacekeeping efforts. He joins the ever-increasing crowd of many who share his sentiments, including yours truly.