A posh golf club in Washington is at odds over Obama’s admission because of his controversial treatment of Israel.
President Barack Obama’s clashes with Israel and particularly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may cost him a membership at an exclusive golf club in Washington, the New York Post reported Tuesday.
According to sources quoted in the report, Obama is looking to join the elite Woodmont Country Club in Maryland once he becomes a private citizen, but members of the mostly Jewish club are at odds over whether to accept him, with many saying he deserves to be snubbed for not blocking an anti-Israel vote at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) last month.
Secretary of State John Kerry gave a speech defending the US’ decision to abstain during the vote, a move which enabled the resolution the pass. The address was perceived by many as hostile towards Israel.
“In light of the votes at the UN and the Kerry speech and everything else, there’s this major uproar with having him part of the club, and a significant portion of the club has opposed offering him membership,” a source told the Post.
“Originally, this was supposed to be a back-door thing to get this done and give him the membership — free of charge — and circumvent the rules,” the source said.
“But now, with the UN thing, they are not in position or likely to do it,” he added, saying the club is currently facing threats of potential lawsuits and litigation for breaching the bylaws to let Obama join.
“Can you imagine how angry I would be if I had paid $80K to have to look at this guy who has done more to damage Israel than any president in American history?” an official in a Washington Jewish organization fumed.
When rumors first began to spread in Washington that Obama may consider joining the club, the CEO and general manager, Brian Pizzimenti, welcomed him.
“We’d be honored to have the president at the club as a member,” Pizzimenti told The Forward. “We’re glad to have offered [Obama] fun and relaxation.”
The White House did not respond to a request by the Post for a comment.
By: World Israel News Staff