Some in Israel are interpreting a move by Obama as an intentional insult. While speaking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from the Oval Office, a photo was taken of Obama with his feet up on his desk with the soles of his shoes exposed. It is an insult in the Arab world to show the sole of your shoes to someone (see past shoe throwing incident stories at the bottom of this post). The 'shoe sole insult' is said not to be a historically Jewish custom, but some are interpreting it as in insult none the less. There is also the quote/veiled threat that they may be taking into consideration as well as the straining relations between Israel and the United States under the Obama administration.
Picture embedded below. (from
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/06/09/world/worldwatch/entry5076128.shtml)
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Israel's Channel One TV reported that Netanyahu was told Tuesday by an "American official" in Jerusalem that, "We are going to change the world. Please, don't interfere." The report said Netanyahu's aides interpreted this as a "threat.""
Past shoe throwing incidents (reverse chronological order):
Berman Post: Shoe Thrown at Ahmadinejad
Berman Post: Israeli Ambassador to Sweden Hit With a Shoe
Berman Post: Protester Throws Shoes at Mayor Carolyn Peterson
Berman Post: Protester Throws a Shoe at China's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao
Berman Post: President Bush Dodges Two Shoes
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