By Salaam Abdul Khaliq

Hillary Rodham Clinton is center-stage in the news again. More accurately, she is in the center-stage of controversy. She is being honored by Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, for her "humanitarian work." Clinton will be presented an honorary award by Judy Palkovitz, public policy chairperson for Hadassah's 306,000-members, who lauds Clinton as being worthy of the honor because of her exemplary work on causes related to women and children.

Sure. That's all well and good. But how about Hadassah's two dozen members who protested outside the organization's office complaining over what they consider defects in Clinton's political positions regarding Israel.

Well see, that's the give-away. Hadassah's symbolic award is in fact a reward to Mrs. Clinton for her support for moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

A few weeks ago, the First Lady told New York's Jewish community that she believed Jerusalem was Israel's eternal capital. Such a statement was completely out of character given the fact that the First Lady was contradicting even her own husband's official foreign policy. And indeed, U.S. President Bill Clinton vetoed a Senate vote on the embassy issue earlier this year.

But isn't she the same Hillary who visited the Gaza Strip not too long ago and later remarked that Palestinians should have their own state? Isn't she the same Hillary who is said to be the most sympathetic First Lady on Islamic concerns to ever grace the White House?

It seems that political expediency -- also known as political pandering or fawning for public office -- necessitated Clinton's stance. After all, Clinton was addressing New York's Jewish community, and you can't win the Jewish vote in the Big Apple if you don't take a pro-Israel stance. It is a simple fact that the unwritten First Commandment of public office in New York is, "Thou shalt not offend Israel."

Taken within context, the First Lady is excused for saying that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel. Taken out of context, she is a political opportunist pandering to Jewish voters. Taken in and out of context at the same time, she is just another astute politician wanting to get elected to public office at the expense of personal integrity.

The First Lady could have been politically brave by simply telling the hawkish Jewish voters the following:

This could have been a historic speech by the First Lady, which would have undoubtedly put her persona way up on the list of the top-ten politicians with integrity and moral correctness. But alas! Since such a list does not even exist, neither does Hillary's speech or her political correctness. And if there is any lesson for U.S. Muslims to learn, it is that if you want politicians to pander to you too, register to vote.