A quick poll of some of my American expat friends indicates that around 90% are unhappy with the result of the American election and fearful of what President-elect Obama, rather than McCain, will mean for Israel.

“I am so depressed,: said one of the respondents to my poll.” Obama is a manipulator who is surrounded by unsavory characters. He will champion the Arabs and be a disaster for Israel.”

To balance that, here’s a comment from one of the few who reacted positively: “Joe Biden is a strong ally of Israel and I’m sure this means Obama will be too. I imagine, by today, the world already has a different, more positive view of America. For the first time in a while I feel proud to be American.”

We can’t know for certain, of course, whether or not Obama will be good for Israel. But for once I’m not only thinking about my small corner of the world. As a non-American, I acknowledge with admiration what the greatest democracy in the world has done. The sight of people queuing to vote all over the USA was incredible. Tomorrow I’ll go back to worrying full-time about Iran; about the kassams that continue to rain down, and about who the real Obama might be. Just for today, I can only acknowledge the truly momentous result of this election.