The effort to marginalize Chuck Hagel for saying fairminded things about Israel/Palestine is really among the most hateful/disastrous aspects of the Israel lobby’s effect in this country. So let’s connect the dots.
Note that on the Haaretz panel that is trying to sideline Hagel, one of the “experts” is Dore Gold, a former Israeli ambassador to the U.N. who lives in Jerusalem. Note that, as I have reported before, Gold has pulled down $96,000 a year as a stealth “scholar” for the American Enterprise Institute. Note that Irving Moskowitz, a California doctor and backer of the American Enterprise Institute, was also a big supporter of the Netanyahu government. Note that Gold was part of that rightwing government, and note too (per the superb Israeli journalist Gershom Gorenberg in The End of Days, Fundamentalism and the Struggle for the Temple Mount) that Moskowitz was at Netanyahu’s side in 1998 when a group of rightwingers sledgehammered open a blocked tunnel in the Old City that leads south from the Muslim Quarter to the Western Wall—a source of great consternation to Muslims. Moskowitz has also bankrolled religious settlers in Arab areas of East Jerusalem, in an effort to solidify the annexation of Jerusalem and frustrate Arab hopes for the city. Note that Richard Perle and David Wurmser, who came up with the “Clean Break” proposal for Netanyahu to turn his back on the Oslo peace process, went from AEI to the Bush Administration, where they helped plan the Iraq war.
The point here is the way in which supporters of Israel’s right wing come and go in Washington. The inner circle of Netanyahu’s zealots include several people who play a significant role in forming our policies in the Middle East. This little circle has an agenda they are not very straightforward about: defeat the peace process, create “more facts on the ground,” i.e., more structures of colonialism in the West Bank, and frustrate Palestinian and moderate Israelis’ hopes for an equitable solution. This interest played an important role in the Bush Administration’s ideas about Iraq: install “democratic” regimes across the Arab world—Syria was to be next—and we can forget about the Palestinian issue.
The question that must be asked is whether this extremist religious agenda is in America’s interest. And why it is, that when Chuck Hagel or any other fairthinking American politician challenges that agenda, we are informed that they’re stepping on a political third rail—in the U.S.A. no less?
Get off the bad acid.
"The effort to marginalize Chuck Hagel … is really among the most hateful/disastrous aspects of the Israel lobby's effect in this country."
They listed his job, previous jobs and four quotes. There was not one word of commentary.
I once again ask the Observer to remove this blog.It is inaccurate and misleading. Netanyahu and Dore Gold may be familiar to Americans because of their appearances on television because of their good English. But Israelis have repeatedly rejected Netanyahu as their leader. Netanyahu is not the Israel Lobby.
Remove a blog because Netanyahu is implied to be very important in Israel, whereas …?
This suggestion says more about the fanaticism of some Israel supporters than anything I could ever make up.
Ok, the terrorist are bad as are the Iranians, but let's face it kids, there's an elephant in the room: Americans are not in control of their own policy anymore. Congress is micromanaged by the neocon-Zionist lobby. The independent news media is a joke. So the will of the few are imposed on the ignorant many. Where are you, Walter Cronkite? Remove this blog? Stifle any dissenting opinion? Shame, shame, shame.
I am not an Israel fanatic. But Mr. Weiss has his facts wrong. I think his blog is a breeding ground for hate.
Chuck Hagel is a fine man. But he is not as well known as Rudy, Hilary, and Condi.
Mr. Netanyahu does not speak for the country and hsa in fact be marginalized by his fellow countryman. So have his henchmen.
Hilarious. The poster demands NYO take down the site because it is critical of AIPAC and Israel.
Jeez, how come you can criticize France, the UK, or Slovenia and nobody demands the first amendment be revoked.
It is especially amusing when liberals, who happily criticize everything, get their undies twisted over the slightest criticism of Israel.
Does ethnicity trump everything?
Hilarious. The poster demands NYO take down the site because it is critical of AIPAC and Israel.
Jeez, how come you can criticize France, the UK, or Slovenia and nobody demands the first amendment be revoked.
It is especially amusing when liberals, who happily criticize everything, get their undies twisted over the slightest criticism of Israel.
Does ethnicity trump everything?
I am not an Israel fanatic. But Mr. Weiss has his facts wrong……..Laura
So what Laura. You can't lose a blog just for spreading lies to demonize Israel. In fact, that's the surest way to a promotion in the Mainstream Media.
Of course, if you even remotely criticize the Arab position you'll likely wind up shot dead like Hugo Van Gogh, or beheaded like Danny Pearl, or forced to convert to Islam (like Steve Centani). Just look at the recent reaction to the Pope's critique – a nun shot, churches burned on the West Bank. And look at the violent carnage following the Danish Cartoons – and the pathetic capitulation of CNN and others who refused to run them.
The fact is, Laura, our mainstream media are just a bunch of cowards caving in to the violent intimidation tactics of the Islamists. And that's why they overwhelmingly adopt the pro-Arab, anti-Israel slant. In the short run, its the easiest way to suck up to, and appease, the Islamist thugs.
So don't be too hard on Phil. He's just being the good "Dhimmi", and saving himself from the dreaded "Fatwa". Truly critical thinkers, like Hugo Van Gogh,may unfortunately be sitting with the saints. But Weiss has something better in store – 72 virgins! Now which would you choose?
I am a advocate of free speech. But the speech or writing has to be accurate.
Phil Weiss's blog is filled with factualinaccuracies.
Mr. Weiss has the right to write what he wants. But the Observer has a responsibility to show some balance in their coverage of the Middle East. With freedom comes responsibllity.
'Klansman' doesn't mean 'white Christian… 'Muslim' doesn't mean 'radical Islamic terrorist'… 'Jewish' does not mean 'Zionist'. Therefore, one can be anti-Klan without being anti white… anti terrorist without being anti Islamic… anti Zionist without being anti-Semitic. Feith, Perle, Kristol, Libby, Wolfowitz, Wurmser, Frum are Zionists who put Israel's national interest before America's. AIPAC and their fellow Zionist friends control our media and if a member of congress doesn't comply, AIPAC will have them 'scandalized'. As it stands, the U.S. gives $3-5 billion a year to a country with a population the size of Los Angeles and a land mass the size of New Jersey – Israel. In contrast, the U.S. gives the humongous and poor continent of Africa roughly $4 billion per year. Let's stop giving our country's wealth to the affluent country that is Israel. Let's stop paying for their universal health care when we have none of our own. Zionists are sucking our economy dry.
NATIONAL DEBT IS NOW: on January 29: $8,686,542,446,617.56
THOSE RESPONCIPLE AND INVOLVED
SHALL NOW PAY THEIR SHARE.
William H. Rehnquist spoke for the court:
Both tax exemptions and tax deductibility are a form of subsidy that is administered through the tax system. A tax exemption has much the same effect as a cash grant to the organization of the amount of tax it would have to pay on its income.
The significance of this decision is often overlooked. If tax exemption is a form of subsidy, then church property tax exemption is a clear violation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment. All that is necessary to make church property tax exemption a thing of the past is for an irate taxpayer who is tired of high taxes to file suit to force churches to pay their "fair share."
Tenth Circuit Court addressed, and held that "tax exemption is a privilege, a matter of grace rather than a right."
The question of tax exemption for churches is clear: the foundation has been laid for taxing church property and perhaps even church income.
As the budget deficits of the federal, state and local governments increase, the possibility of taxing church property also rises — despite the long history of tax exemption.
We are sick and tired of the "Zionist-Movement" the cost of the "WAR" they demanded, the amount of holdings & investments rather then any amount of return to the community. The threat of Falwell to use 200,000 preachers to preach his message from the pulpit is not only wrong it is unlimited use of propaganda!
The millions spent on foolish campaigns designed to shape or change public opinion in regard to this or that: divorce, birth control, the falseness of the Darwinian theory, or almost anything in connection with science and history! The blather about saints and cures and bringing all to Jesus, the while taxes are evaded and the scummy politicians whom they endorse, or even nominate and elect to office, proceed to rob the public in favor of the corporations and churches whom they serve! No wonder ignorance, no wonder illusion, when those with power in the religious field knowingly delude and mislead the masses! The things told them! That it is important to vote for this or that crook; uphold religion; it is good for the people to go to war, to put religion in the schools, to give into the hands of these mental bandits the care and education of all children, so that they may be properly enslaved by religion! (A slave, in my opinion, is the man who does not think for himself. A man with knowledge is not powerless.) But always with suave and polished words.
How about a Robertson or Bush Whisper! God has told me, and I will tell you, and you shall follow and sustain me as my servant who am the servant of God! SURE!
One would think from that that the Churches were a branch of the Government, a public institution, whereas they are only semipublic, being under the control of a special group of patrons, and as such should be taxed and made to pay the same as any other self-aggrandizing corporation.
The State now should not permit them to go tax free, and should, should it not? enjoy and participate in any money-making of this nature, which is certainly no legitimate function of religion. Then look close at the MONEY!!
Well now, church buildings alone in America, without parsonages, investments, securities, schools, orphanages, hospitals and monasteries, are valued in the trillions. Investments such as in Defense etc, also will be in the trillions. Do they ever cough up in crisis,
No they just manage the money from the congregation they solicit it from. Lets call it Alms instead of Tyethings.America now represented by the money-mad leaders who are dictating not only the economics but the philosophy of the country and using the religionists to help them. Or might it be the fool led by fools.
We will sue for tax fairness due to the last six years ofChurch involvement in Politics, openly judging peoplewith a different political view, telling a congregation they must support the republican party, and support an unjust "WAR".
Now pay for it, I left the Church because I'm proud to be a Democrat, American, a Christian, but no longer a member of any denomination that supports corruption and/or WAR. BLAME THE PAT ROBERTSONS AND JERRY FALWELLS FOR INVOLVING CHURCH & STATE.
I pay Taxes for your injustice, now you will also.
I REQUEST THE ACLU TO TAKE UP SUCH ISSUE
FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL THOSE PAYING SUCH
COST !!
STOP MAD COWBOY DISEASE:
WHY WE HAVE BECOME HATED & WHY WE WILL NOT WIN !!
If any citizen were to make a statement recommending
assassination, we would be picked up and thrown into
a jail, or sent to guantanamo bay.
Why is it a complete out of his mind jerk, like this
raving maniac PAT ROBERTSON, can go around
recommending an assassination, foretelling the future,
stating GOD told him about an attack is coming.
We know he is not out of step with the White-House,
but shouldn't he also face criminal charges like anyone else would? At least put him in an institution.
OF COURSE WE ALL KNOW THERE IS A LIST A
MILE LONG OF "ZIONIST" THAT BELONG LOCKED UP..
The Rev. Jerry Falwell said that he and several leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention would mobilize evangelical churches to oppose steps to give up any more territory to the Palestinians.
To get out the word on Israel, Falwell said, "There are about 200,000 evangelical pastors in America, and we're asking them all through e-mail, faxes, letters, telephone, to go into their pulpits and use their influence in support of the state of Israel and the prime minister." Which any one attending a Church knows they have done so. Political messages from most every pulpit accross our nation in support of the republican party, president Bush policy, and in complete support of the WAR for Israels interest not Americas.. Now pay taxes on all tax free property..
This comes at a time when Israel is under pressure from both the World (UN) and some American Jewish groups to break an impasse in the peace efforts.
Democrats in Congress have moved quickly – and commendably – to strengthen ethics rules. But truly groundbreaking reform was prevented, in part, because of the efforts of the pro-Israel lobby to preserve one of its most critical functions: taking members of Congress on free "educational" trips to Israel.
The pro-Israel lobby does most of its work without publicity. But every member of Congress and every would-be candidate for Congress comes to quickly understand a basic lesson. Money needed to run for office can come with great ease from supporters of Israel, provided that the candidate makes certain promises, in writing, to vote favorably on issues considered important to Israel. What drives much of congressional support for Israel is fear – fear that the pro-Israel lobby will either withhold campaign contributions or give money to one's opponent.
Pro-Israel groups worked vigorously to ensure that the new reforms would allow them to keep hosting members of Congress on trips to Israel. According to the Jewish Daily Forward newspaper, congressional filings show Israel as the top foreign destination for privately sponsored trips. Nearly 10 percent of overseas congressional trips taken between 2000 and 2005 were to Israel. Most are paid for by the American Israel Education Foundation, a sister organization of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the major pro-Israel lobby group.
New rules require all trips to be pre-approved by the House Ethics Committee, but Rep. Barney Frank (D) of Massachusetts says this setup will guarantee that tours of Israel continue. Ron Kampeas of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported consensus among Jewish groups that "the new legislation would be an inconvenience, but wouldn't seriously hamper the trips to Israel that are considered a critical component of congressional support for Israel."
What the pro-Israel lobby reaps for its investment in these tours is congressional support for Israeli desires. For years, Israel has relied on billions of dollars in US taxpayer money. Shutting off this government funding would seriously impair Israel's harsh occupation.
One wonders what policies Congress might support toward Israel and the Palestinians absent the distorting influence of these Israel trips – or if more members toured Palestinian lands. America sent troops to Europe to prevent the killing of civilians in the former Yugoslavia. But when it comes to flagrant human rights violations committed by Israel, the US sends more money and shields Israel from criticism.
Congress regularly passes resolutions lauding Israel, even when its actions are deplorable, providing it political cover. Meanwhile, polls suggest most Americans want the Bush administration to steer a middle course in working for peace between Israelis and the Palestinians.
Consider, too, how the Israel lobby twists US foreign policy into a dangerous double standard regarding nuclear issues. The US rattles its sabers at Iran for its nuclear energy ambitions – and alleged pursuit of nuclear arms – while remaining silent about Israel's nuclear-weapons arsenal.
Members of Congress may not be aware just how damaging their automatic support for Israel is to America's interest. At a minimum, US policies toward Israel have cost it valuable allies in the Middle East and other parts of the Muslim world.
If Congress is serious about ethics reform, it should not protect the Israel lobby from the consequences. A totally taxpayer-funded travel budget for members to take foreign fact-finding trips, with authorization to be made by committee heads, would be an important first step toward a foreign policy that genuinely serves America.
FAIR TAX
OUR MORALITY, PRINCIPLES, INTEGRITY, ETHICS,
AND COMMON SENCE, HAS BEEN BARTERED OR
BROKERED AWAY BY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
BUYING AND SELLING OUR GOVERNMENT..
THERE NOT ONLY IS A MANDATE, BUT AN OUT-RIGHT BATTLE GOING ON. WE WILL TAKE OUR
COUNTRY BACK. YOU ARE EITHER WITH US, OR AGAINST US. WE WILL FIGURE OUT WHICH YOU ARE.
Non-profit–better check wall street on that one….