In The New Republic, Leon Wieseltier writes:
A few days ago a friend of mine published a miserable piece on a matter
about which I care deeply, and I am of a mind to be withering about it.
The decline of The New York Times remains worthy of comment,
But Wieseltier chooses discretion. Because he's just back from Jerusalem, which bathed his spirit. I think the reference is transparent; he means Jeffrey Goldberg's gotterdamerung moment in the New York Times, in which he moved to the Walt and Mearsheimer position re The Israel Lobby. I said before that I think Goldberg is both opportunistic and brave–brave because he obviously spent some personal capital. And here, I reckon, is evidence that he has damaged an important friendship… This is to be expected. As Henry Siegman has pointed out ("Most of his brothers and sisters are so angered with his stance that he cannot discuss the issue with them"), as my Brooklyn friends pointed out, Jewish families are riven by Israel's inhuman treatment of Palestinians.
Marty Peretz has less impulse control than Wieseltier. Marty, what's the story?
I remain to be convinced that the position
of W&M is ever going to be acceptable in
America's public discourse on the Middle
East. If ever one of the three candidates
were to suggest a complete cessation of
aid to Israel, then perhaps I might be
inclined to believe, but, of course, they
all know whence comes the money.
"cessation of aid to israel"
the candidate would end up a candidate-non-candidate like nader, gravel, and paul. no mention, no debates(if a debate, few questions), no airtime.
all three good for america. bad for israel
Poor Leon. I don't think he can lay a glove on Jeff Goldberg. Leon is a niche writer, strictly New Republic and other Jewish magazines. Goldberg is the New Yorker and Atlantic. Goldberg is young. Leon is old. Jeff wins.
Clinton is more dependent on big Jewish donors and Obama. Ron Paul also has great fundraising ability and he likely wasn't supported by any pro-Israel donors.
Certain non-charismatic candidates are dependent upon Jewish donors like Haim Saban, but many others are not.