Yes Virginia, there is an Israel lobby. Greg Sargent reports:
In a major foreign policy speech this afternoon, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will take direct aim at Arab states for not doing their part towards securing Mideast peace, demanding that “all sides” do more to crack down on the “cultures of hate, intolerance and disrespect that perpetuate conflict,” according to an advance excerpt I’ve obtained.
“Nobody spoke in favor of Judea and Samaria as rightful places of
Jewish settlement,” said Jason Isaacson, Washington director for the
American Jewish Committee. “The concerns that were expressed were
concerns about the way he has expressed himself on these issues, in
ways that will not necessarily advance peace.”…Instead of criticizing the substance of administration policies, the
strongest critics at Monday’s meeting complained that the president is
too willing to express disagreements with Israel in public, which they
say gives the Palestinians and the other Arab states a free pass and
undermines support for U.S. policy within Israel.Obama
vigorously defended that policy, saying that a public airing of
differences between close friends can only bolster their friendship.“What
we heard from the administration is that the president believes he has
an ability to open up to the world in a way that his predecessors
didn’t,” said Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation
League. “He argues that by reaching out and showing a different
approach, we can bring peace and security — he used the word
‘normalization’ — to Israel and the Arabs.”Foxman pressed Obama
to keep policy disputes between the two governments private, arguing
that perceived differences between the two allies can be exploited by
Palestinian leaders not interested in making compromises.The president did not back down an inch, he said.
“He
spelled out that he has a strategy — and the strategy is to tell it
like it is. Tell your friends the truth. The problem is, some of us
feel he is not telling the truth in a fair way."
Look, the Darkies need to be educated before they can be trusted with a Palestinian State, OK? Hillary, State Secretary of the Ultimate Settler State (the Settler Dream Made Good!) understands that better than anyone else. And of course the Palestians have to stop whining about the Naqba, that probably never really happened anyway, I mean the Land was Empty and then Arab Armies transmitted broadcasts to make it, well… even more empty! Hillary, you're a walking embarrassment!
Stinking fucking bitch.
It makes sense. They've done some help, most notably Egypt and Jordan, that already have diplomatic relations with Israel. The rest haven't added their value yet. Peace ISN'T constructed by dissent. Dissent is at most information, to undertake next steps.
Let's hope it's good cop/bad cop and nothing more. Though nothing surprises me.
“Nobody spoke in favor of Judea and Samaria as rightful places of Jewish settlement,” said Jason Isaacson, Washington director for the American Jewish Committee. “The concerns that were expressed were concerns about the way he has expressed himself on these issues, in ways that will not necessarily advance peace.”… Pardon me….but what the hell do any of these groups know about making peace?!? Their vision of how to achieve it is ridiculously, comically one-sided. This is depressing. Getting rid of all settlements is a basic, elementary step toward resolving this conflict. It's just one step. There are many more. But it is inarguably essential. And listen to the hysteria from these groups. It wouldn't bother me if they weren't succeeding….
They aren't worried about the 'public discussion' on Israel I-P empowering the Arabs, they are worried about how it wil educate the public in America and make people oppose the US largess and favortism toward Israel. What was that quote about the "lobby"…that is was "like a nightflower that could only bloom in the dark"? Well the nightflower has been exposed to sunlight, it's wilting. That's what they are panicing about.
There is a big push for Arab states to open up commercial relations with Israel. Hillary will probably push that as part of her counterbalance to this awful pressure on the Israel lobby. Hillary 'll probably have to emphasize the "promise" of trade rather than the track record of how Israel approaches trade: 1. 1983-1984 Israel lobbies for "free trade" with US. 2. 1984 AIPAC obtains classified 300 page report with data from all US industries opposed to agreement (including trade secrets, report still classified) 3. 1985 Congress passes deal despite opposition from US industry. 4. 1986-2005 Israel begins rash of industrial espionage against the US companies. 5. 2008 US cumulative deficit with Israel reaches $71 billion, Israel keeps ag and food goods locked out. 6. 2009 Israel continues to rip off US pharmaceutical patents, selling into American market until law enforcement shuts down piracy. http://www.rttnews.com/Content/TopStories.aspx?No... Israel is such a great trading partner. Hope the Arabs think so too.
By keeping dispute as between Obama and Israel private the American people will not get any news about the core issues and how they affect all Americans and peace in the world. Further, by not airing dirty laundry so, the Arabs will get no whiff of fresh air that might make them actually start to believe the US may not only care about Israel and actually wish to no longer continue to demonize the Palestinians. Obama wishes to tell the truth in a fair way and he will gain public support if he does so–exactly the contrary of what the Jewish leaders tell him. In short, the Jewish leaders want to keep it all in the back room. They could give a hoot about American interests. Obama must realize this. Organized Jewry does not want any intervention. They prefer addiction and paranoia, so long as others pay for it endlessly.
Exactly. Obama appeased the Jewish leaders by sending Hillary out to say a pox on all you Arab peace obstructionists. She was giddy with joy at the mission, knowing it can only help her with the Jews, that is, with her fat-ankled undying hope to be POTUS. Obama bent, but he did not break completely–so far. He actually does have the power to change foreign policy by bringing the issues to the American public over the heads of our whore congress. We will see if he bends more as the economy keeps sliding down the drain and his transfers of wealth to the same old banking system people affords little stimulus.
The most interesting thing about Clinton's speech is that it contradicts the rumor mill. Which at the moment seem to target Rahm and Axelrodt as the ultimate stringpullers in the Obama admin, with the State Department supposedly completely left out of the Foreign policy loop. Here the Christian Zionist view, I am told, http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/... The senior U.S. official said Emanuel is most heavily involved in drafting policy, describing him as a sort of policy CEO, while Axelrod works to brand White House decisions. …. The diplomatic sources said Obama is involved in the decision-making process but that he is particularly obsessed with the Palestinian issue. The sources declined to describe Obama as anti-Israel, but they painted him as heavily pro-Palestinian. Amazing Poor Bill Kristol via M. J. Rosenberg: http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/... http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2009/... Barack Obama, Rahm Emanuel, and David Axelrod, on the other hand — they’re seriously self-reflective individuals. Look at their wide experiences at peace and in war. Look how they’ve had to grapple with life and death decisions for decades.
From Taegan Goddard's Political Wire ~ picking the good bits from a Politico piece.– and putting in his own little nugget:
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/07/15/clin... The neocon drama Queen lives on.
Jewish colonization of Occupied Palestinian Territory is currently the primary obstacle to peace in the region, and the spreading corruption of pro-colony extremists in both the United States and Israel are a growing security threat my country. I'm all for demanding that “all sides do more to crack down on the cultures of hate, intolerance and disrespect that perpetuate conflict”. However, this is far more of a call to treat a symptom than to treat the malady. Do you seriously think improving perceptions of Israel among citizens in Arab countries is going to have the slightest effect on Israeli creeping ethnic cleansing and colonization? While these crimes continue, do Israelis and pro-colonization Jews deserve to be held in higher esteem? I think not. Arab states do have a share of blame to shoulder for the current impasse, but they are not the ones spitting in our faces, after decades of massive American sacrifice for Israel, in response to requests for a mere freeze in colony growth.
Is Europe really willing to express its aversion to Israeli settlements in the West Bank by slapping customs duties on products made in them? A tax court in Hamburg might soon provide an answer to this touchy issue. Will EU Penalize Exports from Israeli Settlements? http://original.antiwar.com/frykberg/2009/07/14/i... *** The prosecution said it made the decision not to try Ze'ev Braude because such a move could expose classified information that might harm the security of the state. Braude, 51, was filmed by the human rights group B'Tselem opening fire on the Palestinians at close range during the evacuation of a disputed house in Hebron. Charges dropped against settler filmed shooting Palestinians http://original.antiwar.com/frykberg/2009/07/14/i... *** The success of Lebanese intelligence officials in uncovering the network is attributed in part to advanced surveillance equipment provided by the U.S., which supports the March 14 coalition. Since the 2006 war the U.S. has provided Lebanon with about $1 billion in training and technology assistance, including $410 million to strengthen its police and intelligence services. Israeli Spy Ring Threatens Fragile Peace http://original.antiwar.com/frykberg/2009/07/14/i...
I think in the long term, the Arabs and the Palestinians are in the stronger position, so I really do hope they ignore Hillary's idiotic bleating. The stupidest thing has always been that they have not put someone like Mustafa Bargouti out front to say things like– "there are things like self-deterimination, basic human-rights, territorial integrity that there is no way we can compromise on. These are basic things that no human should ever have to compromise on." The Pals have been stupid, stupid, stupid not to do so from the very beginning. World opinion is shifting– the more extremist Israel gets, the more marginalized it will get. At this point there is no rush– I do hope that the idiotic Fatah leadership does not cave.
This is actually poetry. A Land Without a People (That Needs to be Cleared of People) for a People Without a Land.
Why does Mr. Witty think that Arab states should take the "next steps" when Israel won't even take the first step of stopping settlement construction? Memo to Witty: Saudi Arabia loses nothing ifby refusing normalization with Zionland. And by the way, haven't your neo-con friends been telling us that Saudi Arabia is already an "ally" of Israel. You know, it's hard keeping all this hasbara straight.
Didn't you know that "good faith" brokers only disagree with one side publicly?
EVery day China is getting stronger. If you were Arab, wouldn't you rather the Chinese were involved in the Peace Process? I don't think China has an AIPAC.
I'm certain that she is simply following policy laid down by Obama, so if you are going to call someone an embarrassment, then, as Witty said in another context, Obama is the man.
Conspiracy theories about "Big Jews" The new and powerful Z Street has cracked the J street cohesiveness
You ignore the Oslo Process. In 15 years of it, Israel has complied with all agreements and the Palestinean Authority has not yet complied with a single clause of a single agreement they have signed. Can you name ANYTHING that the Palestineans have done in compliance with Oslo???
Hillary Clinton intends to crack down on the “cultures of hate, intolerance and disrespect that perpetuate conflict.” I think that MondoLies is now an official target. The US govt, no less, is coming after you…. :- )
Israeli jails are full of Mustafas Bargoutis. When Germans invaded Poland in 1939 within hours they arrested the top people: politicians, businessmen, doctors, lawyers, artists etc, using pre-prepared lists of names and addresses. Mustafas Bargoutis are such a pain for Occupiers.
Mythbuster, You lie about my stated positions. I've stated consistently here that I applaud the insistence that settlement expansion cease. The purpose of requesting/insisting that Arab states make steps, are that they eliminate the obstacles to fair negotiation. Jake is innaccurate about both Israel's and Palestinian compliance with Oslo accords. Israel did some, and stopped complying. And the PA did some and also reneged on some.
"Z Street" is at best a mosquito.
more like good cop/bad cop/um, Hillary, Mr. Saban's on the phone….
And the elephant is AIPAC et al. The average American is the stomped and bled dupe. So vat's neu?
We will divert her to a temple near you.
Apparently, you don't consider all the coordinating they do with the GOI as anything. Sigh. Why haven't you just moved to a settlement? Mentally, you are already there.
I didn't lie about your stated positions. I said: "Why does Mr. Witty think that Arab states should take the "next steps" when Israel won't even take the first step of stopping settlement construction?" That statement is absolutely true.
Yes and you should be worried.
And now you know why America has to strong-arm Arabs into these deals with Israel. Have you ever asked a Jordanian or Egyptian if they are happy about the "free trade" deals they got with the US that include requirements for Israeli content?
The globally reviled Hillary has always been repulsive, though Obama seems determined to sink to her pandering level.
Hey Jake, the police called, they need their buttons polished.
Hate speech is routine at Friday sermons… at Mosques around the world. You won't hear about it here at MondoLies. I wonder why that is…
How do you know what I "think"? I want progress. It takes MULTIPLE players to move it on. Saudi Arabia and other moderate Islamic states can STOP the effort by staying on the sidelines. I'd rather there be progress.
Phil, Do you get how much uglier this place has gotten in the last few days? A portion of it is the presence of Eitan, who ignores all points by others, a zealot, pretending to be a practitioner of Torah. But, a portion of it is your change in tone. You're not writing about Herzl anymore in respectful tones, but only the "backbone" of dissent. But, the dissent is malevolent, not informative, escalatory.
The Palestinians have no cause for anger just because israeli filth have invaded their homes, destroyed their crops, burned their children alive with phosphorus and caged the entire population in a miserable open-air prison.
Thank you from an Israeli! Most of your comments expressed reality. In our region there is no reality. We have dozens of Arab nations, two Palestinian factions, 33 political parties in Israel, and The United Nations all presenting different answers to the same questions. To the individual who referred to Israelis as filth; 25% of Israelis are Muslims(pre-1967). Are they filth? Israel occupies 00000 % of Gaza and most Israelis (88%) do not want the West Bank. Do not write trash in public; as it hurts the Palestinians. You give ammunition to the radicals on both sides. Is that what you want? Hamas used human shields in the war. What are they? Earl in Haifa
maybe suicide bombing was not a great strategy for Hamas. The repercussions seem very severe. I think it's time for Palestinian to try the peaceful non-violent approach favored by Mandela and Ghandi.
Hello and welcome. This blog needs more Israeli commentators. You are certainly right about the pointless rude comments.
There was nothing non-violent about the ANC and Mandela. And lovelyisraelis, seriously, quit it. I know you're pissed. Believe me I am too, but just spewing insults just drives away potential allies.
I remember feeling physically ill when I read about Hitler's plans for Poland. Wipe out all the intellectuals, professionals, and political/religious leaders, and keep the rest as semi-literate slaves/helots. Eastern Europe's history is so dark I think most Americans can't even begin to imagine it. Did you know, though, that it is becoming a creative center in the computer gaming world? *The Witcher* was made in Warsaw, sold well over a million copies worldwide, and won a number of awards. No one in the gaming world makes Polish jokes anymore, except affectionately!
The Arab countries you name have taken steps, the Arabs as a whole subsequently came up with a plan, and Israel won't even unconditionally agree to freeze all settlement activity–the ball's in the Israeli's court by any objective observation. (That's not even mentioning the settlements should be uprooted according to everyone but the influential Jews-Israelis. ) The Arab countries cannot ignore the prevailing sentiment in their citizen population. At least a freeze on settlements would allow those (tyrannical) regimes to say to their own people, "Hey the Israelis' froze their settlements in the occupied land, so it's our turn to take the next step towards justice and peace."
And in synagogues around the world. You won't hear about it in the MSM. I wonder why that is?
Yep. Phil got a good dose of reality over there in the Middle East while you were living in your goy-protected cocoon in your gated suburban community. Yep. Eitan acts as you describe and he's the reason this place has gotten uglier, not Phil's reporting from your home front.
Hi. Welcome! Many of us (I'm a Gentile) on this blog agree and do not call names such as "filth." What you say is true. I only add that the 26 young IDF veterans recently testified that the IDF used Palestinians as human shields also. Americans are very concerned as we've given a fat blank check to Israel for scores of years.
Richard, I dare you to NAME ONE CLAUSE OF ONE AGREEMENT OF ANYTHING THE PAL AUTHORITY EVER SIGNED that they have complied with. Oslo is based on Land for Peace. I always said that this was an absurd formula, but that's what they built everything on. First, Gaza and Jericho was handed over to the PA. Terrorism increased. Then they gave Ramallah and other WB areas to the PA. Terrorism increased. Shimon Peres, thinking the PA didn't have enough, gave even more land. Terrorism increased. The Israeli voters got tired of Peres a decade ago and elected Netanyahu. Pressed by Bill Clinton, he gave them Hevron and more. Terrorism increased. Land for peace, right? You can't name a SINGLE COMMITMENT of the Pal Authority that they have complied with, though Israel has given them more and more and more land. QED.
Joe, Because what you imagine doesn't exist?
There were no "26 testimonies". There was an anonymous and slanderous report that provided no details at all, no names, dates, places, nothing. There were NO eyewitnesses. It was all hearsay.
You need to keep up with current events. There are routine, ongoing, non-violent protests in the Occupied Territories, met with Israeli tear gas, police batons, rubber bullets and sometimes lethal ammunition. Civilians are rounded up and thrown in prison by the THOUSANDS and today languish in Israeli prisons (where they are tortured). Please get you facts straight.
Earl is certainly WRONG in everything he says. It is in fact, the ISRAELIS NOT the Palestinians who routinely make use of human shields, according to Amnesty, Bt'selem etc. He's also lying about Gaza which is under TOTAL israeli control. Israel is responsible for the well being of the Gazans who legally are UNDER ISRAELI OCCUPATION. Enough filthy israeli lies. I call them that because that is what they are.
Human shields are people forced against their will to act as cover for military operations. That is the meaning of the term. There is only one party in the conflict guilty of this practice and the party is the disgusting israelis. Sorry…but facts are facts.
Palestinian to English dictionary: Non-violent protest = violent attack by stone throwing mob.
Why does this blog need more Israeli commentators? So they can spread their lies and filth? Earl is the same as the others. First he says there are so many players and no one can agree on a plan for peace. An obvious lie. The consensus is expressed year after year and decade after decade in the UN general Assembly. The entire world stands on one side, Israel/US on the other. The Arab League, PLO, Hamas all have agreed to the Intl consensus. Israel refuses. It is a lie to say no one can agree on the blueprint for peace. It is a Nazi lie to blame the suffering and horror of the Palestinians on their elected leadership. It is a Nazi lie to accuse the Palestinians of the practice of human shielding when in fact it is Israel that uses human shields, including children, as exposed by Bt'Selem, Amnesty and HRW.
Yes he Oslo Oslo Process, that Netenyahu and AIPAC tried derail. How could anyone forget? Even at the height of the Oslo peace process, Israel more than doubled the number of Jews it moved to live in the West Bank, raising fundamental questions among the Palestinians as to whether Israel was more interested in grabbing land than peace. http://www.counterpunch.org/watzal03112009.html "Oslo had to be tried. But today it has to be clear that from the Palestinian point of view, Oslo was a deception. [Palestinian leader Yasser] Arafat did not change for the worse, Arafat simply defrauded us. He was never sincere in his readiness for compromise and conciliation." http://www.counterpunch.org/watzal03112009.html "The Oslo years were the best of the colonial settlement project; the number of Israeli settlers doubled in the Palestinian Occupied Territories. " http://www.counterpunch.org/watzal03112009.html "Accordingly, Netanyahu rubbishes every peace initiative offered by Israel. His reaction to Yitzhak Rabin's decision to sign the mild and moderate Oslo accords with Yasser Arafat reveals the depth of his opposition to compromise. He warmly addressed crowds that chanted "Rabin is a Nazi" and "through blood and fire, Rabin shall expire". He called the former prime minister "a traitor", shortly before Rabin was murdered by a Jewish fundamentalist who agreed." hari/johann-hari-the-nightmare-of-netanyahu-returns-1547608.html
Richard Witty, you have not adressed my challenge to you. It's quite simple. I repeat it here: "Can you name ANYTHING that the Palestineans have done in compliance with Oslo??? " There is not a SINGLE COMMITMENT the Pal Authority has complied with – and many agreements they have explicitly and flagrantly violated (e.g. the terrorist Karin-A weapons ship, the disallowed use of machine-guns, the violations in number of weapons they possess, etc.) Israel has given the PA more and more and more land… and the PA has not reciprocated with a SINGLE move toward peace in 15 years. This is why even LEFT WING ISRAELIS just want to be rid of the Pals. No one here believes there will be peace with them within 2 generations – at a minimum. If you have any information to the contrary, I would be most appreciative of hearing it.