Lately AIPAC, the primary Israel lobby in the U.S., has sent out two emails that seem to reflect fear about the p.r. beating Israel is about to take re Palestinian statehood. I publish excerpts below.
The first is from Howard Kohr, the lobby’s exec director, describing the Palestinian statehood initiative as an existential threat, one of several “attacks on Israel’s security… [that must] be considered an attack on America’s security.” So give us money so that we can make sure that America never abandons Israel diplomatically.
The second is from Ruby Rosenthal, recruiting recent college graduates to AIPAC’s cause and exposing the lobby’s anxiety that young Jews aren’t buying. You will see that the accompanying survey encourages graduates with the prospect of getting a job at AIPAC. Some folks are hiring!…
1. Kohr:
The reports out of Israel the last few weeks have been frightening: On Sept. 9, violent mobs attacked Israel’s Embassy in Cairo, forcing Israel to evacuate its entire diplomatic mission in Egypt. On Sept. 8, Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan threatened to use warships to escort the next flotilla attempting to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, deemed legal by a U.N. commission. On Sept. 4, the Palestinians rejected another U.S. appeal to resume peace talks with Israel and abandon their harmful bid at the U.N. to recognize a Palestinian state within the pre-1967 borders and with Jerusalem as its capital.
If you’re like many pro-Israel Americans, these events have you more scared for Israel’s existence then you’ve likely felt in many years. But as you watch these dangers continue to unfold, it is important to remember there is something you can do to help keep Israel safe. You can work with AIPAC, and help ensure that our leaders in Washington speak out clearly and unequivocally that the aggressions shown toward our ally Israel must immediately cease.
Please act now to support AIPAC and help ensure our leaders in Washington speak out for Israel At this dangerous time, the number one strategic answer to the threats facing Israel is for America to express – in every way it can – its unwavering, unshakable commitment to Israel. We must ensure that Congress speaks out. We must ensure that the administration speaks out. We must ensure that America stands by its full commitment to Israel’s security assistance for fiscal year 2012, which is vital for Israel to be able to defend herself.
And we must ensure that America continues to pledge 100% of its diplomatic support. We must do all of this, so that we can send a strong and loud message that America stands by Israel. And that any attacks on Israel’s security can be considered an attack on America’s security. Your renewed support today will provide the resources we need to work with Congress and the administration to stand with Israel at this critical moment …
Howard Kohr Executive Director
2. The Ruby Rosenthal email. Says my recently-graduated source: “Timing seems odd — and I’ve never gotten one of these questionnaires before, nor do I ever get emails. This is the first one I’ve gotten of the sort. Other ones were informing me of events, such as the ‘Summer Sabans’, but I’ve never seen anything like this out of them before. It has got to pertain to the UN bid and the terrible PR that Israel is going to be receiving for the recalcitrance in the months to come. They’re just laying the foundation for the student ‘fight back,’ but they know they’re losing.”
Greetings! My name is Ruby Rosenthal, and I’m AIPAC’s Campus Leadership Management Fellow. …
As we both know, graduating college, entering the professional community, and keeping active in the pro-Israel movement is a challenging feat. But at AIPAC, we are eager to help you as you make this transition. I encourage you to take a few moments to complete this survey. The information you provide to us will make it possible for us to connect you with your AIPAC Regional Office for local events, or with pro-Israel activists in your community, so that we can continue to work together to ensure the vitality of the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Now from that survey:
4. In what ways do you see yourself contributing to AIPAC in the future?
Making a financial contribution to AIPAC…
Joining an AIPAC young professional group in your city …
Lobbying local members of Congress …
Hosting a parlor meeting to involve your peers in the work of AIPAC …
Soliciting contributions for AIPAC…
Joining the AIPAC professional staff…
