Chuck Schumer’s decision to oppose the Iran Deal is causing some fear among deal supporters that he has broken down the Democratic Party firewall of support for the deal by giving American Jews who are fencesitters an excuse to come out against it.
Indeed, the rightwing site Breitbart has a poll, conducted before Schumer’s announcement, saying that Jews are changing their minds and swinging against the deal. And Bill Kristol of the Emergency Committee for Israel says: “Administration wanted Schumer to wait till the end if he was going to be against deal. His announcing now opens a path to 67 (& 290) votes [against the deal].”
From the start, I have focused on the extent to which the politics of the deal are an inside-Jewish game. The White House has at times treated the matter as such, with special and lengthy briefings for Jewish leaders and politicians. “White House begs to send its top officials to brief 700 Aipac activists,” Laura Rozen writes, underlining that dynamic. And two of the three officials the White House sent to that meeting, Wendy Sherman and Adam Szubin, “who also happened to be two of the key negotiators, are Jewish,” writes Ilan Goldenberg, a former Obama official who is Jewish and has been an outspoken advocate for the agreement. Of course, the fact they’re Jewish is not just a coincidence. Pro-Israel Jews are just that important in the power structure and Middle East policymaking.
Today Jeremy Ben-Ami of the liberal Zionist group J Street, which is working overtime for Obama on the deal, tried to hold the line on Jewish support. Here is a portion of his email, emphasizing the large numbers of Jewish backers of the deal.
I know Senator Schumer’s decision is causing concern among the deal’s supporters. But recognize this: the growing coalition in support of the agreement is impressive in quality and depth…
Florida’s Bill Nelson and New York’s Kirsten Gillibrand — who between them represent almost 2.5 million Jewish Americans in Congress — both came out this week courageously arguing that the agreement is the best option to stop the Iranian nuclear program and safeguard American and Israeli security.
And several Jewish and staunchly pro-Israel members are among the most outspoken advocates for the deal, including Congress’s senior Jewish voice, Rep. Sander Levin, and the Ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee California’s Adam Schiff….
Notice that some of J Street’s appeal involves bolstering Israeli militants:
Throughout the Congressional recess, J Street will continue our multi-million dollar ad campaign to educate and inform undecided Americans and Members of Congress about the merits of the deal. And, critically, we’ll bring veteran Israeli national security leaders to the States to explain why this deal is by far the best option for the US and for Israel.
Make no mistake, some of these security leaders are likely war criminals. They are a necessary part of the pro-deal’s lobby, given the constitution of the power structure. Jim Fallows and David Bromwich (neither of whom is a Zionist) touts their support. But when the deal goes through, its significance in American politics and Jewish politics, is that the neoconservatives will be routed. J Street will gain immeasurable prestige politically; the Israel lobby will be reconstituted as a liberal Zionist lobby. Bill Kristol will have to get some other sales job.
But non-Zionist, pro-boycott organizations have also worked hard for this deal, notably Jewish Voice for Peace. The rejection of rightwing Zionism/neoconservatism will open the next chapter in the Jewish ideological debate over Israel. BDS– boycott, divestment, and sanctions– will be openly debated in the 2016 election campaign.
“BDS…will be openly debated in the 2016 campaign.”
Trivially true. It’s debated now, but not by politicians, most of whom would denounce it if the subject came up.
RE: “But when the deal goes through, though, its significance in American politics and Jewish politics, is that the neoconservatives will be routed. J Street will gain immeasurable prestige politically; the Israel lobby will be reconstituted as a liberal Zionist lobby.” ~ Weiss
MY COMMENT: I am very much for the
dealagreement, but there is a long-term silver lining in the event it is defeated by the Likud Lobby. For one thing, it would really drive a wedge between Europe and the United States. I believe the EU would then feel free to ignore the US’ position on Israel/Palestine. I also believe there would be a good possibility of a backlash here in the US.In addition, BDS would really take off big time!
“And two of the three officials the White House sent to that meeting, Wendy Sherman and Adam Szubin, “who also happened to be two of the key negotiators, are Jewish,” writes Ilan Goldenberg, a former Obama official who is Jewish and has been an outspoken advocate for the agreement. Of course, the fact they’re Jewish is not just a coincidence. Pro-Israel Jews are just that important in the power structure and Middle East policymaking.”
US foreign policy in MENA has really only been an abysmal failure, until this negotiated agreement. One has to question if it’s because of the importance of these “Pro- Israel Jews” in the WH, in Congress, and in the many think tanks that also lobby on behalf of Israel in the US.
Thanks for the article, Phil.
This reminds me of the time before the attack on Iraq. Polls showed that the majority of Americans did not want to attack Iraq, then came the neocons and the American zionists in the Bush administration, and the media, who started the campaign of false information and the demonizing of Iraq, making it the bogeyman. After weeks of beating the war drums, and making Americans feel Saddam Hussein was out to get them (they were warned of missiles hitting our shores too), the tide turned the most Americans were ready to unilaterally shock and awe a nation, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians.
All that to topple one man, and decimate a country. Iraq still cannot recover from that blow.
These war criminals now focus on the next victim, Iran. Same BS propaganda but different country.
Some of the poll questions are biased to say the least. Ideally Americans especially the Jewish folk should be asked:
“”Israel is an important ally, the only democracy in the region, and should we support it EVEN IF IT HURTS AMERICA” ?
That would be an interesting to know. Schumer and his ilk should be asked the same thing too.