American Jews eye Obama's 'anti-Israel' appointees

The pro Israel lobby in the US and across the world must stop politicizing every appointment that is made by the Obama administration. Anyone that isn't in the corner of Israel is attacked and or labeled anti-Semitic, enough is enough already. The longer Israeli supporters continue this practice the worst it will be for the state of Israel. People all over the world have had enough of the right wing radical Zionist groups and their militant like agendas. If you're not with us you are considered an enemy of Israel, that is the furthest thing from the truth. Israeli supporters have been attacking American Jews that have an open mind to peace and stability in the region for years, that practice must stop. Many of my Jewish friends are horrified by some of the actions the Israeli government the IDF and now the illegal settlers are taking against Arabs and Palestinians, Israeli Palestinians are treated as second class citizens. Palestinians in the West bank are treated even harsher.

"Ahmadinejad struts the world stage and screams out the world needs us ,not us the world ,we will have the nuclear bomb ,and no-one will stop us." - Joshua #7 When has Ahmadinejhad EVER stated he wants a bomb, let alone strutting around claiming that no one can stop him? In fact can you give me any references stating that any senior official in the Islamic Republic has ever mentioned building a bomb? Iran has always maintained it's nuclear aspirations are for peaceful purposes only. Now whether you believe that or not is a different matter but don't go around spouting blatant falsehoods either.

Can you do that in Iran ( Persia) today? what you think of me, or what I think of you isn't relative to the subject. Frankly, I don't care about the pathology of your sympathy of terroristic causes or of your efforts to justify trying to destroy Israel. Examining & justifying evil isn't my job, it apparently is yours.

AIPAC is totally out of control. bye bye special relationship.

How sickening? The troops are all on the other side today and Israel is on the wrong side of the law and history.... Nothing is going to change the eventual outcome of this. It speaks for itself.....Dutch

obama haters are rampid here cause he doesn t apease to apac

Same old, same old. Who are you kidding? Wolves in sheep's clothing. They may criticize Israel...but I wouldn't buy it for a second. Obama is making it look like he is balancing appointees. If your point was accurate, then why pick Zionists again and again? Also, his inner circle does not even represent American demographics. And as for Zionists criticizing Obama...come on...all the hot wars for Israel continue...and the wars against Pakistan and Iran are heating up. Obama is for a "greater Israel" just like all the presidents since after Kennedy. Zionists control the Fed, the White House and the President. The hate law was just passed - the witch hunts area about to begin. Nice try guys. Absolute power corrupts absolutely and this Age of the Zionists is proving not much changes when it comes to power. Absolutely!

Orin will never be questioned, http://www.tabletmag.com/arts-and-culture/music/21886/eight-days-of-hanukkah-video/

Let's remember George Washington's farewell address: Excessive partiality for one foreign nation and excessive dislike of another cause those whom they actuate to see danger only on one side, and serve to veil and even second the arts of influence on the other. Real patriots, who may resist the intrigues of the favorite, are liable to become suspected and odious, while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people to surrender their interests. Sound familiar at all?

petra , have you ever thought why a lot of muslims are against america? has it ever occurred to you that its our undying support of apartheid israel? i am christian and i know the old testament was written by jews . did you know that ?

I think that any one ho pretends one thing and dos anther deserves to be gone permanently do to the fact that at the end of the day duplicity leads to danger and death sow if the initiator of the act disappears many others are saved

He started doing so and with vengeance with Israel. It was necessary for him to do so; specially when he failed to make any change in Iraq & Afghanistan. In the election the US public misunderstood Obama ! He did not make it clear to the electorates that change is a two carriage way. It goes to both directions. He started where Bush's finished & now the President making the change going back. The public failed to notice that change is both ways i.e back and forward, & both ends the same : No Exist. He called his policy with Israel through Michael "The US stratedy in the Middle East" ! Obama made a correction by himself when he said: "Israel is above any US strategy" (to that effect). Israel is waiting for the President amendment to be applied into solid reality !

Welcome to the Novis Ordi Seculorum! Only The Law engraved in Stone Tablets lasts into Eternity, all the rest will fade away due time...

Is it, why did n't he cut them Billions off?

Thanks GOD that Pres. OBAMA is not a puppet on Strings, like our previous Puppets. Good old Obama do your works as to your conscience, not from anything else. Dear Mr President, stopping the sufferings of the Palestinians will earn you lots of REWARDS from OUR LORD THE GOD ALMIGHTY.Amen

Money is the root of all evil. Most of US Law maker are corrupt and blind. They do everything for money.

one of the biggest reasons why America supports Israel, the Christians belief in bible prophecy. It really doesn't matter about Obama, there's mans will and then, there's the will of G-d. Guess who wins and who chose Israel? Certainly not Obama. Certainly not the Muslim enemy.

Obama maybe a problem but, the American people support Israel all the way. The choice is easy. Once you've known freedom, nothing else will do. America loves Israel. Always has, always will.

No doubt Chuck Hagel is what you say. Highly decorated in Vietnam, Officer and a Gentleman. However J Street is a different story. Maybe you should read up on J Street and their fuzzy agenda vis a vis modern day Israel. Then again there are American Jews who believe that Israel should simply close down and move to the Gobi Desert, some are in J Street. Get my drift , dude.? Have a nice sunny day in Florida.

American Jews eye Obama's 'anti-Israel' appointees ... The analyses of this writer lack any sophiticated analysis of American political reality More so, writing about the pro-Israeli lobby, it is a thankless task.. You might as well write about the pro-Egyptian lobby. Egypt is the second largest recipient of US aid

Let's not forget that the VAST majority of supporters of right wing Israel are Christian dispensationalists. This is NOT a small lobby controlling US foreign policy, but a sizeable percentage of the American populace who believes that Israel should be a Jewish state for theological reasons. Many Europeans don't really understand this, but there are ten times more Christian zionists in America than there are Jewish zionists in Israel. Most Israelis aren't zionists. They believe that Israel should be a state of its citizens, rather than a "Jewish" state. Most Israelis are secular "post Zionists" who desire a constitution separating synagogue from state. The Christian zionists from Texas and Mississippi etc disagree with this idea.

Israel and America are close allies even under the most liberal minded of presidents. Obama's chief of staff is Rahm Emmanuel, and American Jew who served in the IDF. I am so tired of listening to Israelis cry about a president who actually puts a little pressure on them. If you hate it so much, then refuse all the aid that my tax dollars send you next year. This is, by the way, from a moderate American Jew with a deep love for Israel and a deep dislike for right-wing, settler nutjobs.

When are the Americans going to wake up and realise that the zionist lobby is anti-American?

The terms "anti Israel," or "pro-Israel" are misleading. A Chinese dissident who was tortured for five years may love China but still be against the Chinese government. Therefore, you cannot really call this person "Pro China" or "Anti China." In the same way, someone who disliked president Bush during his administration wasn't in any way "anti- American." The same is true of Israel. Rahm Emanuel isn't "anti- Israel," but he probably disagrees with many aspects of Israeli policy.

Thought control is when you curtail someone's free speech at the point of a gun, arresting and locking them up for expressing their views. In the United States, our citizens are encouraged to speak their minds if they disagree with someone. I'm not up on the particularities of British law, but we have an amendment to our constitution which allows for free speech called the 1st amendment. Lobbying is an expression of this right. Therefore, Chuck Hagel is allowed to say whatever he thinks, and those who dislike him have that right as well. Controversial political decisions in the US are almost always played out in the arena of ideas before acted upon.

"Why are we allowing Likudniks to run our country? Why are there morons in our country who think Likudniks are running it?

1. Israel is not the only Democracy in the ME, and if it were, who cares? We're a Constitutional Republic and Democracies always turn into mob rule. You might not treat women like 2nd class citizens, but you certainly do treat Palestinians horribly. 2. The US and Israel have helped encourage Islamic extremism. It makes it easier to dehumanize and kill. 3. We were already stupid enough to attack Iraq for Israel, destroy our economy, our standing in the world and over 5,000 soldiers. You want more? You want us to attack Iran now? For their nuclear aspirations when you won't admit your own stockpile? That's insanity. 4. You do have great intel capabilities, we should know, you spy on us all the time! Yeah, it really is a no-brainer. Israel should mean no more or less to us than France. If the manipulation of my country continues, you'll continue to build hostility-and that is NOT anti-semitism.

I don't think so. Certainly it is not in our national interest, but importantly, it is not in our ethical or moral interest either. Israel is not a particularly democratic state--it gave up its right to that label some time ago. To maintain its status as a "Jewish State" (which sounded OK a couple of generations ago), it has to be anti-democratic by definition. And it certainly is that in practice. What it should be is simply a country that is very welcoming to Jews from around the world, period! And it has evolved into a very theocratic state. Fundamentalist theocratic state at that. Not very attractive philosophically in 2009. History, dear Israel, has passed you by.

thank you Avshalom!!!!!!!!1 I wish people would see what anti-Semitism is and do not use it for every f*****n context !!!!!!! Israel an anti-Semitism are two different things Israel is a country responsible for its actions not a religious state!!!!!!!!!!!!!period.... peace and common sense hopefully will win......

The ADL in the US is forcing the so called "anti-hate" legislation in Congress. You better watch what you say about Jews and Israel.

A watchful eye is necessary. Hell somebody competent might sneak in there.

Being anti-settlement and pro peace based on a two state solution where the security and dignity of life are equal for both Jews and Palestinians is NOT anti-Israel. It is for many of us the most sane, moral, and PRO-ISRAEL policy one could have. For MANY of us Jewish Israelis, Barak Obama's is the best administration we could hope for -- for us and not anyone else. Jews have led the struggles for democracy and equality throughout history. What a shame and pity that we of all peoples on this earth should should now be creeping towards apartheid with our eyes closed -- or are they wide open?

Many American Jews believe in human rights, and the one should not be simply oppressed because one was deemed as "other" because many American Jews remember historically that many Jews were treated as others worthy of oppression, and that's why many Jews in America supported the civil rights movement. It's not in the spirit of supporting labor unions and civil rights as many American Jews did, to support Israel in every single case and harass American politicians. Most American Jews are Americans first just as most American Muslims are Americans first. Some Jews and Muslims think in a separated way from society just as some splinter Evangelicals. Do they represent most Jews? No. These are some American Jews who use money and power in ways people spoke out against in the Jewish community. It's improper behavior.

To those Americans who question support for Israel, I would argue that being pro-Israel is in the national interests of the US. Israel is the only true democracy in the middle east, one that doesn't for example prevent women from driving or from owning property. It is a bulwark against Islamic extremism's encroachment, and in particular is the only remaining serious counterbalance to the power of Iran in the region, now that Iraq has been decimated. As much as I do not favor spilling blood for oil, the reality is that US interests for oil in the region would be seriously damaged were Israel to cease to exist as a vital ally. Israeli intelligence capabilities are bar none and provide essential national security information to the US government. It's a no brainer, Israel's health and safety is directly related to US interests.

Obama is not a threat to Israel, nor has he ever been. He has made the exceptional effort to protect "developments on the ground," while the Palestinians suffer.

I just left a page on the Jewish Virtual Library website which lists Jewish men and women in the Obama administration. Then I googled some of the names listed and it would seem that the full spectrum of Jewish-America political opinion is represented. Looks like Obama's just doing his job to me.

"Every appointee to the American government must endure a thorough background check by the American Jewish community." The first sentence of this article should have read: Every appointee to the American government AND EVERY CANDIDATE FOR HIGHER OFFICE FROM CONGRESS TO PRESIDENT must endure a thorough background check by the American Jewish community. Why are we allowing Likudniks to run our country?

Whenever supporters of Israel are accused of running U.S. foreign policy they retaliate with charges of "anti-Semitism." On one hand AIPAC brags of its influence, often participates in writing legislation and yet rises up in horror should they be accused of skewing U.S. policy and influencing U.S. politicians. The truth is there. For better or, as some think, for worse, the Israeli Lobby does control U.S. policy in the Middle East and the Lobby never asks if these policies are good for their own country, the United States.

It is very tiresome to see writers conflate Jewish with Zionist. It is not American "Jews" who "eye anti-Israel appointees" but American Zionists. Why not use the correct terms? Lots of American Jews are unsupportive of Israel and some even antagonistic.

Chuck Hagel is one of the few politicians in the US not contolled by evil interests.

I'm sorry, but can't American Jews criticize appointments like anyone else in the US? Why is that when Jews assert their rights they are putting appointees through a "background check?" We American Jews don't have to appologize for being vocal. If the Obama administration wants to appoint these people, they don't have to listen. No one is pointing a gun their heads.

Chuck Hagel is a great American. He's a Vietnam Vet, officer highly decorated and a retired US Senator. We in America do not need to give litmus tests to appointments. And there should not be any requirement for the qualified person to pass a zionist litmus test. This appointment is not top level and is advisory with a council of members. So, as US Senator, he didn't go along with the AIPAC agenda..so what. He is pro-israel, he spoke at the J-Street Conference last October. Even this Democrat likes Hagel the Republican.

we care only that they are americans first

This is the ADL charter which forces so called "anti-hate" legislation in the US Congress. You now better watch what and to whom you say anything about Jews and Israel.

What these people are risking is that eventually there will be a backlash against them precisely because the nominees have to pass some kind of litmus test about whether or not they like Israel, and that is total BS. Who in the hell do they think they are? Talking about how to make enemies of many Americans. If this article is true, that's exactly what American Jews will create: Enemies galore!

This sort of witch hunt against free thinking anti-zionists is an incredibly dangerous tactic. Why should such a tiny minority call the shots over the rest? The conclusion must be drawn that this is not just. The result in the long term? There will be a backlash and once more the innocents will suffer alongside the zealots.

I want to know who is governing the U.S. policies. I thought the President of the United States does and not the American Jews. Chuck Hagel is an American Hero and deserves the best.

Every American Government appointee must under go a back ground check by Israel?? Whats that all about. Get a life!!!

Down with our U.S. First Amendment. No American is allowed to question the Likud government. Hannah, go home to Israel.

It's amazing the nerve of the hysterical Israeli Lobby, who will settle for nothing less than complete lickspittles. Naming an Israeli, descendant of Irgun terrorists, as his chief of staff is not even enough to prove the president's zionist credentials. I guess they would be happy if Obama appointed the Knesset to appoint his staff.

How can one oppose the idea that our relationship with one nation must come at the expense of our relationship to other nations? Shouldn't the most important thing to us be what is most in our interests? Shouldn't that be the most important thing to any one whose loyalty is to the US?

For how long USA gonna cover Israel the time is runing out

The way Chaz Freeman was treated through zionist machinations is a national disgrace. We need people in our US government to wean the US from any connections with Israel, relegalize observance of the Arab boycott in America, and push for boycott, divestment, and sanctions worldwide, until the zionist regime and so-called state joins apartheid South Africa in the dustbin of history. I wish President Obama would show some more backbone in this regard and not cave to the zionist cabal so easily.

Obama is doing great, Unemployment is dropping in the USA, the economy is showing good signs of a recovery, he has made an Israeli Right/Ultra Right Wing govnt accept a 2 state solution and accept a Settlement Freeze, he has rallied the world around the Iranian Nuclear Issue without panic mongering including Iran's close friends Russia and China, has rapidly repaired relations with Russia and Europe after the damage Bush caused, and he has begun to mend fences with the Arab world. All in his first year as the first Black President of the USA... I cant wait to see whats gonna happen in the next 7 years.

anyone who is not philosophically likud or further to the right is anti-israel. anyone who wants a democratic jewish state is both anti-israel or a self hating jew. to all my right posters - what do you intend toi do with the 3.5 million arabs that will be icorporated into a greater israel?

The Chuck Hagel appointment should be no surprise. Any observer of the life history of President Obama knows his friends (Jewish and NonJewish) are not supporters of Israel .Prominent amongst the enemies of Israel is Chuck Hagel..What a proven record he has. Regarding other "lovers of Israel" appointed by Obama..well...one can love Israel and love the USA but can cause terrible hurt by foolish views.

Enough with "American Jews." There are lots of them...me included (though I live in TA). And these Jews have very varied political views with respect to Israel. Most, to be frank, really don't give a damn. There are more important things affecting them than what happens here. If you want to talk about American Jews then you need to specify who you are talking about. The "leaders" of many Jewish organizations are mostly rich and right-wing and like to think of themselves as Junior Israelis.

is anybody who doesn't agree with Israel stealing more/all of Pal's land; anybody who points out that most present day Israelis have NO beneficial interest in the land and are not even "semitic"; anybody who points out that Israel is killing Pals and labeling them 'terrorists' when they refuse to accept land theft and murder. In fact, judging from the events of the last couple of months, I'd say the entire world is becoming "bias" by pointing out Israel's two stepping BS over there. Get used to it. Truth will always prevail!! Time for a new hasbara ploybook; your old one is worn out.

J.J. Goldberg talked about Jewish power in politics. Many elderly Jews in old Europe warned about how people are perceived when dealing with politics. I think these people obviously care about people who are their kin, Jews who live in Israel, but going against politicians who want to balance things out or who haven't shown they are "pro-Israel" is not good for Israelis or Americans in the long-term. Is violating human rights of Palestinians and angering a billion Muslims is what Americans want? No. Withdraw the aid to Egypt and Israel in terms of military aid. Let them sort out their problems. America has enough problems as it is, and we've had enough headache from whatever supporters.

Time and time again, our vote starved congressmen and congresswoman had stooped so low in forfeited their integrity for the sake of Jewish votes. It is time our fellow Jewish compatriots to refrain from pressuring and directing ti influence the best interest of the US once they diverge from Israel's. In fact these divergences are so stark and evident over the years that we , the American people have paid with our blood in war where ONLY Israel is the beneficiary.

First, Chuck Hagel is a higly decorated Vietnam Vet and a retired US Senator, this guy did serve his countrey--USA not Israel. He is a Republican but more reasonable then the current core Republicans. Obama does not believe in "Litmus Tests" for his appointees. Outside organizations have no right to impose their litmus tests upon Obama's appointees either. Every appointee must endure a through background check by the American Jewish community is plain false. The private Jewish organizations might be doing it; but it's not US government sponsored. So zionists get your nose out of US buiness. Your zionism stops at the borders of June '67. Instead of being concerned about Obama's appointments, fix some of your own problems espcially, the confusion and lying about settlements freeze. America wants Israel to make Peace with Palestinians, Syrians, and the Lebanonese.

Love must feel good , but this one turns you guts .

We don't need to know the background of Obamas political appointees to know that Obama is anti Israel and if he could he would like nothing better than to see Israel dismantled piece by piece and then the land handed over to the arabs. For the next 3 years whenever we have to deal with America we will have a fight on our hands because just like a lepoard never changes its spots Obama will never stop being anti Israel.

And you'll understand Obama's bias. Let's hope there are only three years fort change to come. Yes, we can...

Strange and dangerous times we now live in. When a person who does not share the exact same thoughts and / or views of another is suppressed / villified - is this not thought control in all but name?

The appointees have got nothing to due with Israel ,but indicate the I beleive of President Obama ,who does not really care that Iran develops the nuclear bomb . This is indicated by Obama's weak ,ineffectual ,responses to the serious threats of the illegal regime of Iran as Ahmadinejad struts the world stage and screams out the world needs us ,not us the world ,we will have the nuclear bomb ,and no-one will stop us .America should be concerned about Obama ,who is failing first and foremost to Protect the USA ,he should be asked to resign .

Chuck Hagel should replace George Michell who is too diplomatic and unfit to solve the Middle East 62 years problem.

It is indeed a scary time when a strong support for Israel is a litmas test for appointment in the US government, especially when such continued support needs to be thoroughly debated and is certainly open to question. Israel's interests and goals are certainly not always aligned with those of the US and it culture, while often billed a true western democracy is actualy more like a fundamentalist theocracy.

How silly is this, hagel is a vietnam vet who has served with distiction in combat and these people are coming down on him? Wonder if any of them have a combat experience in combat? Bet they are all chickenhawks who want other people to fight in their wars.

Yes, don't you get it? The world, nay the universe....no even God is against us!!!!! A Jew MUST support unequivacally any action the Jewish state engages in....unless it happens to be a move that will foster peace, sanity and comprosmise. Since we are a nation without blemish....and we can NEVER do anything wrong...any individual, especially a Jewish one, who says this isn't so must be attacked and insulted until there is repentance. The state of our people is precarious due to this mindset. Fear has given way to blatant ethno=centrism and intolerance of the other, and we walk this path at our own peril.

Israel is going to have to accept the fact that there will always be a few anti-Israel appointees,including up to a point the President himself.

time to make friends with the Chinese, Russians, and the Martians......or just hope Israel can hold on untill 2012 and say goodbye to Barack Hussain Obama. Shabbat Shalom.