U.S. conservatives form new pro-Israel lobby group
A group of leading American conservatives has set up a new group to attack President Obama over his "anti-Israel" stance, U.S. website Politico reports.
By Haaretz ServiceWashington observers may feel there is no obvious shortage of pro-Israel lobbyists in the city – but a group of leading American conservatives thinks otherwise and has set up a new campaign group to attack President Obama over his "anti-Israel" stance, U.S. website Politico reports.
The Emergency Committee for Israel presents a potent combination of Republican Party neoconservatives and Evangelical Christians. The new group’s board includes Weekly Standard Editor William Kristol and Gary Bauer, a former Republican presidential candidate who leads the group American Values, as well as Rachel Abrams, a conservative writer and activist.
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Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to members of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in New York, on July 7, 2010. |
| Photo by: AP |
“We’re the pro-Israel wing of the pro-Israel community,” Politico quoted Kristol as saying. Bauer described the Obama presidency as “the most anti-Israel administration in the history of the United States."
Under U.S. law the group does not have to disclose the sources of its funding but has already raised enough to finance its first television advertisement, which launched a savage attack on Rep. Joe Sestak, the Democratic Senate candidate in Pennsylvania.
The ad slammed Sestak for signing a letter criticizing Israel’s blockade of Gaza while declining to add his name to a defense of Israel circulated by powerful pro-Israel lobby AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee).
The group also attacked Sestak for appearing at a fundraiser for the Council on American Islamic Relations, which it said was an “anti-Israel organization the FBI called a ‘front group for Hamas."
“Does Congressman Joe Sestak understand Israel is America’s ally?” the ad’s narrator asked.
This is just the opening shot in what the Emergency Committee for Israel intends to be a series of ads to sway congressional races across the U.S.
“We want to be hard-hitting; we want to get into the debate and shake things up and make some points in a firm way,” said Noah Pollak, the group's executive director.
Kristol said this group was inspired in part by another new group, the liberal J Street, which he said had shown the power of small organizations to influence the debate.
“There are some who say they’re pro-Israel but aren’t really,” he said, referring to J Street. “Then there’s AIPAC, which is a wonderful organization, but one that’s very committed to working with the administration, so they pull some punches publicly."
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Whether the neo cons serve America's interests or not is not for me to say; as an Israeli, I think that we can and should get along extremely well without them. The are dangerous and foolish.
Am sick and tired of Obama getting away with murder. All lovers of Israel must get out and vote against his Democratic party toute de suite!
Here is an argument the motivation CANNOT be US national security: "America’s ties to Israel are not based primarily on U.S. strategic interests. At the best of times, an Israeli government that pursues the path to peace provides some intelligence, some minor advances in military technology, and a potential source of stabilizing military power that could help Arab states like Jordan. Even then, however, any actual Israeli military intervention in an Arab state could prove as destabilizing as beneficial.. Israel should show enough discretion to reflect the fact that it is a tertiary U.S. strategic interest in a complex and demanding world.. Israel’s government should act on the understanding that the long-term nature of the U.S.-Israel strategic relationship will depend on Israel clearly and actively seeking peace with the Palestinians—the kind of peace that is in Israel’s own strategic interests. Israelis should understand that the United States opposes expansion and retention of its settlements and its efforts to push Palestinians out of greater Jerusalem. Israeli governments should plan Israeli military actions that make it clear that Israel will use force only to the level actually required, that carefully consider humanitarian issues from the start, and that have a clear post-combat plan of action to limit the political and strategic impact of its use of force." - Anthony Cordesman (2 June 2010) csis.org/publication/israel-strategic-liability
I am pleased that those who have a credible public voice have spoken up. I am proud to support this Committee.
With "friends" like these we do not need enemies. These 'friends" of Israel are the same fanatics who got America involved in a senseless war in Iraq; who would have America commit to an endless war in Afghanistan; and, who would have us in an endless state of conflict with our Arab neighbors. Surely, these Christian fanatics and their American-Jewish friends can find enough damage to do in America without leading us into a bi-national state. If these people really cared about Israel they would support their President and pressure us into making peace.
September 18, 2002...a war in Iraq "could have terrifically good effects throughout the Middle East." February 20, 2003, he said of Saddam... "He's got weapons of mass destruction;... Look, if we free the people of Iraq we will be respected in the Arab world." Yes israel...this is definitely the person to trust with your security issues!
it took long enough for American Jewry to wake up to the predominance of leftism in its midst. It took the anti israel banter of those fools Beinart and Ben Ami to encourage a grass roots movement among the overwhelming majority of American Jews who are TRULY Pro-Israel and refuse to let the Left dictate to them that they need only listen to Obama!
Enemy Within: Right Wing Extremist Christians and Jews @Minnesota "CIA predicts Israel will fall within 20 years. The Emergency Committee for Israel should be lobbying Israel to become more like the United States with an integrated education system, equal rights for all ethnic groups, and separation of church and state." Well, it cannot get much worse, can it?
This is just another nail in the coffin of the Left in November's elections. It is sad that the Left has turned on Israel so the only place remaining for Jews who want to support Israel is the Right. So be it. All power to the new group. It looks like they will have a positive impact on the November elections.
Aznar, Berlusconi, Kristol... the failed ones supporting Israel because Israel is as failed as they are
They are vile and capable of destroying political careers. JStreet hopefully will be able to counter their bullying pulpit tactics. Their claims can only be met with a strong presentation of the other side but rest assured these pitbulls will do everything from character assassination to presenting half truths to get their propaganda across. They are desperate because they clearly see which way the wind is blowing and they are scared. Desperate attempts at swaying opinion that is gradually changing as Israel 's occupation and the fruit it has born are exposed for what they are.
They would gladly throw America under the bus for the sake of Israel.
the leaders of this group aren't even jewish! I applaud them for their honesty, and truth. They are men of strength and conscience, unafraid to speak out loud for fear of being alienated from their posh positions in non jewish american life..and so they are true patriots, true hero's.
Patriots? They are after you and after destroying Israel ben Hur !! It is all about them. If you associate with them it will be as if you are asscociating with south Africa Apartheid. Oh yeah, that's all we need now!! They are a dying breed and they only spell more hate to Israel. If you are ready to be converted to christian then follow them. That's what they are all about. Bunch of jew haters and converters. They don't mention your name "Judah" in their "closed and behind the door" meetings.
What the world needed!! The brutal cycle: MOre Aipacs, More money for US congress men, less questioning or (there is never being one) discussions on Israeli actions or issues, more US presidents conditioned to "Israeli unbroken ties", more money for Israel from US taxpayers, more misery for Palestinians, more rockets and suicide bombers, less rights for Palestinian more widows and orphans, more rockets, more Bibis extremists in power, more international condemnation, more bad press and well earned reputation for Israel, more Israeli lobbyist in the US, more....and like that for secula seculorum
why Israel lobby Group don't move tu Israel and leave America alone America with out Jews will be perfect for us
Learn English first "tu" defend "America" and hate Jews!!!
.....the one thing he pretends to love more than everybody else....??? Well, I would just call him/her a very silly human being !! :)
Crazy idiots - nothing better to do sepcially Kristol - nobody listens to him except die hard conservatives - and the conservatives are a dying breed - We associate with the dying breed and we will also die with them - In the normal life of an american - Kristol, Hagee etc do not even take a minute of their day.95% of ameicans do not know nor want to know them - who cares what they do - so we Israelis should be far away as possible from them
reads an American newspaper every now and then. America is radically changing. It is NOT (I repeat, NOT) the Israel-loving, conservative bastion many of you think it to be. That these CLOWNS would start such an organization is proof of that fact.
Other countries, listen up. If you define yourself as America's ally there are no constraints on your behavior. At least that's what these people seem to be saying.
He was part of the group urging George W. Bush to attack Iraq and was at a dinner party at V.P. Cheney's house the evening of the attack, "celebrating. " The Neocons are bad news and have spent the last couple of years redoing their image. Whew! What an effort they made to escape any responsibility for Bush's policies, which brought America to the brink. My opinion is to take him with a grain of salt.
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross." A pro-Israel political action lobby group consisting of neocons and rapturists, funded by Jews... what a strange combination.
From Socrates to Machiavelli and beyond, the warning that all democracies end in tyranny has been issued repeatedly, yet every country thinks they are somehow different or enjoy some 'higher protection'. "Democracy", as Benjamin Franklin put it, "is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch."
Taking the gloves off was well overdue.
continue to over overwhelmingly support Israel. Given the alternative J street and the Islamic terrorists, including Hamas, makes perfect common sense.
Are a joke and everything they have said about Iraq, Afghanistan, the economy, everything....has been wrong, these people are a tragic, bruised souled jews that want to be part of the establishment elite, when we all know that same establishment sees them always with a kippah.
If Israel and it's supporters ally themselves as being in one party, then it slowly becomes the enemy of the other party. This is not good for Israel. In addition, I wonder if there evangelicals and Christians know that if they chose to move to Israel not only would they not be welcomed by Israelis but would be explicitly banned from moving to Jewish only communities. Israel is not a western democracy at all, based on our Greek and Roman heritage - and later with our concept of Constitutions and Bill of Rights and separation of powers - Israel is more semitic asian in nature, therefore, for tribalistic in its approach to its people in the rule of law.
Israelis don't like Christian conservatives at all, and the United States needs a balanced policy in the region. Israel is not America's only concern. I guess these conservatives forget that they are responsible for the deaths of over 1,000 of our soldiers in Iraq. They wanted that war. And they love Israel so much, then leave America and go live with them. America is a free country, but focus on balanced interests, folks. And there is a separation of church and state. Don't impose religion on us. Anyway, Israelis need a balance in policy in the region or their state will eventually be destroyed if they don't consider the feelings of others in the region and world.
and a disaster for American and other diaspora Jews. They are the first to suffer the consequences of suppressed criticism of Israel fueling a new wave of anti-Semitism
they will not rest before Benjamin Netanyahu is installed at the White House.
Jews must not be surprised if Obama cannot stand Bibi: he is the one who provokes the animosity
“We’re the pro-Israel wing of the pro-Israel community,” Politico quoted Kristol as saying. In other words, they are the extremist version of pro-Israel lobbies. I wonder if the American people and authorities can detect and halt danger in extremism from any party, ideology and religion. Or is it just Muslims who can be extremists?!
Finally a body to speak up and say it the way it is! The Emergency Committee for Israel is doing the right thing, defending not only Israel, but also the best interest(s) of US Jews, so shamefully abandoned by J -Street, Soros and their acolytes! Finally a real opposition to the Obama Administration's efforts to splinter the US Jewish diaspora and abandon Israel in this critical time.
I don't think it's right to categorize people like Kristol as "conservative" or even "neo-conservative". Their viewpoint regarding corporate integration into government and foreign policy, is more an offshoot of fascist than of conservatism. Perhaps they should consider calling themselves neo-fascist.
Interesting that the group's first action is to run an expensive TV ad attacking a politician who's been a little less obedient to Israel than the group demands. Presumably they're sending out a message to US politicians: 'Dare to criticise Israel and we will crush you.' US politicians have recently been showing signs of standing up to AIPAC, so I guess this group if designed to spread new fear in political circles.
Bill Kristol was rooting for the war on Iraq, why? because it helps Israel not America, We spent one trillion dollar to help Israel get rid of Saddam because he laubed few scuds during the first Gulf war. The outcome is more Iranian influence in the region and made Israel worst off and more vulnerable. Our country can not take it any more. Israel is becoming more a liability than an asset to us. Our tropps are exposed to all kind of dangers in Iraq, Afghanistan and every country where muslims are a majority. What for? Jews are only 2.5 pct of the American population, yet Israel receives more aid from us that all African countries combined. What do we get in return, Problems and more problems. It is getting unbearable.
The truth(s) that dare not be told! Peter, you are so right. Congratulations for your courage in stating these ugly facts so succinctly.
you are so right. I will vote for Sestak only on this issue. As Gen. Petraus said, the US Military is the biggest lobbying group in the US. At least their leaders know that Israel is a threat to all the American forces and consequently to the American people.
A "pro-Israel" group with funds from unknown sources makes it their business to openly attack American politicians that are not pro-Israel. That is Israels response to the American government. it is a scary thing, like an untreated disease. If treated, it will go away. If left untreated, it will get worse and worse until it cannot be cured.
...this "Battle of the Bands," so to speak, will lead to a greater awareness of the issues on the part of the American public as a whole--which might end up having "unintended consequences."
We don't want to associate with US evengelical & conservatives groups. They are not liked by the majority of Americans. Are you kidding me? We ran out of friends and now the only people that we want to associate with are the americans conservatives? Sure, keep boxing us up! This will definetly be a knife to Israel's neck. These people think just like the KKK or any extreemist group you hear of world wide. I hope HAARETZ will educate the Israeli people about this horrible association. Have you ever attended any of these evengalical group church gatherings. They are not after our oun good. They are after thei own.
congressional resolutions
I thought they had crawled under the rock where they came from, but clearly, they are going to try and defeat Obama by their fervent support of Israel. They can no longer win an election, so propaganda is the new strategy. With friends like this, who needs enemies.
The new lobby can rant about the Gaza flotilla, but true American friends of Israel must support a two-state solution to ensure that Israel remains a strong, Jewish, democratic, and ethical state - even if that means disagreeing with current Israeli government policy.
CIA predicts Israel will fall within 20 years. The Emergency Committee for Israel should be lobbying Israel to become more like the United States with an integrated education system, equal rights for all ethnic groups, and separation of church and state.
Israel will be battered and bloody but never, ever, fall
you sound like you long for this blood and battering. why not just have israel sign on to the non-controversial solution of '67 borders, symbolic right-of-return compensation and shared jerusalem as a jewish and palestinian capital? No blood. No battering.
They don't claim to be Jewish -- you can be pro-Israel or anti-Israel w/o being Jewish. Their message is also what they claim it to be, unlike anti-Israel J-Street that tries to claim it is pro-Israel. Unlike J-Street intent on "saving Israel FROM itself," this new group wants to save Israel FOR itself.
AIPAC is disintegrating the same way as Republican party.
Middle East has slipped out of the realm of Washington DC. You are lobbying in the wrong city!
The "friends" that also insist that terrorists be freed for "the good of Israel". ships be allowed uninspected access to Azza for "the good of Israel", that Jerusalem be given away for "the good of Israel", etc. etc.
You should go back to 67 borders - divide Jerusalem or else - live the life where the whole world spits on you and calls you 'cancer of the world' - not from the same gene pool as humans - and soon the good people of the world will replace the star of david with swatika on the Israeli flag.
On a regular basis
Have you considered Israel's interests are often not the same as those of the US, and being what you term anti-Israel may be pro - US? Do member of this new group always ask first if an action would be good for Israel before they think of what is good for the US?