AIPAC and American Jews: Be proud of Jewish power

America first!

The problem with AIPAC is that it is a powerful and effective lobby group that is driven by little more than tribalistic politics. Thus, its considerable power is utilized to perpetuate injustice and the oppression of one group of people while exacerbating the moral and political degradation of another. I remember a time when the Jewish people and their values were synonymous with liberal ideals, respect for the powerless, and justice. Today, largely thanks to AIPAC and Israel, that is no longer true. Groups such as J-Street and JVP are trying to reassert those more humane Jewish values, but the fact that they have to fight so hard against raw tribalist sentiment says a great deal.

Jews are less than 2% of the population, but well over-represented in almost every relevant area of power. This is something to be proud of - the US owes much of its economic power as well as social justice reforms to Jews - but it becomes a problem when such success becomes part of an interest OUTSIDE of the US. When such contributors stop being Americans first and become allied to a foreign nation that - whether they want it to or not - is independent of the US, then there is a problem. Jews fought in the US civil war on both sides - even the confederacy had a Secretary of Defense who was Jewish (it didn't go well for him). I think most Americans respect and admire Jews, but the past 40 years there has been nonsense propaganda to them about supporting Israel - led by the likes of Jewish community leaders (such as the ADL) who wanted more power - to take the US to a colonial enterprise on the Mediterranean. AIPAC does exactly this - they aren't a Jewish advocacy group, celebrating the contribution and development of Jewish Americans/American Jews - they are promoting support of a colonialist enterprise. They will also likely endanger American Jews, who have lived in the US for more generations than their detractors, simply because one group (Zionists) decided they wanted to expand their power and conscript all Jewish people. Being Jewish American is a category of pride. Being Zionist American should be classed as a schizophrenic symptom.

There are several troubling aspects to this article. First of all, in America we have the separation of Church and State. Although AIPAC claims it represents many facets of society besides Jews, most people see this organization as pro-Israel, mainly supported by Jews, which wants Israel to be recognized as the Jewish State. In America you would be considered a U.S. citizen belonging to the Jewish religion. America doesn't appreciate Jews having so much influence on our political system. If the Pope had this much influence in your country I think you'd be appalled. Also, using monetary influence to the extreme galls Americans. If you have money to burn spend it in Israel influencing your Knesset members to stop apartheid and the occupation.

I really doubt if Jews really believe in God. They are so interested in profits and influence on earth. Maybe except some religious branches

What Jewish power? The Jewish community could not get one of 55 Democrats to vote against Sen. Hagel.

Israel's use of it's military and diplomatic power has not been particularly wise or just in the last 30 years.

I have no problem with Jewish power. I respect and I am thankful for my doctor's Jewish brain power---he keeps me healthy. I admire the power of a skilled worker---he repaired my roof. Power is ubiquitous; it is essentially good. The problem is its use. Would it be bad if Jews ruled the world if they ruled wisely? Plato advocated that the head of state should be a philosopher-king. There is the correct use of power, and this means that power should only and always be in the service of the universal common good---Plato believed that the philosopher-king had the capacity to serve the UCG. Unfortunately, politicians, statesmen and others cannot see the forest for the trees; they are shortsighted bunglers. And Israeli leaders are no exception to this sad condition.

AIPAC represents rightwing israelis not american jews...

Describing any disagreement with Israeli policies as "anti-semitic backlash" says it all.

American jewish community is more concerned about Israel than America.

But there is a fine line for transgression. When a group puts the interest of a foreign nation above and beyond the interest of their own nation is criminal.... AIPAC clearly fits this category

Anyone else, like Chuck Hagel, uses the same words you do about what you do and they're an anti-Semite.

Aipac represents the policies of an Israeli government which has shown no desire to achieve a viable 2-state resolution, has a democratic framework which is akin to the tryanny of the majority, treats with contempt and disdain the non-Jews that live between the Med and the Jordan. As a Jew and a Zionist I am ashamed at what Aipac represents!

Oil companies effectively lobby the government to promote policies that benefit their own interests, AIPAC does the same. No problem, it's legal, it's the system. The problem is that American citizens can publically debate the wisdom of promoting oil-company policies, Americans discussing the wisdom of providing lopsided support for Israel is met with derision, smears and, of course, labeling. It's the blind side of fervent U.S. supporters for Israel, and in the publics mind it places Israel supporters in the same category as Tea Party Rebulicans and religious extremists. They have only themselves to blame.