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

[grassfed]

Every appointee to the American government must endure a thorough background check by the American Jewish community.

In the case of Obama's government in particular, every criticism against Israel made by a potential government appointee has become a catalyst for debate about whether appointing "another leftist" offers proof that Obama does not truly support Israel.

A few months ago, boisterous protests by the American Jewish community helped foil the appointment of Chaz Freeman to chair the National Intelligence Council, citing his "anti-Israel leaning."

The next attempt to appoint an intelligence aide, in this case, former Republican senator Chuck Hagel, also resulted in vast criticism over his not having a pro-Israel record.

American Zionists are urging Obama to cancel Hagel's appointment because of what they call a long and problematic record of hostility toward Israel.

more http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1132797.html

[snagglepuss]

1. It's all smoke and mirrors. The protest is there simply to give Obama

cover. Obama's okaying settlements is the bottomline.

[atreides1]

2. In the words of Dick Cheney

They can go fuck themselves!!!

[unabelladonna]

12. intelligent response

[PDJane]

3. This is simply ridiculous.......

Since the US supplies Israel with money....

[Pirate Smile]

4. I'm so sick of the Israel's crap against Obama. His 4% approval rating there means my blaming

RW Bibi's government for the problem doesn't ring true anymore. I had kind of thought of it similar to when Bush was Prez and at least half the people disagreed with him (varying according to what year of his term).

There seems like a big gap between American Jews and Israelis - which, of course, is no surprise but the size of the gap is enormous.

[Bumblebee]

5. How about changing it to "American Supporters of Israel"? Or "Some American Jews"?

I am an American Jew, and am not eyeing anything. In fact, I want him to be stricter with Israel than he has been. And, obviously, there are many of us so please do not lump us all into one monolithic group.

[Meshuga]

7. +1

There is always this talk about the "Jewish Community" being so concerned with Obama (and the people around him) which is BS. Look at last year when the same was said by many before Obama got a HUGE chunk of the Jewish vote. "Playing with perception" is the name of the game.

Another issue that needs to be addressed is what defines someone as being anti-Israel? You see, neocons at AIPAC try to define many pro-Israel Jews (who don't fall in line with them) as anti-Israel.

[Violet_Crumble]

8. It's merely a perjorative label that mean very little...

Another issue that needs to be addressed is what defines someone as being anti-Israel? You see, neocons at AIPAC try to define many pro-Israel Jews (who don't fall in line with them) as anti-Israel.

From what I've seen here at DU, there's a tendency to call people are called 'anti-Israel' if they dare to criticise the Israeli govt, and they're called pro-Israel if they don't. It's all totally subjective and quite silly and used as a way of being able ignore the persons views while throwing labels at them. Kind of like when one poster kept on insisting I'm anti-Zionist, even though I'm nothing of the sort....

btw, what's yr definition of 'anti-Israel'?

[Meshuga]

9. I would see anti-Israel as not recognizing that...

...Israel has the right to exist.

In my opinion, ending the occupation, facilitating the creation of a Palestinian state, and helping Israel secure itself within its pre 1967 borders is not an anti-Israel position.

[LeftishBrit]

10. +1000!

[Violet_Crumble]

11. That's a very reasonable explanation that I'm in total agreement with...

I wish everyone would define it similarly to how you just did :)

[LeftishBrit]

6. Actually his appointees seem to get the once-over from EVERY group!

I don't remember Bush's appointees being scrutinized that much, though perhaps it just wasn't reported as much abroad.

Rosenthal sounds like a really good appointment. I'm not that keen on Hagel, regardless of his views on Israel - just because he's a Republican!