Suddenly The Lobby Turns On Hillary
Well, that didn't take long.
Top Jewish leaders have now turned on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for daring to criticize Israel over the humanitarian aid to Gaza issue. She's not the Hillary we knew, they say.
Unfortunately for them, she is. They just got her mixed up with Tzipi Livni. Hillary is the Secretary of State of the United States, not Foreign Minister of Israel, or, let's be frank, a senator from New York.
Her job is to do what is right for America. And she understands, even if these "leaders" don't, that pursuing a policy that is good for America, that strengthens America, is good for Israel too.
One more thing. Hillary is a mother. She has to be forgiven for being utterly heartsick about the suffering of the kids in Gaza, 400 of whom were killed in the war.
Everyone should be although clearly everyone is not.
MORE. Jeff Goldberg tells the "leaders" to chill. (He had better explain the term to them. They are in a permanent state of outrage over the "betrayal" of Israel by its best friends).
What kind of PR/communications effort would you propose to calm those who misinterpret any moves the Obama administration makes as "anti-Israel"?
February 27, 2009 10:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
The purpose of such PR/communications effort is not so much to persuade your direct adversary, but to reach the malleable constituencies beyond them.
February 27, 2009 11:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
Who appointed Mort Zuckerman, Dov Hikind and a few unidentified cranks from Monsey and Great Neck "top Jewish Leaders?" As is typical, a local CBS reporter mistakes the anecdotal for some kind of phenomenon. And taking the faux dust-up a step further, according to MJ, it's the "Lobby" that is turning against Hillary. To sum up this non-issue in a word: "UGH!"
February 27, 2009 10:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
AG, maybe all of us TPMers need to get together and find MJ a hobby so he's got something else to think about . . .
February 27, 2009 10:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ha. Although I guess we should be thankful that this is all there is to get agitated about. Sure beats the alternatives.
February 27, 2009 11:20 AM | Reply | Permalink
AG:
For a more insightful and less inciteful version of this same column by MJ, go to the absolutely fabulous Israel Policy Forum website. In that piece, there is no reference to The Lobby (hee), and instead of referring to the Great Neck et al crew as "Top Jew leaders" (MJ you forgot the falafel guy on Middleneck Road :)), they are referred to more appropriately perhaps as "[s]ome hawkish Jewish leaders".
http://www.israelpolicyforum.org/blog/secretary-clinton-she-already-great-secretary-state
In all seriousness, I think that President Obama is doing some things early on that are going to upset some "hawks" and even make some "doves" a little nervous. It's prudent I think and setting the stage for a more even-handed policy that just about all of us support (notwithstanding the avatar wars). Obama, through Hillary et al. has to show credibility with all of the multidimensional sides of this equation. You'll know he's doing a good job if at some point he has ticked just about everybody off.
Let's keep our eyes on the prize. The United States will never abandon Israel or allow its security to be threatened, but to that end we will hopefully do what it takes to really ensure Israel's long-term security, and that in my absolutely anything but humble opinion requires there to be a two-state resolution along the lines supported by J-Street, the IPF, and as codified as the Clinton Parameters. That's where we're heading if we're lucky.
Amd now back to end-of-month administrative stuff!
Bruce
February 27, 2009 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ooops slipped. MJ should've been quoted as writing "Top Jewish leaders" in the post above!
February 27, 2009 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just as a point of reference for the non-Long-Islanders: That guy has amazing falafels.
February 27, 2009 2:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
C'mon, AG, this is big news. Now we finally have a lead, some names for the makeup of Rosenberg's mysterious "The Lobby": Akiva Homnick of Jerusalem, Babak Chafe of Great Neck, Tami Davudoff of Kew Gardens, and Solomon Loewi of Monsey, N.Y. You should be grateful to know the names of these powerful conspirators who have a stranglehold on our foreign policy! (Note: If you read the wonder of investigative reporting that is the CBS article carefully, it's clear that Mort Zuckerman is not in on the plot, because he says "I am very surprised, frankly, at this statement from the United States government and from the secretary of state.")
February 27, 2009 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm going back over the list to see if there is anyone I've ever made out with. Looks like I'm safe from charges of consorting with lobbyists.
February 27, 2009 12:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
The good news keeps coming!
Sanity is returning to the state department which is making the right-wing Israeli-First crowd act like spurned lovers, jilted at the alter. How about putting America first for a change? eh!
February 27, 2009 10:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
MJ says: "Top Jewish leaders have now turned on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for daring to criticize Israel over the humanitarian aid to Gaza issue. She's not the Hillary we knew, they say."
So we have Hillary '96, not Hillary '00.
Hillary '96 is a better vintage.
February 27, 2009 11:15 AM | Reply | Permalink
Do these Jewish leaders not realize what a dangerous game they are playing? In appearing to subordinate US national interests to right wing Israeli policy, they are setting themselves up for an almighty backlash if the US voter ever wises up to it.
February 27, 2009 11:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
They don't lead this Jew. Stop encouraging them!
February 27, 2009 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Can I trade Mort Zuckerman for William Donohue?
February 27, 2009 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
People get so bummed when I mention the lobby. It exists pals. I worked for AIPAC and the AJC over a five year period. I even worked for Bnai Brith once. But I didn't understand its power until I spent 20 years on Capitol Hill.
It's no worse than most of the top lobbies. All threats and pressure. The only difference is that it is a foreign policy lobby. And, from what I have seen, more high pressure than others.
I won't argue about this. Because unless one has served as a Senator or Rep or worked on the Hill, you can have no idea.
Interesting sidelight. From Israel Policy Forum's 3 room office suite on Capitol Hill (we moved to less expensive quarters after the crash) I could see out my window one of the rare Washington, DC skyscrapers (8 stories, that is high for this city) and it's the new AIPAC building. Eight stories. IPF, J Street, APN, Brit Tsedek, and all the rest couldn't fill one floor of that building. (Of course, they have one whole floor for "working out" and two for banquets. Still, it's impressive).
I'm not sad pro-Israel forces have a lobby. I just wish it would be pro-peace.
And I'm tired the media treating it as the lobby that dare not speak its name.
February 27, 2009 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
How much of that was built with Sheldan Edelson's money? During the last 18 months his Las Vegas Sands (LVS) stock has nose-dived from $122 to $2.70. Hopefully, the anti-peace crowd are having similar luck.
February 27, 2009 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think most of it.
February 27, 2009 3:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
But, if as is likely, the government drops the AIPAC case or the two AIPAC defendants are acquitted, those two may well end up owning the building.
They would have quite the "wrongful termination" suit!
February 27, 2009 3:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
MJ, during your time with AIPAC, AJC, Bnai Brith and on Capitol Hill, did you ever come across Tami Davudoff of Kew Gardens? I hear she's one tough customer. Hillary has her work cut out.
On a slightly more serious note, I have no doubt of the existence of what W&M describe as a "loose coaltion individuals and organisations who actively work to steer US foreign policy in a pro-Israel direction." Call it what you will. I am also in agreement that many of those organizations are dominated by, or have in some cases been hijaked by, some pretty right-wing, hawkish, Likud lovers, who have, particularly over these past eight years, had a good deal of success pushing their agenda. I just don't think it's helpful to portray those discreet organizations and individuals of speaking for the monolithic Israel Lobby. If anything, it gives them too much power. I'd like to think the real "Israel Lobby" as having room for far more viewpoints, including your own.
February 27, 2009 12:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Israel should be grateful to the Obama administration for saving it from its ridiculous self. Israel's position now seems to be that they have the right to collectively punish all of Gaza because some Hamas guys somewhere are holding one Israeli soldier prisoner. The Obama administration's not-very-radical position seems to be, "Um ... no, you don't."
Some of the recent Israeli looniness is election-based looniness, and its not surprising the administration is not going along with it.
February 27, 2009 1:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hmm... Jeffrey Goldberg relaying the message eh... "So, chill until further notice, please."
'The Lobby' exists alright. Goldberg should know -- he's written about "how powerful 'The Lobby' is".
So, maybe he's just sending out the message to AIPAC followers [as Eleanor Clift says] remember "...how Washington works: don't get mad, get even."
There will be a backlash... there's bound to be... the aim is to expose the backlash and make sure it doesn't stay behind the veil of media.
February 27, 2009 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
more proof that these so called jewish leaders dont give a rats ass about the lives of all the people they kill.
the world does not owe israel anything more then it owes any other people.
once these "leaders' realize that there can be peace.
and a word to the wise here, the entire world has noticed what israel did to the people of gaza and nothing will prevent the escaltion of demands that israel finally acts civilized to the people they wish to exterminate.
they are cuting their own throats.
Obama if he is a man of peace can effect real change in the middle east.
if he does what he should israel will be without a friend in the world.
and these jewish leaders will only have themselves to blame.
February 27, 2009 2:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
btw.
i would like to say how much i appreciate your perspective on these issues.
you write with integrity.
February 27, 2009 2:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
THANK YOU!
February 27, 2009 3:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey MJ,
I've been appreciating the coverage on this quite a bit, including the Chas Freeman appointment coverage this week. Thanks for this.
I have a small but important concern with this post though, which hasn't been addressed in the comments above:
No one should need to be "forgiven" for being moved by the suffering of others.
Hillary being a mother is irrelevant. I'm not a mother, and I find the stories emerging out of Gaza deeply troubling, as you clearly do, and as Representatives Baird and Ellison did after their visit earlier this month.
Combine the "has to be forgiven" turn of phrase with its preceding, "Hillary is mother", and it seems like your asking us to 'indulge' our Secretary of State's firm position on a foreign country's actions that impede humanitarian aid delivery to a region it has just attacked, and that we should go easy on her because she's just doing what her maternal instincts demand?
Hillary Clinton is Secretary of State. Introducing this speculation about gender-based motivations influencing the positions she takes as Secretary is as undermining as anything from the Right.
Please be conscious of this in your future (again commendable) coverage of these issues and the Obama Administration.
Thank you.
February 27, 2009 2:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
My apologies. You are 100% right. Thanks.
February 27, 2009 3:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
First, let's stop calling them, "Jewish leaders." They aren't leaders and their philosophy suggests they haven't the brains one normally associates with that ancient people.
Second, exactly why is it that these unpleasant people are so anxious to make taboo any criticism at all of what the Israeli government (or its armed forces) does?
Seems to me the AIPAC crowd is extremely worried about where that might lead. Very strange. I mean, everyone already knows that Israel has done some pretty nasty stuff recently: like letting moms and their young children die as IDF forces twiddle their thumbs near by; use white phosphorus on civilians, use collective punishment Warsaw-ghetto style against Gaza .. stuff like that. Does AIPAC consider this just the tip of the iceberg? What gives?
February 27, 2009 8:26 PM | Reply | Permalink