As tensions escalate between the administration and Israel, there seems to be growing concern that the American people at large are getting wise to their own interests; an anxiousness over whether we will start looking more closely at whether Israel’s national security interests are in fact, American national security interests. Mostly because the protracted conflict could be putting our troops overseas risk. As John Mearscheimer wrote this week, “if that message begins to resonate with the American public, unconditional support for the Jewish state is likely to evaporate.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s treatment of visiting VP Biden in announcing new settlements crossed a line, critics have pointed out across the board. Neoconservative hawks here in the U.S are playing those implications down, of course, seeming very sensitive right now to the suggestion that American-Israeli interests in the region may be diverging.
Thus, the ADL’s curious rebuke of Gen. David Petraeus after he testified this week regarding the consequences of a failed peace mission:
The assumptions Gen. Petraeus presented to the Senate Armed Services Committee wrongly attribute “insufficient progress†in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and “a perception of U.S. favoritism for Israel†as significantly impeding the U.S. military mission in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan and in dealing with the Iranian influences in the region. It is that much more of a concern to hear this coming from such a great American patriot and hero.
The General’s assertions lead to the illusory conclusion that if only there was a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the U.S. could successfully complete its mission in the region.
Funny this doesn’t sound much different from what David Makovsky of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said on PBS’ News Hour on Tuesday:
…This is a very contested point that General Petraeus raised today, because, look …nobody serious believes that, if you solve this conflict, it is an open sesame, and it unlocks all the other or any conflicts in the Middle East… Where our disagreement is whether this will fundamentally make a difference in the way America is perceived. I mean, we all would agree, I would think, that, you know, if people are shooting at America in Iraq or Afghanistan, it’s because of that local conflict…
[Extremists] don’t say, oh, there was progress on the Arab-Israeli front, no shooting today. So, that’s not the issue. The issue is, is this a layer of anti-Americanism that is fundamental? And I would argue that there is like 20 layers there. This might be one out of 20, and it should be resolved for its own reasons, but it’s not decisive in these other theaters.
But does any of us think that al-Qaida will go away if this issue is solved? They never cared about this issue at all. They’re a Johnny-come-lately to this question.
Oh really? Is that why a U.S military commission at Guantanamo Bay convicted this al Qaeda PR man, for editing and disseminating this video in before his capture in 2004? Because al Qaeda was a ‘Johnny-come-lately’ to the Palestinian cause? Maybe I missed something.
Furthermore, I think it is disingenuous to suggest that the longstanding partnership between the U.S and Israel has not fomented extremism in the region, when it was a primary goal of the neoconservative war planners to overthrow Saddam Hussein as part of a greater vision of “securing the realm” just a decade ago. And whatever happened to ‘The road to peace in the Middle East goes through Baghdad’?
A little jingle that’s lost its juice, I guess, now that there is a pro-Iranian government in Iraq, which no matter how the elections shake out, does not seem to be going anywhere.
"Furthermore, I think it is disingenuous to suggest that the longstanding partnership between the U.S and Israel has not fomented extremism in the region, when it was a primary goal of the neoconservative war planners to overthrow Saddam Hussein as part of a greater vision of “securing the realm” just a decade ago."
Heh. That's absolutely true—it's fomented _American_ extremism.
Another Spectacle (in Debord's sense) unfolds. The unmentioned substrate is the fictional linkage of the Palestinians' plight with progress in further isolating, or even attacking Iran, which was suggested at the beginning of Obama's adminstration.
All this means is that both Israel and the US want Arab support behind them for continued hostility toward Iran.
In fact the Israelis have been suggesting (absurdly) for some years that they play the role of "protectors of Arabs" against Iranians.
Now the US champions Palestinians to garner "Arab support" for the US as champion of Arabs against both Israel and Iran?
There is the small matter of what has been estimated as a million dead Iraqis, but aren''t they properly "democratized" now?
Even if it works, it won't work. Meanwhile enjoy the show.
But of course the Israelis are "protectors of Arabs," just as the removal of the Cherokees was "for their own protection."
The Zionist zealots and the pretend christian Zionists will fight to the last American and spend the USG's last dollar for the purpose of expanding their Zionism. The USG funds Israel in the amount $500 per year with commitments for the next 10 years. This enables Israeli's to have socialized medicine which pays for massages with chocolate lotion, if desired, courtesy of the American, suckers, taxpayers. The Repubicans vote for socialized medicine for Israeli's while telling Americans that no health care is better than government aided health care, not even socialized, which is their EAT POO AND DIE AMERICANS solution.
They are the Masters of the Universe chosen by the God himself to rule.
CORRECTION,The USG funds Israel in the amount of $500 per year for each Israeli with commitments for the next 10 years and has been the case for the last 30 years
There is an error in the last paragraph: "It's" should be changed to "its."
Great piece Kelley – I wasn't aware of just how grotesque the contortions that ADL and people like Makovsky are going through to sustain the unsustainable. Note also the recent burblings of good old Abe Foxman and the statements made by John Boehner, Eric Cantor, and Sarah Palin among the Republicans. And Mr. Krauthammer today in the Wash Post. They are all saying the same thing which suggests it is being scripted. Wonder what will come out of AIPAC this weekend?
Phil — I was thinking the very same thing. Scripted.
The very idea that America's interests and Israel's are even remotely synonomous is absurd. Nothing could be further from the truth. The USA "needs" Israel like one "needs' cancer.
So here’s the vice president of the United States of America,standing with all the injured dignity of a man who has just had a bucket of sewage dumped over his head and who amid his discomfiture, actually did use the word “condemn” and “Israel” in the same paragraph. The next day Biden heads for Tel Aviv university and confides to the audience that he is a Zionist and that, “throughout my career, Israel has not only remained close to my heart but it has been the center of my work as a United States Senator and now as Vice President of the United States.” Get that: “the center of my work.” This mission statement is not quoted in the U.S. press.
Of course, if any “progress” can be identified across the past forty years – a debatable claim – it’s only because an American president has nerved himself to briefly lay down the agenda with threats and menaces, all duly retracted when the Lobby regroups and commences its counter-attack.
http://www.counterpunch.org/
I disagree with Petraeus' assessment that there is “a perception of U.S. favoritism for Israel”. It's well past the perception phase; everyone in the Middle East is quite aware of the blatant U.S. favoritism for Israel. More are becoming aware of the fealty given to AIPAC by a substantial group of the federal government, both elected and appointed as well.
Great news: Trashing israel is patriotic!
one should be very much concerned about what an israeli failed state would look like espcialy after significant increases in settler populations.
and the total lack of options in intervening.
p.s. you would be surprised at how many arabs are afraid of iran. not to say it isnt true but all there resource are with in easy picking of an iran that choose to.
but once again actions speak louder than words, and transactions loudest of all. and i see alot of weapons going to irans arab neighbors and when you are an evil despot king of a shitty little oil kingdom up to your neck in dept id think high tech weapons would not be a priority unless you expected war soon,especially when you happen to have an american fleet docked in your country.
on the other hand maybe its all worked out in advanced israel takes the heat the emirates repel the counter attack and then america finishes the job. israel gets its enemies wiped out the emirates lose some peasants and gain some oil feilds and america kept it all from getting out of hand(unless of coarse you are an iranain who is fond of your limbs)
Man, what a tough choice this makes for the neo/evangelicoconservatives. On one hand you have Israel, before which all must have a loyal heart and mindless obedience; and on the other, the Pentagon, beloved destroyer of worlds that must be infinitely placated with devotion and taxes. Along comes Petraeus and suggests that Americans should have no other idol before them than the U.S. military.
The agony of choosing which boot to lick more–Israel's, or the military's? Life can be so unfair.
Gen. Petraeus doesn't give a rat's rear about Israel or the Palestinians. All he sees is US closeness to Israel making his difficult job all that much harder. From his perspective, he is right.
Consider this though. Suppose we cut Israel loose, cut off their subsidies, but continue to sell them weapons for cold hard cash. Neither Israel nor any of its enemies has any interest in a negotiated peace. Their only interest is victory. Without the restraining influence of being on the US payroll, Israel would probably expel the Palestinians just as Andrew Jackson dealt with the Cherokee, and this would probably destabilize Jordan, and perhaps Egypt (There isn't much stability in Lebanon to worry about that country). Neither Egypt nor Jordan want those verminous people – in fact Jordan expelled them in the first place. A major regional war would start almost immediately, and that would threaten our oil supplies. And if Israel nukes Iran, that could threaten the US troops in Iraq. This is why the US isn't going to cut Israel off, no matter how much Obama and Petraeus would like to.
Israel has always sought wars and expansion because of the no-question asked support of the US.Israe should not be on the US payroll.And if Israel expeled the Palestinians(how Andrew Jackson dealt with the Cherokee was never justified ,nor it justifies what Israel has been doing to the Palestnians) ,then the world,and certainlly the US should deal with Israel as the rouge and criminal state that is.__ It is very revealing the us of( those verminous people ) in refering to the Palestnians who were dispssossed of their land and homes in order to establish a state for European Jews who were refered to by a similar term (vermins) by the Nazis.
The Veteranstoday.com website lead story concerns an ex-marine and lecturer for the US military as suggesting that “military brass” is now convinced that 9/11 was a Mossad operationt.
Patreaus comments and responses about the US/Israel posture could well require an observe in the ME or in the US to say, ” he’s stating the obvious”.
Why would the General at this time state the world known obvious fact?
There is an “ill” or a “good” wind a blowin in US policy in the ME.
Once upon a time Aztecks were focussing on their neighbours and missed to notice Columbine murderers approaching them with bible. Once upon a time Mughals were fixated on sculpting perfect brand of Islam on the heathens of Southern and Central India and missed the misson of French and British with the same result that had visited the NewWorld. What are the Arabs and the American are missing now together? China? India? death of the middle class in America? Petty concubines of Bengal Nawabs sealed the fate of a much civilized (compared to England of then )and beautiful state of Bengal in 1747. The petty concubines from Isarel are doing same to US's fractious poltics.But they would also go down with financial disater in US.
Sometime it doesn't matter how someone dies.
Amen!
The Johnny-Come-Lately accusation is a canard. Bin Laden, Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Al Zawahiri and others in their movement have been greatly concerned about Palestine from Day One. When he was younger, Bin Laden even referred to the Israel-Palestine conflict as "the mother of all grievances." (See his Letter to King Fahd.) All this is publicly available information.
It's good to be home.
Commenter,
You are so right. The last time I was in Bahrain, I picked up the English version of the local newspaper. In the classifieds, I saw an ad for a yard sale from some women's business organization – "the proceeds to go to suffering Palestinian people". The other Gulf State newspapers (English versions) that I read all had editorials denouncing Israel's treatment of the Palestinians and America's blind, stupid support of Israel. And these are from the most "westernized" Arab countries.
Petray Betraeus!
"a great American patriot and hero" who promotes homosexuality….
the SPLC and the ADL are essentially U.S. soil operations of the Israeli MOSSAD intelligence service, masquerading behind jackass benign sounding names like the ‘Patriot Act’ (ENABLING ACT) and the John Warner DEFENSE ACT (more dictatorship).
if you see SPLC and ADL ranting, you might as well be in the Tel Aviv office of the MOSSAD, because that’s exactly where that bullshit originates from, it’s wholly a MOSSAD OP on U.S. soil, both of these scummy filth are, and there is a huge amount of evidence to prove their being operated out of Tel Aviv by the ISRAELI INTELLIGENCE SERVICES (MOSSAD).
Remember what happened in 1967? Israeli Air Force and Navy attacked the USS Liberty even as the American Flag was on display. There has not been retribution to this day but there should be. A nuke over Tel Aviv would be a nice, warm feeling on a cold day.
End all aid to Israel. Impose the same sanctions they so desperately want us to impose on Iran. Force AIPAC to do business as what it is, an integrated arm of a foriegn government. Vote for no one who takes money from pro israeli pacs. Pass a law requiring US citizens to be dual citizens and remove all officials who refuse.
The axis of evil, the ADL, AIPAC, SPLC, ACLU, and the CFR.
Israeli leader gets warmer welcome in Congress(the Israeli oocupied )
" Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a warmer public reception from Congress than from the Obama administration, with a top Democrat and Republican joining Tuesday to praise a leader who has refused to back down in a disagreement the White House says threatens new peace talks.
The bipartisan welcome underscored the breadth of congressional support for Israel even when a U.S. president wants to keep his distance. And it pointed to the limited options, beyond verbal rebukes, that the Obama administration faces in pressuring the Jewish state.
"We in Congress stand by Israel," the leader of the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., assured Netanyahu at an all-smiles appearance before the cameras. "In Congress we speak with one voice on the subject of Israel."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100323/ap_on_go_ot/u…
No doubt there are subterranean choruses, "Jimmy Carter, Jimmy Carter", in the underground railroad tunnel. But there are signal differences–Bush and Cheney had trashed USD and the US economy before Obama took office. This history, naturally, the Neo-Cons and others are trying mightily to revise along the lines of the "bereshit" that opens the Old Testament. Will they be successful? On verra.
Get red of Abodz hijaz FIRST for liberation of Muslims & The Three Masajid.
On July 10, 1996, at a Joint Session of the United States Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a standing ovation for these words: “With America’s help, Israel has grown to be a powerful, modern state. …But I believe there can be no greater tribute to America’s long-standing economic aid to Israel than for us to be able to say: we are going to achieve economic independence. We are going to do it. In the next four years, we will begin the long-term process of gradually reducing the level of your generous economic assistance to Israel.”
http://www.counterpunch.org/nader03242010.html
Since 1996, the American taxpayers are still sending Israel $3 billion a year and providing assorted loan guarantees, waivers, rich technology transfers and other indirect assistance. Before George W. Bush left office a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Israel stipulated an assistance package of $30 billion over the next ten years to be transferred in a lump sum at the beginning of every fiscal year. Israel’s wars and colonies still receive U.S. taxpayer monies.
What happened to Mr. Netanyahu’s solemn pledge to the Congress? The short answer is that Congress never called in the pledge
http://www.counterpunch.org/nader03242010.html
Under U.S. law, military sales to Israel cannot be used for offensive purposes, only for “legitimate self-defense.” Nonetheless, there have been numerous violations of the Arms Export Control Act by Israel. Even the indifferent State Department has found, from time to time, that munitions such as cluster bombs were “likely violations.”
Violations would lead to a cut-off in aid but with the completely pro-Israel climate in Washington, the White House has never allowed such findings to be definitive.
The same indifference applies to violations of the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act that prohibits aid to countries engaging in consistent international human rights violations. These include the occupation, colonization, blockades and military assaults on civilians in the Palestinian West Bank and Gaza, regularly documented by the highly regarded Israeli human rights group B’Tselem as well as by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
http://www.counterpunch.org/nader03242010.html
Netanyahou may have gotten kicked in the a** by the White House but when he went to Congress, they licked his wounds.
The problem of the region is not Israel, neither in Palestine, nor in Iraq or in Afghanistan The problem is the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Vote for no one who takes money from pro israeli pacs.
These include the occupation, colonization, blockades and military assaults on civilians in the Palestinian West Bank and Gaza
Some blockades and military assaults are very cruel! There are civilians who really suffer!
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