‘Israeli-Occupied’ Congress No More

[Purveyor]

By ABRAHAM KATSMAN11/26/2012

For those of us in the pro-Israel camp who were disappointed by the reelection of President Barack Obama, there’s more bad news.

While there is no dearth of analysis of the impact of the US presidential election on the America-Israel relationship, Israel’s military and diplomatic strategies or on Israel’s upcoming elections, analysis of the Congress that has just been elected has been in short supply.

And while the precise impact of this election is difficult to predict, there is one inescapable conclusion: The incoming 113th Congress to be sworn in this January is materially more left-leaning and materially less pro-Israel than the outgoing 112th.

Especially on the Democrats’ side.

MORE...

http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-EdContributors/Article.aspx?id=293538

[geek tragedy]

1. What a noxious turd of an article. A neocon using ZOG langauge, and it goes down hill from there nt

[dennis4868]

2. One thing I have a hard time understanding...

is that he implies that Obama is bad for Israel. The facts say something else entirely different. Obama has been one of the best presidents Israel could ever hope for.

[garthranzz]

8. Yep. But what the heck -

since when did neocons or Republicans care about facts?
W. - let's see, 9/11, the intifada, the Hezbollah disaster in Lebanon, strengthening of Iran, Hamas in Gaza - oh, but he was so good for Israel because he wouldn't talk to Arafat.

And I think Obama's speech in Egypt during his first term, his response to Libya, and the Arab Spring, make dialogue possible.

That's not counting all the quiet support he's given.

Thank you!!

[dennis4868]

12. great points!

[longship]

3. Likud is what's bad for Israel. nt

[chaska]

4. John Michael Greer - bravely - has taken on the subject....

of Israel this week. It's a must-read for both friends and foes of Israel.

And as I always say, John Michael Greer is the smartest man on the web.

http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.com/2012/11/in-twilight-of-empires.html

[democrattotheend]

5. Shouldn't this go in the I/P forum?

I thought posts about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict had to go there (except late breaking news) because of how divisive the issue is here.

[Purveyor]

7. This has more to do with US policy than Gaza. eom

[Sadiedog]

6. With the budget crisis what it is

I`m afraid that I would be more than happy if aid to other Countries was decreased rather than give up more in social programs here at home. It irks me that this is never on the table yet Social Security is. Am I missing something. Also I am talking not just about aid to Israel.

[no_hypocrisy]

9. Re Steve Rothman

As one example of this election’s negative impact on Israel, Rothman’s loss may be particularly tough. A 16-year Congressman, Rothman served on the House Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense, which apportions how much US military aid goes to Israel.

He was known to have spearheaded efforts behind the scenes to increase aid for Israel’s most critical defense programs and promote an ever-closer military alliance between Israel and the US. He was defeated in the primaries by Democrat and Israel critic Bill Pascrall in a campaign focused on Rothman’s support for Israel – or as his growing Arab constituency put it, “loyalty to a foreign flag.”

Clarification: I worked on Bill Pascrell's primary campaign with the WEDO women (Women Empowered Democratic Organization of Passaic County). We did countless hours of phone-banking, canvassing, and getting the vote out in several municipalities in both Bergen County and Passaic County. We did not "go there", meaning Israel, the growing Muslim communities in Paterson and Passaic. We stressed the hard work that our congressman has done and how he's delivered much federal aid and help to our communities. We introduced him to new towns in the reconfigured district. Even when there was a voter who didn't like Pascrell, he'd personally call them to find out what he could do better or differently.

Rothman decided to buy TV air time to run commercials about questioning Bill Pascrell's dedication to Israel, not Pascrell. (The republican candidate for the 9th district, Shmuley Boteach, followed Rothman's playbook and also unsuccessfully lost the debate and the election.) Pascrell was critical of Israel, but it wasn't wholesale; it was about particular issues that should be addressed without being called antisemitic or anti-Zionist.

[Codeine]

11. Try not to salivate too enthusiastically at the prospect. nt

[Comrade_McKenzie]

13. I see the AIPAC crowd attacked another DUer for stepping out of line.

Carry on, comrade.

On the topic at hand: GOOD!

[Arkana]

14. Boo goddamn hoo.

This country could stand to be a little less pro-Israel and a little more pro-human rights.

Breathlessly defending everything Israel does because they're Israel isn't good foreign policy.

[yellowcanine]

15. And where has the no questions asked support for Israel gotten Israel?

Few of the neocons want to answer that question. IMO it has mainly encouraged hardliners in Israel and thwarted the peace process.

[JiminyJominy]

16. Some People

In this country in positions of power seem to have more of an allegience to Israel than to the USA.

[leftynyc]

17. Do you care to name names

Or are you content to hide behind the pathetic and cowardly fox news-like "some people say"?