“This is no moment for the pro-Israel movement to become selective about its friends.” So wrote AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) in a letter to its members. It was in defense of AIPAC’s policy of endorsing and directly contributing to the campaigns of so many of the leading proponents of full-on Trumpism, including the lie that the 2020 election was stolen. AIPAC’s policy and its defense of it are disturbing and morally unfit.
Great article David. I met Netanyahu when we both in a 3 letter college in Boston in the 70s. He was very strident. I felt he aligned with and even condoned immoral acts and people. And AIPAC has gone sometimes in dark places.
It doesn't diminish support for Israel or its people.
It’s worth considering AIPAC’s predicament: what if a lobbyist has no one left to lobby? This began with the JCPOA in 2015. AIPAC abandoned its historical agnosticism and announced that it would withhold support from anyone who voted for the Iran Deal. This occurred in the shadow of an avowed administration policy of putting “daylight” (Obama’s actual word) between the US and Israel, and the infamous lack of support for Israel at the DNC. To expect AIPAC to behave otherwise would be like asking a pro-choice lobbyist to support a pro-life candidate. Nonetheless, it reduced AIPAC’s congressional access substantially.
Disengaging from republicans who voted not to certify the election would reduce AIPAC’s reach even further. And what of the Democrats who contested certifications in 2000, 2004, and 2016? Are they off the list too? Finally, what about those who perpetuated the equally fraudulent claim that Trump was a Russian agent? So long Adam Schiff?
The 1/6 insurrection was unique in our history, but lies and dishonor aren’t. Stacey Abrams remains a fundraising juggernaut and a plausible candidate. Hilary still says Trump’s 2016 election was illegitimate. How does AIPAC find the line between Russian Facebook ads and rigged Dominion voting machines?
The US Congress is one of the few things standing between Israel and catastrophe. This is serious business and the stakes are high. I have no problem holding my nose and continuing to support AIPAC.
I understand your viewpoint. And I do not condone any of the excesses by Democrats you cite.
That said, I view Trump and those politicians who support him to be so noxious and such a real threat to America that I cannot support and in fact would oppose any political organization that aids therm. I do not consider that stance to be inconsistent with support of Israel, because if America is weakened, Israel is weakened.
As for the Iran deal, I hated it because (1) we gave so much away on non nuclear issues and (2) I thought Iran would take the money we gave them and cheat.
As it turns out, the evidence is that Iran did not cheat and the "giveaway" was water under the bridge.
So I thought abandoning it was an equally bad decision,.
I thought it was like agreeing to buy a building for $100 and putting up $50 in hard money.
now the building is worth $75. You don't back out of the deal.
Not saying that because you are in the re business, but because that's how i thought of it at the time Trump backed out.
This reminds me of the phrase, "My country right or wrong." Yes, it is my country in either case, but that does not mean I have to agree or support wrong policies. So it is with AIPAC. They are wrong on this and we should call them out for it.
Another important point is that all organizations are best served by noting and correcting their own mistakes, not leaving themselves open to outside criticism for inaction. By way of example, I point to both of our political parties. AIPAC should take it's own corrective action here. Good catch.
Great article David. I met Netanyahu when we both in a 3 letter college in Boston in the 70s. He was very strident. I felt he aligned with and even condoned immoral acts and people. And AIPAC has gone sometimes in dark places.
It doesn't diminish support for Israel or its people.
Thanks. Glad you liked it. And thanks for the interesting insight about the young Bibi.
Well said. I wonder how many donors are aware that this is where their money is going to.
Trump was a better friend to Israel than his predecessor and his successor. I can isolate those facts.
It’s worth considering AIPAC’s predicament: what if a lobbyist has no one left to lobby? This began with the JCPOA in 2015. AIPAC abandoned its historical agnosticism and announced that it would withhold support from anyone who voted for the Iran Deal. This occurred in the shadow of an avowed administration policy of putting “daylight” (Obama’s actual word) between the US and Israel, and the infamous lack of support for Israel at the DNC. To expect AIPAC to behave otherwise would be like asking a pro-choice lobbyist to support a pro-life candidate. Nonetheless, it reduced AIPAC’s congressional access substantially.
Disengaging from republicans who voted not to certify the election would reduce AIPAC’s reach even further. And what of the Democrats who contested certifications in 2000, 2004, and 2016? Are they off the list too? Finally, what about those who perpetuated the equally fraudulent claim that Trump was a Russian agent? So long Adam Schiff?
The 1/6 insurrection was unique in our history, but lies and dishonor aren’t. Stacey Abrams remains a fundraising juggernaut and a plausible candidate. Hilary still says Trump’s 2016 election was illegitimate. How does AIPAC find the line between Russian Facebook ads and rigged Dominion voting machines?
The US Congress is one of the few things standing between Israel and catastrophe. This is serious business and the stakes are high. I have no problem holding my nose and continuing to support AIPAC.
I understand your viewpoint. And I do not condone any of the excesses by Democrats you cite.
That said, I view Trump and those politicians who support him to be so noxious and such a real threat to America that I cannot support and in fact would oppose any political organization that aids therm. I do not consider that stance to be inconsistent with support of Israel, because if America is weakened, Israel is weakened.
As for the Iran deal, I hated it because (1) we gave so much away on non nuclear issues and (2) I thought Iran would take the money we gave them and cheat.
As it turns out, the evidence is that Iran did not cheat and the "giveaway" was water under the bridge.
So I thought abandoning it was an equally bad decision,.
I thought it was like agreeing to buy a building for $100 and putting up $50 in hard money.
now the building is worth $75. You don't back out of the deal.
Not saying that because you are in the re business, but because that's how i thought of it at the time Trump backed out.
This reminds me of the phrase, "My country right or wrong." Yes, it is my country in either case, but that does not mean I have to agree or support wrong policies. So it is with AIPAC. They are wrong on this and we should call them out for it.
Another important point is that all organizations are best served by noting and correcting their own mistakes, not leaving themselves open to outside criticism for inaction. By way of example, I point to both of our political parties. AIPAC should take it's own corrective action here. Good catch.
Well put. Thank you.