James Petras: Why Condemning Israel and the Zionist Lobby is So Important

[reprehensor]

The biggest threat to democracy in its fullest sense of the word -- the right to debate, to elect, to legislate free of coercion -- is found in the organized efforts of the Zionist lobby, to repress public debate, control candidate selection and campaigning, direct repressive legislation and security agencies against electoral constituencies opposing the Lobby's agenda for Israel. No other lobby or political action group has as much sustained and direct influence over the political process -- including the media, congressional debate and voting, candidate selection and financing of congressional allocation of foreign aid and Middle East agendas as the organized Zionist Power Configuration (ZPC) and its indirect spokespeople heading key Congressional positions. A first step toward reversing the erosion of our democratic freedoms is recognizing and publicly exposing the ZPC's nefarious organizational and financial activities and moving forward toward neutralizing their efforts.

Introduction

Many Jewish writers, including those who are somewhat critical of Israel, have raised pointed questions about our critique of the Zionist power configuration (ZPC) in the United States and what they wrongly claim are our singular harsh critique of the state of Israel. Some of these accusers claim to see signs of 'latent anti-Semitism,' others, of a more 'leftist' coloration, deny the influential role of the ZPC arguing that US foreign policy is a product of 'geo-politics or the interests of big oil. With the recent publication of several widely circulated texts, highly critical of the power of the Zionist 'lobby', several liberal pro-Israel publicists generously conceded that it is a topic that should be debated (and not automatically stigmatized and dismissed) and perhaps be 'taken into account.'

ZPC Deniers: Phony Arguments for Fake Claims

The main claims of ZPC deniers take several tacks: Some claim that the ZPC is just 'another lobby' like the Chamber of Commerce, the Sierra Club or the Society for the Protection of Goldfish. Others claim that by focusing mainly on Israel and by inference the 'Lobby', the critics of Zionism ignore the equally violent abuses of rulers, regimes and states elsewhere. This 'exclusive focus' on Israel, the deniers of ZPC argue, reveals a latent or overt anti-Semitism. They propose that human rights advocates condemn all human rights abusers everywhere (at the same time and with the same emphasis?). Others still argue that Israel is a democracy -- at least outside of the Occupied Territories (OT) -- and therefore is not as condemnable as other human rights violators and should be 'credited' for its civic virtues along with its human rights failings. Finally, others still claim that, because of the Holocaust and the 'History-of-Two-Thousand-Years-of-Persecution', criticism of Jewish-funded and led pro-Israel lobbies should be handled with great prudence, making it clear that one criticizes only specific abuses, investigates all charges -- especially those from Arab/Palestinian/United Nations/European/Human Rights sources -- and recognizes that Israeli public opinion, the press and even the Courts or sectors of them may also be critical of regime policies.

These objections to treating the Israeli-Palestinian-Arab conflict and the activities of Zionist Lobbies as central to peace and war serve to dilute, dissipate and deflate criticism and organized political activity directed at the ZPC and its directors in Israel.

The response of the critics of Israel and the ZPC to these attacks has been weak at best and cowardly at worst. Some critics have responded that their criticism is only directed toward a specific policy or leader, or to Israeli policies in the OT and that they recognize Israel is a democracy, that it requires secure borders, and that it is in the interests of the Israeli 'people' to lower their security barriers. Others argue that their criticism is directed at securing Israeli interests, influencing the Zionist Lobby or to opening a debate. They claim that the views of 'most' Jews' in the US are not represented by the 52 organizations that make up the Presidents of the Major Jewish Organizations of America, or the thousands of PACs, local federations, professional associations and weekly publications which speak with one voice as unconditional supporters of every twist and turn in the policy of the Zionist State.

There are numerous similar lines of criticism, which basically avoid the fundamental issues raised by the Israeli state and the ZPC, and which we are obliged to address. The reason that criticism and action directed against Israel and the ZPC is of central importance today in any discussion of US foreign policy, especially (but not exclusively) of Middle East policy and US domestic policymaking is that they play a decisive role and have a world-historic impact on the present and future of world peace and social justice. We turn now to examine the 'big questions' facing Americans as a result of the power of Israel in the United States...

Continued...
http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Dec06/Petras25.htm

[eallen]

1. That's one of the silliest things I've ever read.

Israel certainly has its failings. But to call the Zionist lobby not just illiberal in some ways, but "the biggest threat to democracy" marks the writer as nothing less than a raving wingnut.

:hippie:

[msmcghee]

2. Agreed.

This is from an internet blog called "The Dissenting Voice" run by a musician and a scuba diver from N. California.

I think that's fine and I like to see all pov's spreading across the people's medium. But, based on the writing quality and obscurity of the authors represented here this is hardly a source that has any credibility or reputation on the matter.

I would note that wingnuts come in both right and left-hand threads.

[Lurking Dem]

12. quelle surprise

the writer is a Counterpunch contributor.

David Duke thinks he's just swell:

http://www.davidduke.com/general/dr-james-petras-analyzes-middle-east-events_1519.html

[Solo_in_MD]

4. Concur

ravings and ramblings and little else

[On the Road]

5. The Writer Goes Overboard

One of the biggest enemies of successful dissent is poorly defended extremism.

It's quite an achievement, because it's difficult to overstate how bad the effect of the Israeli lobby has been.

[Tom Joad]

11. Yes, i do think he overstates things, despite the truth that this lobby is not doing

anyone any good. Certainly truth in that. Yet US policy in international relations has not been good long before there was an aipac or such. When Mark Twain railed against US imperialism, there was no aipac or Israel lobby...

AIPAC and the ADL and the others just make a bad situation worse. That enough should be reason to challange their power. They certainly make a difference in Middle East policy... and they support the very worst of it.

[burythehatchet]

3. Bravo

[Lurking Dem]

16. You agree with the OP then?

[cali]

19. I don't think you have a clue

as to what you just endorsed with your "bravo". However, your endorsement doesn't say much about your ability to read or use critical thinking skills, that's for sure.

[burythehatchet]

20. I'm all out of cash otherwise I would buy a clue from you

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

[cali]

22. So, you think it's just a riot

that you endorsed rank anti-semitism. Congratulations on that.

[burythehatchet]

23. I wish you were closer to me

so you could kiss my freshly shorn ass.

[cali]

26. It's just pathetic

that you can't admit you were wrong to endorse blatant bigotry. And oh, yeah, even if I was closer to you, I'd pass on your ever so eloquent invitation.

[Behind the Aegis]

29. change a couple of letters in "kiss" and it might be worth the time.

:evilgrin:

[burythehatchet]

30. That would be KILL. Bring it douchebag

I have very clear mapquest directions for reference.

[Behind the Aegis]

32. actually...that wasn't what I was thinking... "ck"

[burythehatchet]

34. same response.

[Name removed]

36. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[burythehatchet]

37. not at the moment

I'm laughing my ass off. Maybe its a sad laughter.

[Behind the Aegis]

39. so threatening violence and supporting bigoted articles...

...tickles your funny bone? fascinating. Though, it's not the first time I have seen you do this. You must laugh alot...much like the Joker.

[burythehatchet]

40. no numbnuts, you brought up the subject of violence

I abhor violence but will never back away from a just confrontation. You indicated it might be enjoyable to kick my ass, I am merely offering you the opportunity, should you choose to peek out from behind the keyboard.

[Behind the Aegis]

41. thin-skinned...not a good sign.

Of course this whole exchange, if not the thread, will go the way of the dinosaur.

[cali]

33. Do you have any frigging clue

as to what a joke you look like???

[burythehatchet]

35. No, but watching you chase your tail is thoroughly enjoyable.

let's keep this kicked.

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[cali]

28. You're the one that said bravo

to a piece of bigoted filth. You won't back down, so live with what you evidently are. Just don't expect others to pat you on the back for it.

[eagler]

6. This only shows that anti-Semitism is not dead

nt

[msmcghee]

7. I'd actually like to know what undue influence AIPAC has on US policy.

If it is true. All I've heard from posters here is that AIPAC is basically responsible for everything bad the US does in foreign policy, especially the ME - and it is strongly implied that all the Dems in leadership positions and who plan to run for executive office next election who strongly support Israel - only do so because they are beholden to AIPAC for their political futures somehow.

Are there any reasonable cases to be made that show AIPAC to have "undue" influence on our politics, other than perhaps the influence of the relatively small number of Jewish voters who may be inclined to follow AIPAC's lead (if they even have a lead, I don't know) when it comes to elections.

Is there some AIPAC "endorsement" list of good politicians to vote for? Has AIPAC been caught dangling millions in campaign donations in front of Dem politicians to cause them to vote against America's interests and for Israel's interests - because they really want those bucks and that kind of money just is not available elsewhere?

I guess I'm asking for a reasonable argument that something actually bad for America is happening here.

[Lurking Dem]

8. reprehensible

[aquart]

9. How nice of you to post this here.

Use of "zionist" as a pejorative is a tipoff though.

My, you do hunt out interesting things to read and believe.

Let me know when you post about Darfur. I would also like to see your threads condemning the anti-democratic actions in, say, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria, Libya, Egypt........Got any links to those?

[Tom Joad]

10. The Israel Lobby is one of the last bastions of support for Bush et. al.

It’s no great secret why the Jewish agencies continue to trumpet support for the discredited policies of this failed administration. They see defense of Israel as their number-one goal, trumping all other items on the agenda. That single-mindedness binds them ever closer to a White House that has made combating Islamic terrorism its signature campaign. The campaign’s effects on the world have been catastrophic. But that is no concern of the Jewish agencies. Given the record, the agencies’ paeans to Bolton come as no surprise. And yet, they still offend. Coming barely a month after the midterm elections, in which Jews voted 7-1 against the Bush record, the statements show a communal representative structure working directly against the wishes and values of the community it purports to represent.

http://www.forward.com/articles/dear-john/

The thing is though, many would not see that this administration is serving anyone, except the gods of war.


www.stopAIPAC.org

[msmcghee]

14. Thanks for the link to www.stopAIPAC.org

I found there that AIPAC is a 100,000 member group of Americans who are concerned about Israel's plight in the world. It's 503c3 organization.

They present no evidence that this organization is supporting Israel's interests at the expense of US interests as a matter of policy.

A little checking on google shows that there are many Arab - American lobbying groups like James Zogby's Arab American Institute who also try to influence US lawmakers to see their side of issues more favorably.

I think they are all fine as petitioning our government is one of our most basic rights.

[Tom Joad]

15. Yes, they are free to support Bush and his extremism... and we are free to oppose it.

AIPAC is free to support the slaughter in Lebanon http://www.stopaipac.org/aipaclebanon.htm
, and people of conscience are free to oppose it.

The Israel Lobby is free to not care about US standing in the world, and support the likes of John Bolton, and we are free to oppose it. http://www.forward.com/articles/dear-john/

The Israel lobby is free to pass illegally obtained secrets from the US govt and pass them on to a foreign govt... wait... no, that's against the law. http://www.stopaipac.org/spystory.htm ooops, sorry. aipac can't do that.

[cali]

13. a classic

thinly (very thinly) veiled evil ZOG crap. That anyone would take this piece of shit as an appropriate spur to real discussion about the power of AIPAC, is disturbing.

[Behind the Aegis]

17. Anti-Semitic filth...not EVEN cleverly disguised.

The author of this piece uses anti-Semitic rhetoric in much of his writings. I was unfamiliar with him so I did a search...HOLY SHIT!

Kristalnacht, the 1939 Nazi assault on Jewish homes, stores and persons in “reprisal” for a Jew killing a German Embassy officer, was a garden party compared to the Jewish State's ongoing destruction of Lebanon.

...

All the major Jewish organizations in the US, Europe and Canada pledge fealty to the Israeli state and endorse its crimes against humanity as do all the mass media; they influence or control the US Congress, executive branch and trade union confederations in the US.... On July 14, 2006 the Jewish Lobby propaganda and power machine went into action criticizing Bush over his concern for the Lebanese client regime, which the White House had so laboriously put in place (Forward July 14, 2006).

...

The unanimity of the major Jewish organizations support for Israeli ethnocide extends to the “peace time” Israeli peace organizations and progressives like Amos Oz, who calls on Israel's peace organizations to close ranks behind the butchers of Beirut in the name of the “defense” of Israel.

...

...The US peace movement, prohibited by its Jewish progressives from voicing outrage at Israel, let alone the Lobby, is moribund. Once again, Israel gets away with murder; its overseas political transmission belts dominate the mass media. The US Congress kneels to the Lobby's dictates....

source

There are so many more examples it is frightening! This man has a warped sense of history and is a bigot to boot!

[cali]

18. And yet,

it's totally unsurprising that this piece of shit written by a bigot would be posted. And pathetic that it doesn't appear to trouble long time posters. This in not a legitimate I/P piece, and I find it discouraging that the mods didn't note that it's a.) blatantly bigoted, and b.) from a blog, not a recognized news source.

Shameful.

[Behind the Aegis]

21. The anti-Israeli disease

Just as there are those of us who are accused of being "Israeli firsters" or the "Israel can do no wrong" crowd, there is a subset of posters here who are actually "Israeli haters." These people should not be confused with pro-Palestinian posters or even some anti-Israeli posters. No, the "Israeli haters" reflexively post on anything Israeli, no matter how mundane, including posts about sports, medicine, and research. From them we get articles from the likes of Pat Buchanan and Paul Craig Roberts and are told, "a broken clock is right twice a day." They are the ones that deride anything Israeli and look to blame Israel for a mass of things. Some of the conspiracy theorists are also in this group, thus the special rules for the 9-11 forum.

Anti-Semitism is strong in this country, and it has even taken hold in the left. The sad thing is that many seem to dismiss it, minimize it, or ignore it. That is a dangerous path to take. You and I both know it exists, even on the left. We have seen a few long-time posters make some pretty anti-Semitic remarks, so it isn't always 'freeps' or others trying to make DU look bad. The Democrats and liberals, in general, should be a "big-tent" group; however, the tent should have NO place for bigotry of any kind!

As for the mods, there are only two for this forum. So, sometimes things get posted that last longer than they would in the main forums that have several moderators. I have no doubt that ones they see this POS, they will either lock it or "disappear" it. The selfish side of me wants for them to just lock it, that way when the poster comes along saying there is no anti-Semitism here, and they have never seen it (and I know you have seen those posters as well), we will have an easy reference for them. Of course, they will pass it off as..."well, that is just one example." When they say that, it tells me what I need to know.

[Violet_Crumble]

27. What do you mean by that?

And pathetic that it doesn't appear to trouble long time posters.

Please explain what you mean by that and why you've never reacted in this way when bigoted comments and articles aimed at Muslims and Arabs don't appear to trouble long time posters.

Also, give the mods a break. They're not online all the time and if you have a complaint you should be hitting alert rather than complaining in a thread about it...

[cali]

31. Baloney.

I've certainly gotten into it with longtime posters. Quite recently as a matter of fact, but to date I haven't seen any long time posters, put up and endorse anything as vile as this about Muslims.

Oh, and I've certainly seen you complain vociferously and frequently on threads.

[Violet_Crumble]

38. No you haven't....

Focus. It's not about me.

You have never appeared in a thread where there's been blatant bigotry against Arabs and Muslims and say something like: 'And pathetic that it doesn't appear to trouble long time posters.' I've never seen you repeatedly post again and again with the same level of outrage as you did here. Something about Muslims has to be as vile as that article for you to say anything? Sorry, but that's just a cop-out...

[cali]

43. Sure it's about you.

You don't get to define what it's about. And you're wrong about my not condemning anti-Muslim posters. I have in the past. I will in the future, and sadly you're aware that I have. And if I ever see anything as blatantly ugly posted about Muslims here at DU, I'll respond to it in exactly the same way as I responded to the shit in Freeperville about identifying American Muslims and deporting them. Remember that OP of mine? I'm sure you do. You posted on it.

Too bad your indignation, my dear Violet, is spent sputtering about me, and your perception that I don't condemn anti-Muslim bigotry as vocally as I do anti-semitism, instead of condemning the piece of garbage that the OP posted.

[Violet_Crumble]

44. No, you trying to turn things round unsuccessfully doesn't make anything About Me...

Try reading my post again properly, Cali. I did NOT as yr now claiming say you hadn't spoken out against anti-Arab posters in the past. I've seen you arrive in a thread and make one or two comments before leaving. What I was very clear in saying was that you have never reacted the way as you did in this thread where you said it was pathetic that this didn't bother long time posters. That's where I think yr posts display a double-standard. Sitting in a thread after you've made that comment surrounded by posters who jump on the slightest whiff of antisemitism but who rarely if ever speak out against bigotry against Muslims or Arabs is just proof of that. Call it indignation and spluttering if that makes you feel good about yrself, but I'll call it what it is when I see it. You demand that others not be hypocritical in their attitudes but don't hold yr own posts to the same high standard....

[cali]

45. I read your post and I responded

as I saw fit, despite your attempt at bullying. And feel free to call me on anything you want. BTW, I don't demand anything from posters in I/P. That seems to be your niche.

[Violet_Crumble]

48. Calm down, Cali...

There's no bullying about what I posted, and I wish you had read it properly and taken into account in a constructive way what was said. You don't demand anything of posters in the I/P forum? Gosh, I wish we could all be as perfect as you seem to think you are ;)

[cali]

52. Of course you were

bullying, Violet. Deny it as you will. Nor have I said anywhere that I think I'm perfect, but hey, don't let that stop you from putting words in my mouth. As for calming down, I'm quite calm, but thank you so much for your warm concern.

[Violet_Crumble]

53. No, I wasn't..

I'll deny it because it's not true. I didn't say that you've said anywhere that you think yr perfect, btw...

[Name removed]

50. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[oberliner]

25. Here is my favorite section:

"In this sense the Lobby through its media, Congressional influence and think tanks is creating an Israeli look-alike. Like Israel, the US has established its own Pentagon assassination teams; like Israel, it invades and colonizes Iraq; like Israel, it violates and rejects any constitutional or international legal restraints and systematically tortures accused but untried prisoners."

So the Zionist/Jewish Lobby (this article uses both designations) with all its vast power and influence is turning the once kind-hearted, benevolent United States into a country that invades, colonizes, and tortures!

I cannot believe that something like this would be posted here and that anyone could respond to it favorably.

[Tom Joad]

42. Regarding the "Jewish Lobby" designation... It is offensive.

I too find it offensive. Yet that is the designation of the lobbies for Israeli policy used not only by some of its detractors, but its greatest supporters. They do not differentiate their groups from Jewish people at all.

e.g. Letter to aipac members... from Howard Friedman, President of AIPAC, talking about supporting Israel's attack on the people of Lebanon, and the US refusal to support an early ceasefire:

only ONE nation in the world came out and flatly declared: Let Israel finish the job. . That nation is the United States of America--and the reason it had such a clear, unambiguous view of the situation is YOU and the rest of America Jewry.

I can tell you that i know many more Jewish folks who are offended by Friedman's misrepresentation (conflating aipac with "american Jewry") than anything Petras says. Many American Jews were horrified at what Israel did in lebanon this summer.

And what of the the talk of "Jewish Agencies", and that they do not care about US standing in the world, but only about Israel.
http://www.forward.com/articles/dear-john/

It’s no great secret why the Jewish agencies continue to trumpet support for the discredited policies of this failed administration. They see defense of Israel as their number-one goal, trumping all other items on the agenda. That single-mindedness binds them ever closer to a White House that has made combating Islamic terrorism its signature campaign. The campaign’s effects on the world have been catastrophic. But that is no concern of the Jewish agencies. Given the record, the agencies’ paeans to Bolton come as no surprise. And yet, they still offend. Coming barely a month after the midterm elections, in which Jews voted 7-1 against the Bush record, the statements show a communal representative structure working directly against the wishes and values of the community it purports to represent.

Is the editor of Forward "anti-semitic" as well? After all, he says the Jewish establishment does not care about the US, but puts Israel first.

[Behind the Aegis]

46. ...

"I can tell you that i know many more Jewish folks who are offended by Friedman's misrepresentation (conflating aipac with "american Jewry") than anything Petras says. Many American Jews were horrified at what Israel did in lebanon this summer."

That really says something about the Jews you know. While I don't care to see either side conflating "Jews" and "Israel," when it comes from a Jewish source, it is almost understandable. The first example you provide, while conflating, doesn't employ anti-Semitism. When it becomes as disgusting as Petras is when Jews conflate the two and mix in old anti-Semitic canards, like the second example you provide.

You are aware that anyone can be anti-Semitic, yes?

[Tom Joad]

49. I don't like the idea of confusing a people with the policies of a nation-state.

God knows i am really offended with anyone who would confuse me with the current policies of the not so *United States*. I distance myself as much as possible, thank you.

[Behind the Aegis]

51. Do you not see the difference?

What other group gets conflated with a nation-state more than Jews? As Americans, yes, there are those who would conflate us (our nationality) with the policies of the US. That is unfortunate. However, Jews, no matter their nationality, get conflated with Israel and her policies. The difference? One group (Americans) belong to the nation in question. The other group, Jews, can belong to a number of different nations, yet will be blamed for a nation where they may or may not hold citizenship. I think that is pretty unique among Jews. So, it is not surprising that, at times, Jews even conflate the two. The difference? Generally, when Jews conflate it is out of heritage. When other conflate, it is generally out of bigotry.

[Tom Joad]

54. It seems like Howard Friedman conflates Israel's policies with US Jews, and

seems to believe they (not just particular lobby groups) are responsible for US support for Israel's brutal attack on Lebanon, and Bush's slowness in calling for a ceasefire (wasn't it wonderful, he says, that US Jewry stopped such a thing!). Does it get any worse than that?

You should write him a note.

[oberliner]

47. I didn't call anyone anti-semitic

All I did was express shock and displeasure that an article that postulated that there is a causal relationship between the influence of the Jewish/Zionist Lobby and United States' invasion and colonization of Iraq and subsequent torturing of unjustly arrested prisoners would be posted here and be met with some degree of agreement.

Doesn't the idea that "the Lobby through its media, Congressional influence and think tanks is creating an Israeli look-alike" strike you as ridiculous and/or offensive?

[undergroundrailroad]

55. Locking per I/P Guidelines

In the very words of James Brown; "please, please, PLEASE!"


Undergroundrailroad
DU Moderator
Israel/Palestine Forum