Code Pink: We're Behind Hoax AIPAC Demand For Settlement Freeze

[oberliner]

Medea Benjamin of Code Pink tells TPMmuckraker that the left-wing activist group orchestrated the bogus AIPAC press release calling for a settlement freeze that got picked up by several major news organizations today.

Benjamin says she and a colleague stood outside the AIPAC conference hall today dressed in suits and handed out copies of the statement to confused attendees.

"Some of the staff snatched them out of our hands, and said, 'It's not true, AIPAC is not calling for a settlement freeze,'" she says. "Then we heard attendees saying, 'Wait, is it true? Maybe AIPAC has changed its position to get closer to the Obama Administration.'"

AIPAC has not responded to a request for comment.

Benjamin declined to say how the group made the press release, which got picked up on NPR, C-SPAN, and Al Jazeera, appear to come from an email address with AIPAC's domain name.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/03/code_pink_behind_fake_aipac_call_for_settlement_fr.php?ref=mp

[Jefferson23]

1. That is hilarious. n/t

[ProgressiveMuslim]

2. AIPAC to media: "AIPAC does not support a settlment freeze!" WTF? WHY NOT??

LOL!
I love Code Pink!

[ProgressiveMuslim]

3. Code Pink plan to erect homes (with beds) in Schumer's and Lieberman's offices!

Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 23, at noon CODEPINK is planning to build a settlement (including homes and beds) inside Senator Schumer’s and Senator Lieberman’s offices (Hart Senate Building, offices 313 and 706).

http://mondoweiss.net/2010/03/codepink-activists-disrupt-netanyahu-and-use-the-aipac-directors-table-to-do-it.html

[oberliner]

4. How did that work out?

Any info on what took place during that action? Were they able to set up homes and beds inside those offices?

[ProgressiveMuslim]

9. I haven't seen news reports yet... I hope they were able to pull it off. Love those women! nt

[oberliner]

14. You think they have set up a bed and are sleeping in Chuck Schumer's office?

I would imagine that would've made some news outlet somewhere (or have at least been mentioned on their website).

[ProgressiveMuslim]

17. I think it's a brilliant tactic to illutrate the concept "illegal settlement." I get the sense

that you disapprove. Is that accurate.

[oberliner]

21. I think it is idiotic, yes

Makes Code Pink look like morons.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

28. Do you think the faux press release was moronic as well?

[oberliner]

32. More dishonest and immature than moronic

One would think that it would be possible to express one's ideas without resorting to lying and trickery.

[Douglas Carpenter]

5. youtube video interviews with Code Pink at AIPAC conference

link on DU Political Video Forum:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x446344

.

[Douglas Carpenter]

6. Several major news outlets picked up the statement before AIPAC issued a denial

http://www.democracynow.org/2010/3/23/headlines/code_pink_disrupts_netanyahu_speech_pull_offs_aipac_hoax

It was a truly brilliant hoax because it forces AIPAC to indirectly admit to the media that they do not support a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

[oberliner]

8. Which major news outlets were those?

Anything besides NPR, CSpan, and Al Jazeerah as mentioned in the OP?

[ProgressiveMuslim]

11. BTW, Oberliner...are you an AIPAC donor/member/supporter?

[oberliner]

12. Chanelling Joseph McCarthy?

Are you now or have you ever been a member of the Communist party?

[ProgressiveMuslim]

16. Just inquiring about your affiliation with this organization. Taking the 5th? nt

[oberliner]

22. I am their Vice President in charge of Internet Message Board Postings

[ProgressiveMuslim]

29. Why are you so cagey?

Usually, I find regulars here who won't just say what they think aren't forthright for a reason.

[oberliner]

33. Because it is entertaining?

I am learning from the Code Pinkers - the best way to make a point is to play silly immature games!

[ProgressiveMuslim]

36. Card carrier, I take it? LOL!

I am an open book, secure in my beliefs and proud of my principles.

I guess I have a hard time "getting" that not everyone feels like that.

[LeftishBrit]

34. There are plenty of 'reasons' people can have for being cagey about discussing particular issues in

this forum.

Often just that people find that their views get twisted around. To be honest, I think you're doing to Oberliner here pretty much what some people do, unfairly, to you: "If she doesn't explicitly denounce Hamas tactics in the wording that I like, she must be a Hamas supporter"; "If he doesn't explicitly denounce or disown AIPAC, then he must be a supporter of the Occupation" - similar arguments IMO.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

35. People here have a right to ask me if I support Hamas. I typically answer, "no."

While they were the democratically elected body in the last elections, they aren't a party that represents my own views.

I support The Third Way.... proudly and openly.

YOu have shared info about organizations with whom you're aligned and involved.

What's the big deal about being honest?

What I object to is when someone like Shira butts into a conversation to DEMAND if I believe this or that... usually done as a tactic to derail other conversation.

In this instance I am asking another regular, with whom I frequently interact, what his affiliation is. I truly don't understand why he's so cagey. If he belongs, and is ashamed to say so, he should re-think his involvement. If the belongs and isn't ashamed, he should say so. If he doesn't belong, what's the big deal? I truly genuinely curious.

[Violet_Crumble]

38. My understanding is that Oberliner has no issues at all discussing AIPAC...

However, I found that when I asked him in another thread if he was a member of AIPAC and gave him an explanation of why I'd like to know, he got very cranky and a bit rude. I find that sort of behaviour and evasiveness just a bit bizarre as I have no problem at all telling people what groups I'm a member of if they ask. I believe that giving them a genuine answer helps reduce others twisting round my views. Of course there are those who still twist round my views, but that won't stop me giving honest answers to questions when I'm asked them.

Anyway, I've apologised most sincerely and unreservedly to Oberliner for any distress caused to him by me asking him if he's a member of AIPAC and will remember in future not to ask him any questions, lest he and you feel that answering those questions will lead to views being twisted round...

[ProgressiveMuslim]

42. I am proud of my principles and my affiliations. To each his own I guess!

[oberliner]

48. You apologized most sincerely and unreserverdly?

I must have missed where you did that.

[Violet_Crumble]

49. I most assuredly did!

You must have missed it!

[oberliner]

50. Oh well - thank you then

I appreciate that.

[Douglas Carpenter]

7. Here's the full text of the hoax statement:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Josh Block March 22, 2010
AIPAC CALLS ON THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT
TO IMMEDIATELY DEFUSE TENSIONS
WITH UNITED STATES
URGES ISRAEL TO FREEZE ALL SETTLEMENTS


With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveling to the United States to speak at the AIPAC 2010 Policy Conference and meet with President Barack Obama, AIPAC reaffirms the U.S-Israel relationship rooted in mutual strategic interest, shared democratic values, and a commitment to peace in the region. To further solidify this relationship, AIPAC calls on the Netanyahu government to make a conscious effort to move away from actions that create tensions between the two governments and undermine prospects for Israel-Palestine peace. AIPAC therefore calls on the Israeli government to immediately freeze new settlement projects, both in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

AIPAC agrees with Vice President Joe Biden that the Israeli government plan for new housing units in East Jerusalem "undermines the trust that we need right now in order to begin ... profitable negotiations." It also seconds the position of AIPAC keynote speaker Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who said that the U.S. government wants to see a freeze on settlements - "not some settlements, not outposts, not 'natural growth' exceptions."

AIPAC applauds the Israeli government's recent announcement that it will ease the restrictions on materials allowed into Gaza, especially materials needed for rebuilding the sewage system and buildings destroyed during Operation Cast Lead.

AIPAC believes that an easing of the tensions between the United States and Israel is critical to move forward with the substantive work that needs to be done to thwart Iran's dangerous pursuit of nuclear weapons, and to move forward in the peace process between Israel and all of her Arab neighbors. It strongly urges Israel to work closely and privately with the Obama administration, in a manner befitting strategic allies, to address a wide range of critical issues, including settlements, the status of East Jerusalem and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

"With the good faith gesture of freezing settlements, Israel can generate a new equilibrium in the Middle East that assures," said AIPAC executive director Howard Kohr.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/03/aipac_press_get_punkd_by_fake_call_for_settlement.php

[ProgressiveMuslim]

10. The hoax certainly exposed AIPAC's shameful position! nt

[oberliner]

13. Haniyeh Press Release: We renounce violence and recognize Israel's right to exist

Now that would be a neat hoax - maybe Code Pink can get on it!

[FarrenH]

15. Relevant how?

[ProgressiveMuslim]

18. Oberliner likens AIPAC to Hamas. Interesting comparison.

Oberliner seems to dislike this criticism of AIPAC, which really suprises me given his strong commitment to peace.

Wouldn't anyone who supports peace applaud the exposure of AIPAC's pro-settlement (and anti-peace) agenda?

[oberliner]

20. In the sense that their leaders both support unpopular positions, sure

In fact, I would argue that Josh Block's positions are less popular worldwide than Ismail Haniyeh's.

What that says about the world at large is not for me to determine.

[oberliner]

19. Fake press release to get a someone to defend an unpleasant position

Josh Block had to defend not supporting a settlement freeze.

Ismail Haniyeh would have to defend not supporting an end to violence.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

30. They also don't support the AMERICAN position, or the position of INTERNATIONAL LAW

it's more than "unpleasant."

On this issue AIPAC is not line with their fellow Americans.

[Douglas Carpenter]

23. you have managed to compared AIPAC to both Hamas and the Communist Party on this thread

Is that because you consider all three to be extremist organization?

[oberliner]

24. Which of those three organizations holds positions that are the least popular here?

That would be an interesting survey question!

[Douglas Carpenter]

25. globally? probably AIPAC

but, to be somewhat serious - I would agree that Hamas is just as extreme and just as much an obstacle to peace at this time as AIPAC. I would hope both would change their positions. But I would support efforts to bring both to the table and talking with both. I just wouldn't want either to be significantly influencing American policy in the Middle East.

[oberliner]

26. I think so too

Especially if you didn't put the names with the positions.

I think people have serious misunderstandings about what AIPAC is.

However, I do agree that RW elements in that organization are quite dominant these days, much to the chagrin of more moderate and LW voices.

I believe that was part of what has helped J Street get off the ground.

[LeftishBrit]

31. While it would in principle be a neat hoax to do it to both sides...

this was being done in the offices of American (not Israeli) politicians; and I would assume that few American politicians support Hamas.

The plausible equivalent would be if Code Pink or someone did something like that at the UN. Actually, once that was started, it need not even be restricted to the Israeli/Palestinian issue.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

43. that makes no sense. Would anyone in the UN be flush with embarrassment to say they don't support

something Hamas does?

Bottom line: AIPAC was revealed as holding a position that is counter to US stated beliefs (and international law... and common decency) when they spend their whole existence trying to sell us that there is no difference between American and Israeli agendas!

"We do NOT call for a halt in Isareli settlements."

Really? WHY NOT??

[LeftishBrit]

44. I think that an abrupt seeming change in the I/P situation on either side...

could cause significant confusion in a number of countries in the UN. And who knows, maybe it will one day.



'"We do NOT call for a halt in Isareli settlements."

Really? WHY NOT??'


And I agree, that is the sad part of this incident.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

45. I know that Oberliner can't bring himself to say "shame on AIPAC" for having such an immoral

position. But surely you can, without having to try to assign blame evenly!

[LeftishBrit]

46. I can and do say it (at least, shame on the *majority* of AIPAC). But it doesn't really make that

difference what I say on the matter, as I am not American. I did try to join J-Street,but couldn't for the same reason.

My disagreements with some people about AIPAC are not about whether AIPAC's current positions are moral or immoral, but about whether they have the power sometimes attributed to them. They have power - most lobbies do - but they don't run America.

But they are wrong to support Israel's current policies; and I think will have reduced influence if they continue to do so, now that America has moved to the left (or at least away from the far right) and Israel has moved rightward.

[Jefferson23]

47. AIPAC is not any lobby, and they don't get a pass because they

don't influence foreign policy through out, although some that are foolish, may believe they do. AIPAC concentrates on one area, and they have been extremely successful and the measures they use as influence have had an enormous impact. Looking back to Bush 1, he spelled out very clearly, their operating procedures. It is no wonder AIPAC is so threatened by J Street, they finally have competition for the alleged
one voice that AIPAC has tried to control.

As a lobby, they stand for the continued oppression of Palestinians, I condemn their attempts at influencing policy, as I do Exxon Mobile, the health insurance industry, Lockheed Martin, and the propping up of deregulation of the markets....people suffer and they literally DIE needlessly as a result of their efforts.

[azurnoir]

27. LOL good on Code Pink

they made AIPAC quite publicly expose themselves as antipeace

[ConsAreLiars]

37. Excellent! The Yes Men have used have used this and other tactics to expose others

who commit, support, finance and defend mass killings and oppression of the less powerful by the more powerful. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Yes_Men .

Glad to see that creative way of exposing those who increase the suffering and misery of the weakest being applied by Medea and her guerrilla band of truth-to-power-tellers.

I suspect those who oppose these tactics being used to expose AIPAC also oppose them when used against those exposed by The Yes Men, because they oppose the objective, using the same arguments and because of the same (poorly hidden) allegiances.

Or maybe they approve of The Yes Men when they do a hoax press release saying Monsanto takes responsibility for the mass killings and poisonings their subsidiary committed in Bhopal. thus forcing them to say that that was not their position, and several others similar "Press Releases." In that case, it is clear that the arguments about this as a tactic are pure BS of the sort usually expected.

But who knows what sort of twisted reasoning might emerge from a psyche capable of arguing that violence against the victims of decades of violence, with thousands slaughtered and 10's of thousands maimed and poisoned, should be regarded as "just" or "unfortunate but the fault of the victims" for as long as there is any sign of resistance.

[Violet_Crumble]

39. LOL! That's a really funny and clever thing to do!

It shines a light on what AIPAC's stance is on settlements...

[oberliner]

40. Lying and misrepresenting someone's position = funny and clever?

As long as it shines a light on something that you think needs attention, lying and misrepresenting someone's position is all good?

[Violet_Crumble]

41. Sorry but I can't answer that question...

Try asking again once you start answering questions I ask you. Have a nice day now!