More 'Right' on Israel Than Bush

[Resistance]

By Stephen Zunes, AlterNet

The moment images of Saddam Hussein's capture flashed across TV screens around the world, John Kerry and Joseph Lieberman jumped on the opportunity to lash out at Howard Dean for not supporting the war on Iraq, even as they congratulated the Bush White House for a job well done.

- when it comes to the Israel/Palestinian issue, the Democratic establishment is virtually indistinguishable from the Bush administration.

The less-than-moderate position was on blatant display back in September when Dean was attacked by two of his principal rivals as well as the House Democratic leadership for calling on the United States to take a more "even-handed role" as the chief mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On Sept. 3, Dean declared that the United States should work to "bring the sides together" and "not point fingers" at who is to blame.

He was immediately attacked during a televised debate on Sept. 9 by Joe Lieberman, who described his comments as a move to "compromise our support for Israel," arguing that a more balanced position in the peace process was tantamount to "breaking commitments to longtime allies."

Pelosi and other Democratic leaders are essentially pushing the age-old fallacy: support for Ariel Sharon equals support for the state of Israel.

[bluesoul]

1. That's just

so sad...

[La_Serpiente]

2. Well

His wife, Judith Steinberg Dean, is Jewish and has close connections with mainstream Zionist circles. Their children have been raised Jewish.

Well, I don't know if that is true. From what I have heard, she is not really inolved or active in the whole Israeli/Palestinian debate. And I don't know how his kids being raised Jewish is an issue :shrug: Where does this writer get his facts? It seems like he is pulling them out of his a$$.

However, the Dean - AIPAC connection is there - no doubt about it.

[mikehiggins]

3. Who or what are you quoting?

Nothing was said about Dr. Steinberg in this thread, which is only just starting up, apparently.

Connections between Dean and AIPAC? Can anyone name a major political figure in this nation who does not have some connection to AIPAC? No one in political life in the US is going to turn his or her back on Israel in this lifetime (and probably the next).

Trotting out someone's Jewish wife or children is not a winning tactic to use in criticising a candidate.

Hey, my guy's dad was Jewish. I doubt that influences Clark's view of the Israeli/Palestinian question.

Dean's wife and kids should be left out of the conversation entirely.

[La_Serpiente]

4. what?

I wrote:

Well, I don't know if that is true. From what I have heard, she is not really inolved or active in the whole Israeli/Palestinian debate. And I don't know how his kids being raised Jewish is an issue Where does this writer get his facts? It seems like he is pulling them out of his a$$.

I was making a reference to the op-ed piece. If you read it, it mentions his children and wife.

And as you may have noticed from my earlier post, I stated that his children being raised Jewish is a non-issue and is not relavent to Dean's candidacy. I hope you don't think I am criticizing a candidate because of his kids because I am not.

And as for the AIPAC thing, I do have a problem with. That is just something I disagree with some people on. I would prefer it if some candidates found APN's message more appealing.

[comradebillyboy]

5. israel is the one issue that the dems and pukes agree on

because arab americans have no political clout and pro israel groups do.

[bluesoul]

6. very

true...

[number6]

7. very very

true... Arabs need to hire their own spin doctor army ....
they're way behind corporations, repooplicans, and Israel
.. special interests...

[Darranar]

8. Not really...

I don't think that the pro-Israel lobby has much to do with it.

It has a lot more to do with the relationship of the military-industrial complex to Israel.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

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