AIPAC - a pro-Israeli lobby group - is said to be the #2 lobby group in the US after #1, the NRA, the gun lobbyists. Bear in mind that the NRA does not seek to influence US foreign policy. AIPAC's tactics, and effect, have been the subject of criticism, no more so than by people such as Professors Mearsheimer and Walt, both respected scholars at prestigious universities.
More troubling that the mere hard-line lobbying pro-Israel lobbying of AIPAC, is the epithet it always throws out at Jews who dare speak out or criticise it or Israel. They are invariably labeled Jewish anti-semites or self-hating Jews.
It is therefore refreshing to read this moderated and cogently argued piece, by a Jew, "AIPAC is Hurting Israel, Jews, and Middle-East Peace", on The Huffington Post:
"The Jewish communities around the world have made wonderful contributions to civil and human rights. In addition, no community has a better record of standing up for and actively being involved in humane causes and opposing racism and intolerance throughout the world. That is why I believe that AIPAC is now advocating the very intolerance and violence that the Jewish communities have fought against for centuries. They have now become what most thoughtful Jews would describe as anti-Jewish bullies who even attack other Jews for having differences with them. It is time for AIPAC to understand that the only real help for Israel comes from the peace process and not fascist type tactics. AIPAC does not represent me or most of the views of the Jewish community."
By the way, look out for the Mearsheimer and Walt book, "The Israel Lobby" - released in the US on 4 September, and already the subject of attack from the usual quarters and suspects!
More troubling that the mere hard-line lobbying pro-Israel lobbying of AIPAC, is the epithet it always throws out at Jews who dare speak out or criticise it or Israel. They are invariably labeled Jewish anti-semites or self-hating Jews.
It is therefore refreshing to read this moderated and cogently argued piece, by a Jew, "AIPAC is Hurting Israel, Jews, and Middle-East Peace", on The Huffington Post:
"The Jewish communities around the world have made wonderful contributions to civil and human rights. In addition, no community has a better record of standing up for and actively being involved in humane causes and opposing racism and intolerance throughout the world. That is why I believe that AIPAC is now advocating the very intolerance and violence that the Jewish communities have fought against for centuries. They have now become what most thoughtful Jews would describe as anti-Jewish bullies who even attack other Jews for having differences with them. It is time for AIPAC to understand that the only real help for Israel comes from the peace process and not fascist type tactics. AIPAC does not represent me or most of the views of the Jewish community."
By the way, look out for the Mearsheimer and Walt book, "The Israel Lobby" - released in the US on 4 September, and already the subject of attack from the usual quarters and suspects!
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