Major Jewish Groups Facing Backlash Over Pledge to Keep Israel Out of Campaign Debate
- Posted on October 25, 2011 at 8:38pm by
Sharona Schwartz
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A pledge by two prominent Jewish organizations to keep the subject of Israel out of the election debate is facing intense criticism from conservative pro-Israel Jewish groups.
On Monday, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the American Jewish Committee issued a joint statement declaring that support for Israel is bipartisan and that Israel shouldn’t be used as a “wedge issue” in election campaigns. It called on other Jewish groups to sign their “National Pledge for Unity on Israel:”
The Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee have joined together in an effort to encourage other national organizations, elected officials, religious leaders, community groups and individuals to rally around bipartisan support for Israel while preventing the Jewish State from becoming a wedge issue in the upcoming campaign season.
ADL's Abraham Foxman
Conservative Jewish groups and columnists say this as an effort to stifle debate during the 2012 election cycle over what they see as President Barack Obama’s less-than-stellar record on Israel. They believe the “unity pledge” will restrain Republicans who have a chance to make inroads with Jewish voters — who have historically voted Democrat — and are particularly angry at this quote from ADL national director Abraham Foxman:
“We want the discourse on U.S. support for Israel to avoid the sometimes polarizing debates and political attacks that have emerged in recent weeks, as candidates have challenged their opponents’ pro-Israel bone fides or questioned the current administration’s foreign policy approach vis-a-vis Israel. The last thing America and Israel need right now is the distractions of having Israel bandied about as a tool for waging political attacks.”
The Emergency Committee for Israel is outraged at what it believes is an effort to silence criticism of President Obama and says the “pledge” will prompt it to redouble its efforts. On its home page, it posted this response from its chairman William Kristol:
William Kristol
You must be kidding.
Indeed, this attempt to silence those of us who have “questioned the current administration’s foreign policy approach vis-a-vis Israel” will re-energize us. Nor, incidentally, should those who support the administration’s approach to Israel be bashful about making their case.
The Republican Jewish Coalition says it too rejects the pledge:
Allowing the American people to see where candidates stand, pro and con on critical issues, is the hallmark of our free and democratic political system.
Pres. Obama’s perceived lukewarm stance on Israel became a major issue among Jewish voters in last month’s election of Republican Bob Turner in the heavily Democratic district of Queens, NY that had been represented by Rep. Anthony Weiner before his resignation. The election was viewed as a referendum on the administration’s economic and Israel policies.
Commentary Magazine’s Jonathan S. Tobin says the ADL’s pledge “doesn’t pass the political smell test:”
… to impose, as this pledge seems to hint, a gag rule on all discussion of Israel in a political context simply allows those politicians, be they Republican or Democrat, impunity for any destructive stands or behavior.
Like other Americans, Jews cast their ballots based on a wide variety of issues. On Israel, some of the points Republicans would raise with Jewish voters will likely include: that the President’s first telephone call after being inaugurated reportedly went to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas (only later did he call Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert); his first Middle East trip was to Saudi Arabia and Egypt the year he took office; and he has yet to visit Israel as president.
Pres. Obama has stated Israel should withdraw to 1967 borders, which would leave the country nine miles wide at its narrowest point and vulnerable to rocket attack on its strategic assets, including Ben-Gurion International Airport. It would also mean Israel giving up East Jerusalem, which includes the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism.
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affinnity
Posted on October 28, 2011 at 12:39pmIf we disagree or comment about Jews it is called Antisemitism. In my opinion they’re suicidal by nature and I am tired of worrying about them and hearing about their problems. We have our own problems.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antisemitism
Report Post »Dave In Arizona
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 9:54pmBacklash!? Those two groups deserve a good swift kick (or three or four) in the tuckus!!
Report Post »Dave In Arizona
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 9:46pmThe good ole head in the sand trick. Isn’t that what the German Jews did when Hitler and his goons took over? See no evil, hear no evil, etc.
Report Post »Spider64
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 6:37pmAnti-Defamation League the same as NAACP ,and NOW. In the 70′s they sued you if put up a sign on your on property that said Jesus Is Lord. Oh they won Mr Lotz still didn’t take it down. God bless the Jewish people.
Report Post »pap pap
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 1:59pmTypical Libs. Downplay the facts when they don’t go their way. It’s just like when the Rebups have control of something then and only then is bipartisanship considered important. They can all eat sh&t and die.
Report Post »Neils60
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 11:58amNeither the ADL or the AJC hold much importance in the Jewish community, although they think that they’re relevant organizations. They’re not.
Report Post »And, to the Techengineer11, never, ever has Israel asked for American blood to be spilled on its behalf. Weaponry to counter their enemy’s weaponry, yes. America’s brave soldiers taking on a fight, anywhere, on its behalf, never.
panick
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 11:53amIt’s about time the Diaspora figured out that God helps those who help themselves ! Us bigotted white WASPS have been getting a bit tired of holding water for Israel mostly by ourselves and wondering why the local Jews kiss up to the IslamoNazi propaganda train. Useful idiots in 1918, useful idiots in 1934. Useful idiots in 2012 ????? Maybe not !
Report Post »semihardrock
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 11:32amThis is not the first time in history the Jewish people were divided. Some actually STAYED in Egypt the first time also!
PS This time there IS NO other land to escape too (Exodus) AND, the world will be controlled by ONE GOVERNMENT CONTROL AGENCY, eventually killing G-d once and for all in the hearts and minds of the people who dwell on planet Earth, MY EARTH!
signed “The Pharoah”
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 10:45amThe Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the American Jewish Committee decision to ask to stifle candidates debate concerning Isreal is the kind of behavior seen the the Mischlinge. The Michlinge were Jews or part-Jew who fought for the Nazis.
The request to ignore the most dangerous spot on the globe is totally inappropriate. Whether or not a person supports or doesn’t support Isreal, the debate will allow us to learn how a candidate will lead the US.
Report Post »EwwyLee
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 10:20amJewish people survived for the last 2000 years in different lands under all kinds of dictators exactly because and only when they chose not to take a stand. “Lets not talk too much about Israel”, “Lets go with the flow even if it will bite us in the a** eventually“ ”Lets make through another day, month year … those in power will change, maybe” and other reasons along these lines.
You tend to forget that Jews are eternal guests – not by their choice, but by their hosts.
As such, they prefer to behave like guests
If they feel too much at home, they will be blamed, if they try to stay away from politics, they will be blamed…
You may not like it, just as I do not, but this cowardly behavior ensured the survival of the Jewish people as a whole ( minus a few genocides along the way)
Of course there were some brave ones, who tried to stand for the truth before Israel was reborn for the third time.
Report Post »All were slaughtered, or brought so low, they learned their lesson to be disobedient in privacy of their home only.
Maybe modern Jews in diaspora think they are protecting Israel or themselves by disassociating from Jewish state. Only history will show if they were right…
I , as an Israeli, surely feel betrayed
EqualJustice
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 10:19amThey risk their own demise…
Report Post »billwhit1357
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 6:08amI back Israel all the way, but apparently, these organization are blind to the fact that Obama hates them and has shown it in the past. He was raised and schooled in Islamic lands, during his formable years, where they teach no American Values like Honor, Integrity, Dignity, Honesty, but they do teach to hate Israel. He not only hates Israel, he also hates America because we don’t adore him like his Narcisist personality calls for. Such a sickening NonLeader!
Report Post »Vechorik
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 7:00amAre Evangelical Christians confused about Glenn Beck’s view of Israel?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8rqwg00xWY
Sarah Palin supporting Dr. Paul’s foreign policy and Dr. Paul was asked if Palin is a potential running mate!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpKc5CHYRPg
How Israel benefits if all foreign aid is cut:
Report Post »http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DqC2N197Js
Miguelito
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 7:53amDeny Me before man and I will deny you before the Father. Enough said!!!!
Report Post »techengineer11
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 9:23amWell Jews always get what they demand.. Can’t blame them for not wanting the average American to understand the degree to which our treasure and blood is being spilled for Jewish interests in the Middle East though.. If I were Jewish I sure wouldn‘t want all of the Bubba’s to know the facts out there.. lol
Regardless it‘s amazing that the Jewish groups have some much power in America isn’t it? Does anyone else resent this?
Report Post »welloddyfriggindah
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 5:55amIt’s tragic to see the willingness of one group of Americans abandoning our principles to silence another. That is the blindness that if overlooked would destroy us from the inside out.
Report Post »mtorres20
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 1:23amI really believe most Jews are just plain blind because of their liberal dogma. Obama truly hates them and if they want to vote for the man who will destroy Israel then only God himself can save them.
Report Post »Jenny Lind
Posted on October 26, 2011 at 1:50amOh,I don’t know, this new news makes me think some are waking up. If so, good for them-about time.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 11:54pmIf you stick your head in the sand… the Evil cannot find you! How did that work for you in Germany?
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 11:53pmwe would strongly caution all Jews to stay as far away from and to keep that vile anti-semite obama as far away from Jews and Israel as possible, because everything he does is toxic to Israel and Jews, he has crippled America so much it has enabled the rise of his beloved islam across the globe. . he is doing nothing but resurrecting his true idol, Hitler.
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on October 25, 2011 at 11:50pmI find it unbelievable that some Jewish people are actually OK with Obama’s support of the anti-Jewish OWS movement. It’s becoming a big deal, and growing every day. Still Obama and the mainstream media support it.
I stand with Israel, and those Jews who also support their ancestral homeland. What else can we do when the forces of evil are on the march?
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