At the AIPAC Policy Conference, the Lobby pushed two initiatives, one about US and Iran, and another about the "peace process". The letter from AIPAC, introduced by Rep. Hoyer and Eric Cantor, used terms like "our mutual desire for peace" it contained a subtle warning to Obama: Don't pressure Israel. "The proven best way forward is to work closely and privately together both on areas of agreement and especially on areas of disagreement".
President Obama has been saying that his administration is opposed to any increase in Israeli Settlements in the West Bank. Netanyahu insists that they be allowed "natural growth" of existing settlements. Where does congress stand on this dispute? Clearly on the side of AIPAC/Netanyahu, in that they signaled they want no public pressure on Israel to work for peace.
Who signed this letter? Go here to see the House members so far. Here for the US Senate.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
AIPAC-related "Think-Tank" Suggests Military attacks on Media
The Journal of International Security Affairs is the publication of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) JINSA is part of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. All of the members of the Conference sit on AIPAC's Executive Committee.JINSA is among many of the many extreme organizations that are part of that coalition. How extreme? Let's see what one of the contributers to the publication suggested for media that does not tow the military-line in any conflict.
Today, the United States and its allies will never face a lone enemy on the battlefield. There will always be a hostile third party in the fight, but one which we not only refrain from attacking but are hesitant to annoy: the media.
...It seems unthinkable now, future wars may require censorship, news blackouts and, ultimately, military attacks on the partisan media. From Wishful Thinking and Indecisive Wars
Sound just like tough talk to you? Let's remember that in the early days of the war on Iraq, the Bush administration reportedly considered targeting Al Jeezera in Qatar. Or the many journalists killed in Palestine, including journalist James Miller. Just weeks ago, Amira Hass, a prominent Israeli journalist was arrested for committing actually doing her job. This is more than talk. And it is coming from the Israel Lobby. No limits to war.
Today, the United States and its allies will never face a lone enemy on the battlefield. There will always be a hostile third party in the fight, but one which we not only refrain from attacking but are hesitant to annoy: the media.
...It seems unthinkable now, future wars may require censorship, news blackouts and, ultimately, military attacks on the partisan media. From Wishful Thinking and Indecisive Wars
Sound just like tough talk to you? Let's remember that in the early days of the war on Iraq, the Bush administration reportedly considered targeting Al Jeezera in Qatar. Or the many journalists killed in Palestine, including journalist James Miller. Just weeks ago, Amira Hass, a prominent Israeli journalist was arrested for committing actually doing her job. This is more than talk. And it is coming from the Israel Lobby. No limits to war.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
"Strange Jane" Harman has to take it all back
The Persian population in Iran is not a majority, it is a plurality. There are many different, diverse, and disagreeing populations inside Iran and an obvious strategy, which I believe is a good strategy, is to separate those populations. - Jane Harman, AIPAC Policy Conference, 2009
This statement by Jane Harman was alarming, the National Iranian American Council put out an alert, asking people to reject Harman's idea that Iran be split along ethnic lines. Jane then retracted her statement.
“I was not and am not calling for the creation of ethnic tensions or separation in Iran – nothing would be less productive,” said Harman in a statement to NIAC. “Although my comments on Iran were taken out of context, I regret any concern they might have caused.”
Taken out of context? We don't think so. But it was good to see that Jane did the right thing, after organized pressure.
AIPAC's choice of extremist speakers never ceases to amaze us.
This statement by Jane Harman was alarming, the National Iranian American Council put out an alert, asking people to reject Harman's idea that Iran be split along ethnic lines. Jane then retracted her statement.
“I was not and am not calling for the creation of ethnic tensions or separation in Iran – nothing would be less productive,” said Harman in a statement to NIAC. “Although my comments on Iran were taken out of context, I regret any concern they might have caused.”
Taken out of context? We don't think so. But it was good to see that Jane did the right thing, after organized pressure.
AIPAC's choice of extremist speakers never ceases to amaze us.
Who Will Stop AIPAC Before it is Too Late?
Medea Benjamin of Code Pink and co-founder of Global Exchange asks our question- Who will Stop AIPAC? The answer - We Will. We, the people, we the peace organizations, we, the human rights groups, we the Palestine solidarity groups, we the supporters of Israeli dissidents, We will stop this Lobby for War and Occupation.
- While I was being tackled by security guards at Washington's Convention Center during the AIPAC conference for unfurling a banner that asked "What about Gaza?," my heart was aching. I wasn't bothered so much by the burly guards who were yanking my arms behind by back and dragging me-along with 5 other CODEPINK members-out of the hall. They were doing their job.
What made my heart ache was the hatred I felt from the AIPAC staff who tore up the banner and slammed their hands across my mouth as I tried to yell out: "What about Gaza? What about the children?"
"Shut the f--- up. Shut the f--- up." one staffer yelled, red-faced and sweating as he ran beside me. "This is not the place to be saying that shit. Get the f--- out of here."
What makes my heart ache is thinking about the traumatized children I met on my recent trip to Gaza, and how their suffering is denied by the 6,000 AIPAC conventioneers who are living in a bubble-a bubble where Israel is the victim and all critics are anti-Semitic, terrorist lovers or, as in my case, self-hating Jews.
I found it fascinating that AIPAC's executive director Howard Kohr opened the conference admitting that there was now a huge, international campaign against the policies of Israel. He painted a picture of 30,000 people marching in Spain, Italian trade unionists calling for a boycott of Israeli products, the UN Human Rights Council passing 26 resolutions condemning Israel, an Israeli Apartheid Week that is building a global boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign....
More here.
- While I was being tackled by security guards at Washington's Convention Center during the AIPAC conference for unfurling a banner that asked "What about Gaza?," my heart was aching. I wasn't bothered so much by the burly guards who were yanking my arms behind by back and dragging me-along with 5 other CODEPINK members-out of the hall. They were doing their job.
What made my heart ache was the hatred I felt from the AIPAC staff who tore up the banner and slammed their hands across my mouth as I tried to yell out: "What about Gaza? What about the children?"
"Shut the f--- up. Shut the f--- up." one staffer yelled, red-faced and sweating as he ran beside me. "This is not the place to be saying that shit. Get the f--- out of here."
What makes my heart ache is thinking about the traumatized children I met on my recent trip to Gaza, and how their suffering is denied by the 6,000 AIPAC conventioneers who are living in a bubble-a bubble where Israel is the victim and all critics are anti-Semitic, terrorist lovers or, as in my case, self-hating Jews.
I found it fascinating that AIPAC's executive director Howard Kohr opened the conference admitting that there was now a huge, international campaign against the policies of Israel. He painted a picture of 30,000 people marching in Spain, Italian trade unionists calling for a boycott of Israeli products, the UN Human Rights Council passing 26 resolutions condemning Israel, an Israeli Apartheid Week that is building a global boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign....
More here.
Protest at AIPAC Policy Conference
Members of the peace group CODEPINK disrupted Israeli President Shimon Peres' speech Monday at the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference in Washington. Members of the group raised banners Want Peace? End the Occupation," What About Gaza?" and No Money for War Crimes."
Friday, May 22, 2009
The Stop AIPAC Blog.
Because there are so many things are happening so quickly, a blog is the best way to keep folks posted on the these developments. We will tell you about how AIPAC is working to assert its agenda for war and occupation, and how we and others are working to counter that agenda through protest and organized campaigns.
AIPAC and its related organizations exercise much influence in how US policy in the Middle East is shaped. The budget for AIPAC itself is over $60 million, with over 100,000 members. However, there is no reason we can't defeat those who call for more war, more human rights violations, more injustice. Peace and human rights and Palestine solidarity organizations throughout this country are changing the game in Washington. We are part of that.
Watch it happen here.
AIPAC and its related organizations exercise much influence in how US policy in the Middle East is shaped. The budget for AIPAC itself is over $60 million, with over 100,000 members. However, there is no reason we can't defeat those who call for more war, more human rights violations, more injustice. Peace and human rights and Palestine solidarity organizations throughout this country are changing the game in Washington. We are part of that.
Watch it happen here.
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