This past week a "Big Event" unfolded in Washington, D.C. where Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu addressed a Joint Session of Congress to warn of the dangers of any deal with Iran negotiated by the Obama Administration. Why choose this topic for this week's blog? Because many Right Wingers believe Netanyahu had to make this speech in order for Congress to re-evaluate what the Obama Administration is willing to negotiate away in order to "contain" Iran's nuclear ambitions. Many Left Wingers proclaimed insult by the speech, and they refused to recognize their very own hypocrisy in their methods used to delegitimize Netanyahu and the Israeli people. How can I say this? Easy. Let's walk through some of the various "conversations" that I put myself into when it comes to this event.
First and foremost, I am not a fan of a foreign dignitary coming to the United States to interfere with American foreign Policy. My position is not new on this. In fact, I wrote two blogs back in September, 2012 taking Netanyahu to task for attempting to interfere with the American presidential elections. In a blog entitled "Back Off!" I wrote the following;
"Netanyahu knows exactly what he is doing when he calls out the United States administration. He
knows the issue of Israel and Iran is a hot button topic with Republicans trying to wrest away
Obama's support in the Jewish American community. He seems to believe that if Mitt Romney is
elected, he will get an immediate "green light" to initiate an assault on Iran, while President Obama is
of the opinion that Israel would suffer considerable international damage should it act unilaterally.
Regardless of the difference between Obama and Romney as it relates to Israel and Iran, Netanyahu's
attempt to interject his objection to Obama's policy into our elections and related discussions is
completely and utterly out of bounds...My message to Bibi is simple, We've got your back, but until
November 6, "Back Off!" (See http://www.howourgovernmentworks.com/blog/until-november-6-back-off). (http://www.howourgovernmentworks.com/blog/diplomacy-anyone).
So, hopefully this establishes that I am not "cool" with Netanyahu interfering with decisions Americans must make when it comes to American elections and policy. But Left Wingers are still upset with Netanyahu because he accepted the invitation from the GOP Leadership to speak, without recognizing a trap was laid for the democrats to plunge into...and predictably, the Democrats did just that - falling headlong into the trap laid before them. You see, the GOP has been trying for several years to sever the political ties between observant Jews and the Democratic Party and by pitting Israel against the Democrats, their strategy just needed opportunities to be put into play. With the invitation of Netanyahu, that opportunity was created. Instead of dismissing his speech as meaningless and not worth the hoopla the GOP and its related Media played up, the Democrats rushed into faux outrage and made every effort to make it the central issue of the week - to either boycott the speech altogether or to delegitimize Netanyahu at the expense of their pro-Israel and observant Jewish base. And the expense is still being tallied as I write this blog.
Immediately after the speech, Left Wing talking points hit the airwaves and social media vilified Netanyahu, including incendiary words like "Warmonger", "Murderer", "Thief", along with claims Israel is an "Apartheid State", which engages in active "Genocide" and "Land Theft." Whom do the Democrats and Liberals think this affects? Supporters of the GOP? Tea Party folks? Incredibly, most Liberals/Progressives use this language but naively claim it is all about the GOP, but isn't it really about Israel and Jews?
In many of my conversations with Left Wingers this week, there seems to be an active disconnect between their beliefs and their words. Many erroneously view Netanyahu as a "demon" that the "Jews of Israel should control." Huh? Jews of Israel should "control" their duly elected Prime Minister when he speaks about actions that affect Israeli security? So those on the Left go from bitterly complaining that Netanyahu should stay out of America's political and foreign policy, but in the same breath demand Israeli's change their leadership (elections are in two weeks) or "control" him? It's okay to condemn Israel and its electorate and to demand they act, without recognizing they too are a sovereign nation? If the Left demands Israel refrain from interfering with US Policy, why should they then seem to think it acceptable to interfere with Israel's elections? I am not the only one to notice this blatant hypocrisy.
Which leads me to my main point. The Democrats got suckered by the Republicans in this entire affair. But American Jews are the ones (once again) put into the hot seat. Memes began floating all over social media demanding folks choose allegiance between America and Israel. The problem with these memes is the naiveté of the Left Wing. You see, they are blind to the fact that there is a rising tide of Anti-Semitism throughout the World and the United States. They fail to recognize that when they think they are attacking the Republicans on their stance on Israel, they are instead attacking Jews who support Israel. And by sharing these memes, they enable and embolden Anti-Semites to crawl out from under their rocks to voice anti-Israeli and Anti-Jewish rhetoric. Amazingly, even when I pointed out these realities, my Liberal/Progressive friends remained not only blind to it, they justified their position by somehow using the very same canards Anti-Semites have been using...Netanyahu is a "Warmonger" and Israel is an "Apartheid State." Is it any wonder that Anti-Semitism is on the rise when the one side of the political spectrum traditionally supporting education, free speech, rights for all women, rights for Gays, Lesbian and Transgender, now see it fit to attack the one country in the Middle East that supports the very same beliefs? Does anyone else find it odd that many on the Left believe "Jews should control their Prime Minister" when Israeli Arabs, Christians and Druze all have the freedom to vote for their Parliament? Are Liberals/Progressives so ignorant that they do not know that Muslims are represented in the Israeli Parliament and the Israeli Supreme Court? Can you say the same about Jews and Christians in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Qatar, U.A.E., Libya, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan....? Of course not, but is it just good sport to attack Israel with such rhetoric because the GOP embarrassed them?
Israel is NOT an apartheid state, but ALL of the Arab nations in the world ARE. Do my Liberal/Progressive friends know that as a visitor to Israel with their entry stamp in my passport, I am unable (even as an American) to travel to any Arab nation? I can do so only with a "clean" passport? Do they know that if there is an entry stamp from Israel I am banned from entering any Arab nation? Are my Liberal/Progressive friends aware that Gays, Lesbians and Transgenders are subject to beheading in all Arab nations just for being alive? Are they aware that women are so equal to men in Israel that they too serve in military combat divisions? Are they aware that Jews are NOT allowed to travel into areas controlled by the Palestinian Authorities? Are they aware that thousands of Gazans enter Israel daily with work permits, but no Israeli citizen (unless providing aid or security) is allowed to enter Gaza, ever? Are they aware that in Jerusalem, Jews are forbidden to go into Arab neighborhoods (or risk their lives), but Arabs travel freely within Jerusalem? But more importantly, my Liberal/Progressive friends fail to recognize that the expansions of West Bank "settlements" that cause the Left so much heartburn are actually within areas already designated Israeli and are part of agreed zones of future land swaps should a two-state solution be agreed upon? Theft of land? If there has been a "theft of land" it has come at the hands of the Arabs. Look at Hebron, an area purchased by Jewish Organizations in the 19th Century, but cordoned off by violent Arabs. Jews risk their lives to travel to Hebron, the burial site of Abraham and Isaac, Jacob and Leah (my wife and I traveled their on an armored bus...which should say it all). To add insult to injury, if those Jewish ancestors are not considered unimportant to Liberals/Progressives because their existence is "biblical", so much for their belief that all should be free to practice any religion of their choosing.
The bottom line for me is obvious. Israel has never asked the United States to fight any of its wars, ever! Israel, however, needs America's support in order to defend itself. Iran, while serving as the Puppet Master over Syria, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Muslim Brotherhood should not be rewarded for its support of murder and terror worldwide with a "deal" that leaves them emboldened as THE power broker of the region. But if this happens, then clearly the Left will witness continued criticism of Israel and the ultimate expansion of Anti-Semitism, (and G-d forbid, Israel's destruction and a real genocide of Jews). When college campuses move further and further to the Left by demanding the isolation of Jewish students and those that are pro-Israel, how do they think this will play out when these young and impressionable students grow up to be our future leaders with inbred angst and hatred of Israel and Jews? Will those on the Left today eventually sit back and wonder what roles they played in enabling the loss of Jewish support for the Democratic Party and potentially Jewish life in America? Just look at what is happening in Europe. To think this can never happen in America is also simply naive.
If you think I am pushing fear, you have no idea. For centuries, Jews have been subject to unreasonable suspicions. Today one can still read and hear folks say "Jews own all of the banks. Jews and AIPAC own Congress. Jews own the World Bank. Jews drink the blood of Christian children during Passover. Jews covet money and blood. Jews are sneaky and cannot be trusted." Although none of these are true and most Liberals/Progressives know this, how can they be so naive to think their labels when applied to Israel such as "Warmongers", "Apartheid", "Land Thieves," "Liars", do not enable Anti-Semites to clamor against all Jews everywhere.
Liberals/Progressives are quick to criticize Right Wing Media for sensationalizing issues and how"gullible" Right Wing viewers are for falling for the rhetoric of the Right, but the Left is guilty of the same, being unable to recognize the damage their very own rhetoric may create when they slam Israel for purely party loyalty purposes...which makes them just as guilty of hypocrisy. As President John F. Kennedy once wrote; "Israel was not created in order to disappear - Israel will endure and flourish. It is the child of hope and the home of the brave. It can neither be broken by adversity nor demoralized by success. It carries the shield of democracy and it honors the sword of freedom." That is neither an exclusive value of the Left or the Right. Until the Left understands they have been played by the Right in this matter, they may be blamed for the results of their faux outrage at Israel. Until then, Americans supporting Israel should be on high alert for the unintended consequences from Left-Wing efforts to attack Israel and innocently or not, Jews. Have a great week.
First and foremost, I am not a fan of a foreign dignitary coming to the United States to interfere with American foreign Policy. My position is not new on this. In fact, I wrote two blogs back in September, 2012 taking Netanyahu to task for attempting to interfere with the American presidential elections. In a blog entitled "Back Off!" I wrote the following;
"Netanyahu knows exactly what he is doing when he calls out the United States administration. He
knows the issue of Israel and Iran is a hot button topic with Republicans trying to wrest away
Obama's support in the Jewish American community. He seems to believe that if Mitt Romney is
elected, he will get an immediate "green light" to initiate an assault on Iran, while President Obama is
of the opinion that Israel would suffer considerable international damage should it act unilaterally.
Regardless of the difference between Obama and Romney as it relates to Israel and Iran, Netanyahu's
attempt to interject his objection to Obama's policy into our elections and related discussions is
completely and utterly out of bounds...My message to Bibi is simple, We've got your back, but until
November 6, "Back Off!" (See http://www.howourgovernmentworks.com/blog/until-november-6-back-off). (http://www.howourgovernmentworks.com/blog/diplomacy-anyone).
So, hopefully this establishes that I am not "cool" with Netanyahu interfering with decisions Americans must make when it comes to American elections and policy. But Left Wingers are still upset with Netanyahu because he accepted the invitation from the GOP Leadership to speak, without recognizing a trap was laid for the democrats to plunge into...and predictably, the Democrats did just that - falling headlong into the trap laid before them. You see, the GOP has been trying for several years to sever the political ties between observant Jews and the Democratic Party and by pitting Israel against the Democrats, their strategy just needed opportunities to be put into play. With the invitation of Netanyahu, that opportunity was created. Instead of dismissing his speech as meaningless and not worth the hoopla the GOP and its related Media played up, the Democrats rushed into faux outrage and made every effort to make it the central issue of the week - to either boycott the speech altogether or to delegitimize Netanyahu at the expense of their pro-Israel and observant Jewish base. And the expense is still being tallied as I write this blog.
Immediately after the speech, Left Wing talking points hit the airwaves and social media vilified Netanyahu, including incendiary words like "Warmonger", "Murderer", "Thief", along with claims Israel is an "Apartheid State", which engages in active "Genocide" and "Land Theft." Whom do the Democrats and Liberals think this affects? Supporters of the GOP? Tea Party folks? Incredibly, most Liberals/Progressives use this language but naively claim it is all about the GOP, but isn't it really about Israel and Jews?
In many of my conversations with Left Wingers this week, there seems to be an active disconnect between their beliefs and their words. Many erroneously view Netanyahu as a "demon" that the "Jews of Israel should control." Huh? Jews of Israel should "control" their duly elected Prime Minister when he speaks about actions that affect Israeli security? So those on the Left go from bitterly complaining that Netanyahu should stay out of America's political and foreign policy, but in the same breath demand Israeli's change their leadership (elections are in two weeks) or "control" him? It's okay to condemn Israel and its electorate and to demand they act, without recognizing they too are a sovereign nation? If the Left demands Israel refrain from interfering with US Policy, why should they then seem to think it acceptable to interfere with Israel's elections? I am not the only one to notice this blatant hypocrisy.
Which leads me to my main point. The Democrats got suckered by the Republicans in this entire affair. But American Jews are the ones (once again) put into the hot seat. Memes began floating all over social media demanding folks choose allegiance between America and Israel. The problem with these memes is the naiveté of the Left Wing. You see, they are blind to the fact that there is a rising tide of Anti-Semitism throughout the World and the United States. They fail to recognize that when they think they are attacking the Republicans on their stance on Israel, they are instead attacking Jews who support Israel. And by sharing these memes, they enable and embolden Anti-Semites to crawl out from under their rocks to voice anti-Israeli and Anti-Jewish rhetoric. Amazingly, even when I pointed out these realities, my Liberal/Progressive friends remained not only blind to it, they justified their position by somehow using the very same canards Anti-Semites have been using...Netanyahu is a "Warmonger" and Israel is an "Apartheid State." Is it any wonder that Anti-Semitism is on the rise when the one side of the political spectrum traditionally supporting education, free speech, rights for all women, rights for Gays, Lesbian and Transgender, now see it fit to attack the one country in the Middle East that supports the very same beliefs? Does anyone else find it odd that many on the Left believe "Jews should control their Prime Minister" when Israeli Arabs, Christians and Druze all have the freedom to vote for their Parliament? Are Liberals/Progressives so ignorant that they do not know that Muslims are represented in the Israeli Parliament and the Israeli Supreme Court? Can you say the same about Jews and Christians in Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Qatar, U.A.E., Libya, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan....? Of course not, but is it just good sport to attack Israel with such rhetoric because the GOP embarrassed them?
Israel is NOT an apartheid state, but ALL of the Arab nations in the world ARE. Do my Liberal/Progressive friends know that as a visitor to Israel with their entry stamp in my passport, I am unable (even as an American) to travel to any Arab nation? I can do so only with a "clean" passport? Do they know that if there is an entry stamp from Israel I am banned from entering any Arab nation? Are my Liberal/Progressive friends aware that Gays, Lesbians and Transgenders are subject to beheading in all Arab nations just for being alive? Are they aware that women are so equal to men in Israel that they too serve in military combat divisions? Are they aware that Jews are NOT allowed to travel into areas controlled by the Palestinian Authorities? Are they aware that thousands of Gazans enter Israel daily with work permits, but no Israeli citizen (unless providing aid or security) is allowed to enter Gaza, ever? Are they aware that in Jerusalem, Jews are forbidden to go into Arab neighborhoods (or risk their lives), but Arabs travel freely within Jerusalem? But more importantly, my Liberal/Progressive friends fail to recognize that the expansions of West Bank "settlements" that cause the Left so much heartburn are actually within areas already designated Israeli and are part of agreed zones of future land swaps should a two-state solution be agreed upon? Theft of land? If there has been a "theft of land" it has come at the hands of the Arabs. Look at Hebron, an area purchased by Jewish Organizations in the 19th Century, but cordoned off by violent Arabs. Jews risk their lives to travel to Hebron, the burial site of Abraham and Isaac, Jacob and Leah (my wife and I traveled their on an armored bus...which should say it all). To add insult to injury, if those Jewish ancestors are not considered unimportant to Liberals/Progressives because their existence is "biblical", so much for their belief that all should be free to practice any religion of their choosing.
The bottom line for me is obvious. Israel has never asked the United States to fight any of its wars, ever! Israel, however, needs America's support in order to defend itself. Iran, while serving as the Puppet Master over Syria, Hamas, Hezbollah and the Muslim Brotherhood should not be rewarded for its support of murder and terror worldwide with a "deal" that leaves them emboldened as THE power broker of the region. But if this happens, then clearly the Left will witness continued criticism of Israel and the ultimate expansion of Anti-Semitism, (and G-d forbid, Israel's destruction and a real genocide of Jews). When college campuses move further and further to the Left by demanding the isolation of Jewish students and those that are pro-Israel, how do they think this will play out when these young and impressionable students grow up to be our future leaders with inbred angst and hatred of Israel and Jews? Will those on the Left today eventually sit back and wonder what roles they played in enabling the loss of Jewish support for the Democratic Party and potentially Jewish life in America? Just look at what is happening in Europe. To think this can never happen in America is also simply naive.
If you think I am pushing fear, you have no idea. For centuries, Jews have been subject to unreasonable suspicions. Today one can still read and hear folks say "Jews own all of the banks. Jews and AIPAC own Congress. Jews own the World Bank. Jews drink the blood of Christian children during Passover. Jews covet money and blood. Jews are sneaky and cannot be trusted." Although none of these are true and most Liberals/Progressives know this, how can they be so naive to think their labels when applied to Israel such as "Warmongers", "Apartheid", "Land Thieves," "Liars", do not enable Anti-Semites to clamor against all Jews everywhere.
Liberals/Progressives are quick to criticize Right Wing Media for sensationalizing issues and how"gullible" Right Wing viewers are for falling for the rhetoric of the Right, but the Left is guilty of the same, being unable to recognize the damage their very own rhetoric may create when they slam Israel for purely party loyalty purposes...which makes them just as guilty of hypocrisy. As President John F. Kennedy once wrote; "Israel was not created in order to disappear - Israel will endure and flourish. It is the child of hope and the home of the brave. It can neither be broken by adversity nor demoralized by success. It carries the shield of democracy and it honors the sword of freedom." That is neither an exclusive value of the Left or the Right. Until the Left understands they have been played by the Right in this matter, they may be blamed for the results of their faux outrage at Israel. Until then, Americans supporting Israel should be on high alert for the unintended consequences from Left-Wing efforts to attack Israel and innocently or not, Jews. Have a great week.
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