How Israel Trip Came Back to Haunt an Aide

NY Sun ^ | 6 jun 06 | Josh Gerstein

[white trash redneck]

A veteran State Department employee contends that a month-long trip he took to Israel more than two decades ago has contributed to the suspension of his security clearance, stalling and perhaps ending his career in the foreign service.

[snip]

Mr. Hirsch said the story about him being a paratrooper deserved to be checked out, but could have been quickly resolved. The seemingly open-ended inquiry into his life and an agent's questions about whether the Maryland native could automatically become an Israeli citizen because he is a Jew have led the diplomat to conclude that he is the victim of religious bias.

"When you reach the point where a reasonable man would say this does not make sense, you ask whether they are still pursuing it because, 'It's Israel and he's Jewish,'" Mr.Hirsch said. "I personally believe it's bigotry."

The State Department did not respond to two calls seeking comment for this article.[snip]

[white trash redneck]

Although we are only given Mr. Hirsch's side of the story here, this does appear to be an example of over-zealous scrutiny of Jews with security clearances as a result of the AIPAC case, and reinforces the State Department's reputation as being institutionally hostile to Jews.

It seems to me that applying these investigative resources to certain "broad strata of society" would be a much wiser use.

[george wythe]

There are facts missing on this article. I would like to see the other side of the story.

[abercrombie_guy_38]

Go read a few books on the Mossad. If you don't know what it is, research it first. We have more than the right to scrutinize. The Israelis have done some disgusting things to their supposed #1 ally, the one that gives a modern country $3 billion a year in aid.

[SJackson]

There've been a couple high profile cases I can think of like this where issues like trips to Israel, bar-mitzvahs, and Jewish summer camps have become an issue. , one a defence contractor, the other a CIA attorney. They've ended with reinstatement, apologies, and the "mandatory" sensitivity training. The FBI agent supervising the 4 year long AIPAC "investigation" was bumped to the FBI from the CIA after a similar investigation of an attorney ended with job reinstatement (he said screw the govt and went private, can't blame him) and a lawsuit.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel.

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[white trash redneck]

Go read a few books on the Mossad. If you don't know what it is, research it first.

Gee, I've never heard of the Mossad. Maybe you can explain to me what it is, but write it really slow so I can understand it. Or just lose the condescending tone.

We have more than the right to scrutinize.

Yes, we do have the right to scrutinize. On the other hand, the justification for the additional scrutiny at this time seems pretty thin, and the 3 1/2 years it has taken seems excessive, particularly for a former CIA and current State Department employee who has already been screened, since they are not starting from scratch.

The Israelis have done some disgusting things to their supposed #1 ally, the one that gives a modern country $3 billion a year in aid.

So is it your position that this justifies denying security clearances to Jewish personnel in the State Department?

[Sabramerican]

The only Government employee involved in the AIPAC case was a Pentagon analyst, an Israel supporting Catholic.

To be really certain that there is nothing but Arabist influence in State, maybe Saudi Arabia should have the last word on who is Kosher.

[white trash redneck]

There are facts missing on this article. I would like to see the other side of the story.

Agreed, but this: " The State Department did not respond to two calls seeking comment for this article" makes it keeps the other side of the story under wraps. I guess the "no comment" response is pretty typical in all types of employment beefs, particularly when it might be heading to court.

[From many - one.]

Unlike, of course, the Saudis.

[RicocheT]

When you do a security questionaire, you are asked to list every trip abroad, where and when. He may have forgot a trip 20 years ago, but being there a month should have stuck in his memory. A security clearance is a procto exam done using sandpaper.

[Convert from ECUSA]

I hope he sues the living hell out of the Defartment of State and wins big. State is overloaded with Arabist elitists that need to be taken down a few pegs.

[SJackson]

When you do a security questionaire, you are asked to list every trip abroad, where and when. He may have forgot a trip 20 years ago, but being there a month should have stuck in his memory. A security clearance is a procto exam done using sandpaper.

There's no indication he forgot to list the trip. Per the article, he was a CIA employee at the time, and got CIA clearance before going, which would make me suspect it was disclosed. It was certainly part of his security record from CIA.

[SJackson]

The only Government employee involved in the AIPAC case was a Pentagon analyst, an Israel supporting Catholic.

Actually I think he was a pro-Kurdish Catholic.

[SJackson]

I hope he sues the living hell out of the Defartment of State and wins big. State is overloaded with Arabist elitists that need to be taken down a few pegs.

The courts have ruled in similar cases that the government is only liable for unpaid compensation and restoration of job status, but not damages which in some cases, presumably not here, where individuals are out of work for a period of time can be substantial.

[Sabramerican]

Also an anti Iranian Catholic. Someone who recognized the danger from Iran while his superiors were sleeping.

Pro Israel, Pro Kurdish, Anti Iranian. Sounds like a great man who should be Sec of State, or at least Bolton's deputy when Boston is Sec of State.

In a few minutes I'll wake up.

[SJackson]

A few links if you’re interested. You can do searches for Shawn Pine, Adam Ciralsky or David Tenenbaum.

As you’ll note speaking Hebrew, attending Synagogue, visiting Israel (for Jews, Christians OK so far), attending a Jewish camp are major no-nos.

Interestingly David Szady who was responsible for the Ciralsky fiasco, was promoted and is responsible for the 4 year AIPAC investigation.

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=27355

http://www.jlaw.com/PressReleases/00-09-25.html

http://www.npr.org/about/press/990409.cia.html

http://www.newsdesk.org/archives/000679.php

http://www.salon.com/news/1998/06/10news.html

http://www.npr.org/about/press/990409.cia.html

http://www.nysun.com/article/32862

http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=3&x_outlet=13&x_article=749

http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=11196

http://wexler.house.gov/news.php?ID=84

[Convert from ECUSA]

State, Defense, the CIA, etc. might just as well have signs posted saying: "No orthodox, Hebrew-speaking, Israel-visiting Jews need apply." Jeeze louise! Well, most of the "elites" in those agencies and many others have been anti-Semitic for years. Back in the forties Defense and State were splitting their drawers trying to convince Truman not to recognize Israel. Truman, being a rare breed (a politican with some spine and balls), did the right thing and recognized Israel.

[Seeing More Clearly Now]

Israel has provided more for U.S. health and security than Abercrombie_guy_38 is willing to admit.

[abercrombie_guy_38]

Just like it helped Muslim terrorists kill American soldiers in Beirut by not telling us because, "They [Americans] wanted to stick their nose into this Lebanon thing, let them pay the price." - Victor Ostrovsky, Mossad officer

By stealing nuclear secrets from us so it could have some missiles?

Stealing and then using NSA-designed software (Promis) against us?

Israel has provided some security and friendship to the U.S. but nothing that comes close to $3 billion a year in aid or the baggage that comes with the relationship. You have to admit the relationship between the U.S. and Israel is extremely lopsided. Has been forever and will be into the foreseeable future.