Posted on 06/28/2006 6:45:43 AM PDT by Ancesthntr
The Pentagon has banned security clearance to Americans with relatives in Israel. Government sources and attorneys said the Pentagon has sought and succeeded in removing security clearance from dozens of Americans, mostly Jews, who either lived, worked or have relatives in Israel. Official documents report that American Jews were asked by Pentagon examiners whether they would join a U.S. attack on Israel if the Jewish state was threatened.
[Note - this is all that is available to non-subscribers to Insight.]
Also, is the US planning to attack Israel - or is this merely a means of questioning the loyalty of Jews in the armed forces, and Jews in general? Did we ask Eisenhower if he would fight against the Germans? Do we ask people of English extraction if they'd join in an invasion of England? Do we ask Arabs or Moslems if they'll join in an invasion of their former homeland?
This seems rather peculiar but there are people in the Pentagon that clearly need retiring.
I'd imagine this is SOP when evaluating anyone with ties to a foreign power and not just limited to Jews.
It's not Israel. Security clearances, especially high-security clearances are often not given when the subject has relatives living in countries outside of the US.
Similarly, a long period of living in another country can cause denial of a security clearance.
One of the problems is the risk of a foreign relative being held hostage as a means of accessing information. Also, during security clearance investigations, lots of people are interviewed. Tough to interview folks in another country.
It's not limited to Israel, quite frankly.
Unless we've discovered something that the public isn't aware of yet.
I'll wait and see what it's about instead of assuming it's a retarded baseless change.
I suspect this is more in relation to the passing of military secrets to Israel than it is about loyalty if the US attacked Israel which is beyond remote.
FBI: Jews need not apply for Arabic linguist jobs - Thread 1
FBI: Jews need not apply for Arabic linguist jobs - Thread 2
I thought this was an article from the 1940s or before. Are we demanding the same loyalty from the Mexicans crossing our border?
"Security clearances, especially high-security clearances are often not given when the subject has relatives living in countries outside of the US."
Where did you find this information?
For people lacking your intimate knowledge of governmental affairs, a more detailed explanation might be necessary. Insight is not your average Leftie rag, so I don't have an ingrained bias against its stories. I want the facts, then I'll make judgements.
This is a standard question asked of ex-nationals of a particular country when obtaining a TS security clearance. Insight may be guilty of a 'drive by shooting' here.
Let's hope that this is the case - that it is SOP and that Insight was guilty of not telling the whole truth.
I spent 20 years in the DOD, with high levels of security clearance almost the entire time. In all of my background checks, I was never asked about religion or relatives in other countries. (I have some) If in fact this is happening, it is a radical departure from past procedure.
"Where did you find this information?
"
Personal experience. I had a very high clearance at one time.
You have to list on your security clearance forms all relatives who not US citizens and all relatives by marriage who not US citizens. Also if you do business overseas or hold a foreign passport.
Once you obtain your clearance, you are now required to fill out a foreign contact report if have anything to do with a foreign national.
The real world tends to be a bit confusing to many.
This article is about the dreaded persecution of poor Jews. The next may be about the poor hypenated Americans.
The world is full of victims.
When I lived in DC, I filled out at least one foreign contact report a week from cabbies, waiters, etc.
I know someone whose father's security clearance got extra scrutiny because his last name was spelled the same as a leading figure in the American Communist Party...in effect, he had to prove that they were not related. (In fact, the names originated in different countries but just happened to be spelled alike.)
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