The US/Israel special relationships under attack

ISRAPUNDIT ^ | March 23/09 | Ted Belman

[tedbel]

Predictably, John Measheimer comes out in support of Chas Freeman in his article The Lobby Falters..

According to him "the Israel lobby launched a smear campaign against Freeman" and he suggested the attack was unfounded. He faults Obama with these words "But Barack Obama’s pandering to the Israel lobby during the campaign and his silence during the Gaza War show that this is one opponent he is not willing to challenge."

The object of his anger once again is the Israel Lobby (AIPAC) which he charges, has "since gone to great lengths to deny its role in Freeman’s resignation." That may well be the case as AIPAC wanted this issue to be about American interests and not about Israel's. Measheimer wanted otherwise.

He identifies what, in his opinion, was at stake.

Why does the lobby care so much about one appointment to an important, but not top leadership position? Here’s one reason: Freeman would have been responsible for the production of National Intelligence Estimates. Israel and its American supporters were outraged when the National Intelligence Council concluded in November 2007 that Iran was not building nuclear weapons, and they have worked assiduously to undermine that report ever since. The lobby wants to make sure that the next estimate of Iran’s nuclear capabilities reaches the opposite conclusion, and that would have been much less likely to happen with Freeman in charge. Better to have someone vetted by AIPAC running the show.

An even more important reason for the lobby to drive Freeman out of his job is the weakness of the case for America’s present policy towards Israel, which makes it imperative to silence or marginalise anyone who criticises the special relationship. [..]

[Professor_Leonide]

And what a “special” relationship it truly is...

[SJackson]

Middle East and terrorism, occasional political and Jewish issues Ping List. High Volume

If you'd like to be on or off, please FR mail me.

..................

Yes, as Professor Measheimer would tell us, what we really need are Saudi and Chinese employees at the highest level of government.

[Sender]

The “special relationship” was not authored by man, and it will not be severed by man.

[Professor_Leonide]

Is the modern state of israel the embodiment of Abraham? Or was the edict to bless Abraham a one time deal applicable only to Abraham?

There are many states in the world today with laws more in line with the Torah than the modern state of Israel.

[montag813]

in his article 'The Lobby Falters'

Uh, how exactly did the lobby "falter"? The Saudi-funded Jew-hater Freeman went down, so I would describe it as "lobby triumphs".

[Sender]

I don’t have a problem with the modern state of Israel, except when they foolishly trade land for “peace”. I don’t think there was any “one-time” blessing of Abraham either. What bothers you about the modern state of Israel?

[Professor_Leonide]

You mentioned that is wasn’t “authored” by man and won’t be “severed” by man. So, how does that effect the modern secular state of Israel?

I brought up Abraham because most people tie in any relationship with Israel as being a continuation of the blessing bestowed on Abraham and was asking you if you thought the modern state of Israel and the biblical Abraham were one and the same.

[Sender]

I believe that the modern state of Israel, in the form of the Jewish promised land, is the continuity of the line of Abraham, yes.

Do the Jews and the residents of Israel make mistakes or act unwisely sometimes? Yes. Is there still a covenant with God? Yes.

If the US were afflicted with a fraction of the attacks perpetrated on Israel, we would unleash the hounds of hell. Even Obama would.

[Professor_Leonide]

I agree with most of your post, except that I think you should know that your first post is greatly contested in the Jewish community.

[Sender]

What...that the goyim have somehow attached themselves to the covenant? That there is a special relationship between the Jews over there and Christians over here?

If many Jews reject that, I am not surprised. They voted for Obama. They once voted for a golden calf. No one ever said that common sense was a Jewish trait.

I don't think of myself as an evangelical Christian. I am not here to ram Christianity down someone's throat. I believe that there is one God, the one known to Abraham and Isaac and that the Temple will be rebuilt, etc. I believe that the nations will come against Jerusalem and that God will intervene. I also personally believe that Jesus Christ was sent down here as our Messiah. If there are those that can't wrap themselves around that, then they are free to search for their own Messiah. Your mileage may vary.

But this I do know; we are all, Jews and Christians, in this foxhole together. We had better overlook our differences and get our plans in order.

[Professor_Leonide]

Please don’t take offense at this, but you have no understanding of the issue.

[Sender]

What is the issue then? I want to know.

[Professor_Leonide]

Honestly, I can’t help you because of your lack of knowledge and your over eagerness. You are in a state of infatuation with an idea you hold precious. So, give the issue some thought and read up on it at various locations. Read authors you may initially disagree with and most importantly, consult your Bible and, if possible, get a Stone Ed. of the “Chumash” - look for a Jewish bookstore in your local phonebook.

[Sender]

I will read the Chumash. Perhaps I have misrepresented my feelings in my usual way. I feel a strong partnership with the modern state of Israel and with Jews who have not gone completely bonkers.

I am not trying to insert myself into the Old Testament nor claim direct ties to Jewish law or blessings etc. I just want to help the Israelis. I am not trying to convert them or subvert them. Who wouldn't want a friend like that?

If we don't have an infatuation with an idea we hold precious, we become...secular and apathetic. Just my two cents.