Congress to Obama on Israel: Do what we say, not what we do

Following AIPAC’s lead, 327 members of Congress wrote a letter to President Obama last week whose core message resonates with the approach to politics favored by Pope Benedict: difficulties should be handled discreetly with the minimum of publicity. It’s a tried and tested practice that has throughout history been shown to be as rotten as it appears, yet it appeals to its proponents because those who follow this path have an immense tolerance for hypocrisy.

Thus, the letter to Obama read:

We recognize that, despite the extraordinary closeness between our country and Israel, there will be differences over issues both large and small. Our view is that such differences are best resolved quietly, in trust and confidence, as befits longstanding strategic allies.

As for differences between Congress and the administration, those are best handled through an open letter in which 327 publicity-conscious politicians can very visibly identify themselves as lackeys of the Israel lobby.

Had this letter to the president not been an open letter, I wonder how many signatures it would have got?

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6 thoughts on “Congress to Obama on Israel: Do what we say, not what we do

  1. Jose Jimenez

    Those members of Congress should be charge with treason. Their are loyal to a foreign government.

  2. Christopher Hoare

    If I were a US citizen I would be as angry as Jose over this. However, all the Canadian political parties have to toe the line set out by B’nai Brith, or risk political embarrassment. The Conservatives, of course, toady enthusiastically.

    My feeling is that the Israel lobby in most Western countries is just past the peak of their power, so whatever happens to the foot dragging of the ‘bought and paid for politicians’ the lobby has only one way to go. The idea for the US to abstain from a new vote at the UN condemning the illegal settlements might be the next step up. The policy for the Obama administration seems to be one which draws out the Congress to commit themselves to either a US interest or an Israeli one.

    Taking steps to include the occupied Palestinian areas in Israel within the responsibility of CENTCOM would be the boldest. Even Hamas is showing signs of sufficient pragmatism to welcome US military observers into Gaza — if only as a tripwire for the Israeli army. Some international force would be needed to backstop the future of the ‘Second State’, and Petraeus has as good as advised the move.

  3. Magdi

    this is what we are talking about ,the people who govern the world are those who manufactures weapons and destructions they don’t care how many died today or yesterday how many had or has been wounded they don’t care the pains that people are suffering they only care for how much gains will return to them of any of their divel works peace is a world to satisfy the world opinion

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