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At Annual Meeting, Pro-Israel Group Reasserts Clout
But this year, Aipac's annual conference comes after a period fraught with small anxieties for the group and its supporters.
A CODEINK activist interrupts the conference. Her sign says "Free Gaza."(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images North America) Just days ago, the Obama administration said it was seeking the dismissal of charges that two former Aipac analysts had violated an espionage statute by improperly disseminating national security information.
The case against Steven J. Rosen and Keith Weissman had raised what many in the pro-Israel community in the United States regard as an unfair, even toxic question about whether the loyalty of some American Jews to Israel matches or exceeds their loyalty to the United States.
Gary Silow, a Philadelphia-area lawyer and Aipac member at the convention, said he was deeply troubled by the potential for renewed discussion of what he said was the offensive "dual loyalty" issue. In Mr. Silow's view, "the fact that they came after Aipac was what was really disturbing."
Like many at the convention, Mr. Silow said he was relieved at the move for a dismissal.
More than half the members of the House and Senate attended Monday night's dinner, which featured the group's "roll call" in which the lawmakers all rise. It is a conscious - and effective - effort to demonstrate the group's influence on Capitol Hill.
Even as the charges were dismissed, the issue of Aipac's role in the capital's political life surfaced again in recent days with the disclosure that Representative Jane Harman, Democrat of California, had been overheard in 2005 on a government wiretap offering to help reduce the charges. Ms. Harman, who has denied she intervened in the Rosen-Weissman case, was greeted with sustained applause when she appeared on Sunday morning.
The site of the conference, the Washington Convention Center, is conveniently, and symbolically, about equally close to the White House and the Capitol, the two objects of Aipac's muscular demonstration. Along with 6,000 delegates, mostly Jewish, leaders of the two branches of government have been attending the convention to offer praise for Aipac and support of Israel, both in generally unreserved language.
The roster of scheduled guests from Sunday through the meeting's conclusion on Tuesday included Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.; Senator John Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat who is chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee; Newt Gingrich, a former House speaker who remains an important Republican voice; and Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, who has longstanding ties to Israel. The group also heard from the new Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu (via satellite), and the new opposition leader, Tzipi Livni, and the president, Shimon Peres (in person).
Huge slides of former American presidents were displayed, and there was a murmur of disapproval when the image of Jimmy Carter appeared. Mr. Carter brokered the Camp David peace accords but has turned harshly critical of Israel since leaving office.
Speeches are scrutinized closely at Aipac events. As a presidential candidate in June 2008, Barack Obama spoke to Aipac to counter whispers in the American Jewish community that he was insufficiently committed to Israel. Mr. Obama told the group that he regarded them as "friends who share my strong commitment to make sure that the bond between the United States and Israel is unbreakable today, tomorrow and forever."
Mr. Obama went on to win an estimated 78 percent of the Jewish vote, a figure higher than that won four years earlier by Mr. Kerry.
Many of the Aipac attendees are planning to fan out on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to brace lawmakers with their views. Aipac's spokesman, Josh Block, said there were 508 appointments at Congressional offices.
The conference's literature is filled with suggestions for lobbying as in "don't be late" and "be direct" in making your case.
Aipac officials say the key to their success is linking their supporters across the country with their local elected lawmakers. "Relationships matter" is a slogan plastered around the convention hall. Aipac does not make political donations but encourages its members to do so.
Last year, some prominent American Jews, asserting that Aipac's generally down-the-line support of Israeli policy was neither helpful to Israel nor wise, founded a counter group called J Street. J Street, which is only a tiny percentage of the size of Aipac, is vocal about supporting lawmakers who might disagree with some Israeli policies. Aipac officials have tried to treat J Street as if it were lint.
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36 Comments so far
Show AllAIPAC, the cancer on America.
The USA citizen who gave the Aipac spys the information is serving 12 years on a guilty plea.
But O's DOJ can not make a case against the Zionists who received the same information.
O walks like a zionist,has the son of an Irgun terrorist as Chief of Staff, O talks like a zionist.
Torture, Treason all acceptable if you have O's seal of approval.
Ah, AIPAC! One dare not call it Amerika's resident Fifth Column-- but we might as well call it the Fifth Estate!
Meanwhile, no doubt moderate, well-behaved liberals will roll their eyes again at those awful, awful Code Pink activists showing up to be rude and impolite with their disruptive foolishness.
I give them full credit for daring to go where no man has gone before-- at least since the Sixties, an era our AIPAC-submissive president finds distasteful.
ยท Yr Obd't Servant
Welcome to the US of I!!!
And, BTW, meet the stealth party (AIPAC) that runs both parties!
What can I say except - BOYCOTT ISRAEL - and it's supporters.
Stop voting for and paying taxes to Israeli Agents.
Humbaba,
I fear America will send the same bunch of zionist supporting scum bags back to Washington. Don't know when the voters will wake up. I pray soon.
AIPAC and the Zionist Israelis represent Jews in the same way the Ku Klux Klan represents Christians.
Thank you, Code Pink, for interrupting Peres's speech. Of course, this was not mentioned in this NYT article. Did the NY Times really not even notice six women, holding banners and shouting, being removed by security? Nope, just another instance of the mainstream press pretending that there is no opposition, no protests, nothing to see here, just move along.
Did the article mention "Zionism"?
You can criticize Zionism, but the word Israel is sacred.
So the author never brings up the subject that AIPAC is pushing the Zionist agenda; not the people of Israel agenda or the spirit of Hebrew religion.
You're right. I should have said that AIPAC and the Israeli government represent Jews in the same way that the Ku Klux Klan represents Christians.
But the KKK doesn't have a strong lobby in Washington or dictate US policy. At least I hope not.
To progressive thinkers in both Israel and U.S.A., we are overpowered by Corporate Media whose job it is to set the stage for arguments.
We need to stress the ways they do this and educate the MSM reader about these tactics.
It's like saying the United States is a racist country. If the people knew what was happening in their name, I mean actually being in a village while our drones are raining down bombs on village people, they would be horrified.
When you say the U.S. or Israel is evil, you are fighting a deep rooted nationalism/patriotism. It's better to isolate the group responsible and expose them for what they are! The Republicans and Neo-Conservatives are morphing into some a new shell because both names leave a bad taste, the Dimocrats will do the same soon.
The MSM will do it's best to set the stage and assist in painting a rosy picture for all it's friends. So when it's believers generalize a country or a people it's up to us to be more specific and detailed.
Most here do this already!
-----
A friend traveled to an African country and started to apologize for the U.S. action when he was stopped. The person said, "We don't blame you! We know all about bad governments!"
To all of those whom bemoan AIPAC's influence: do something about it more than moaning about it here. The J Street Project is a good alternative to AIPAC (which for all intents and purposes, is an American auxiliary of the Likud Party). Conversely, how about Arab Americans organizing themselves similarly into a lobbying force as well? The incumbent challenge for the Arab American community is to build their own lobbying organization, though it remains to be seen whether or not they will show the same perseverance AIPAC did in doing so.
I don't think J-street is that much better. I suspect that it is basically a wolf in sheep's clothing. Kinda like calling Ehud Barack a dove....
J-Steet is another Israel first organization.
How about a lobby for the American people so they can finally get some representation...now that's a novel concept.
I suspect if an Arab American so much as smiles at another Arab American they will both be rendered to Egypt and tortured as terrorists.
"The case against Steven J. Rosen and Keith Weissman had raised what many in the pro-Israel community in the United States regard as an unfair, even toxic question about whether the loyalty of some American Jews to Israel matches or exceeds their loyalty to the United States."
Why would anyone regard this as unfair, given the clout that AIPAC and the whole Israel Lobby has in the USA?
Dual citizenships should end. Dual loyalties should be put in a closet when one has a high government job. And, if an American cannot choose, s/he should not be in a place of power. And, if they abuse it, they should be deported or tried for treason.
The Israel Lobby has chosen where its loyalty lies. Why can't the members be honest and make Israel their home? God knows Israel has plenty of land for the taking and housing in the making. Just go!
I think it is AIPAC itself that makes "dual loyalties" an issue. If lobbies only wanted to voice their opinion on issues to their representatives, that would be fine. But AIPAC is a financial force that cannot be crossed. AIPAC has editorial clout that makes and breaks politicians. In other words, AIPAC does not support free and fair elections and the principle that government derives its legitimacy from the people it represents. AIPAC will silence us on issues like single payer health care even as it touts another war - like it bought the war in Iraq - that we can't afford. AIPAC in not a good citizen as it doesn't even support the rule of law.
Dual loyalties? What if the country was being dragged into war with China for freeing Taiwan by the Chinese American PAC? Would that be any different? We can't afford to have another administration - this one led by Rahm Emanuel, and another president who knows he must do as he is told by the Likud or be Monica Lewinskied.
If AIPAC doesn't want to be accused, then how about they first look to see if their actions merit the judgement.
Support the rule of law. Support the principle that government represents the American people - all of us. Support free speech. Support making bribery illegal again. Stand with us, not against us and we won't whisper our resentment against your power. And speaking of resentment, stop insulting us with fake liberals.
Israel depends on the United States, that why they can't just go. Israel needs its fifth column.
George 4:01 Exactly the USA is the big dumb Bull that gives milk ( Money) and protection.
And do not think for a second Aipak and Mossad do not work on assassinations together.
The fact that half of our Congress attended attended the annual meeting of the Arms Industry Political Action Committee says a whole lot about why we give such a disproportionate amount of our tax money to the military-industrial complex.
It's disgusting, revolting and a disgrace.
Yes, Israel is basically the main obstacle to peace in the Middle East.
And our government is making sure it stays the same.
Until Obama gets serious about truth justice and peace, the economy will fail even more for the majority of citizens.
Now, can anyone in their right mind, imagine Obama dropping the charges of "disseminating national security information" if instead of "Rosen" and "Weissman", their surnames were something like "Barghouti" or "Hussein" or "Abunimah" and they worked for the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee?
Here's an event that could have used s 'surgical strike'.
'Don't get fooled again' - Pete Townsend
For some reason, my mind goes back to 1930's Germany. If der fuehrer was to come to an area to speak, the roads were lined with people heiling, saluting, and cheering. Also present were members of the SS and SD watching the crowd. Anybody who was not heiling and cheering, or saluting with enthusiasm, might be beaten almost to death, or just disappear. At the very least, he would lose his job or position. The same held true where people gathered to hear der fuehrer on the radio. Always, someone was watching and taking note.
So, here is our Congress and Senate, attending the AIPAC "rally's," cheering on the zionists with great enthusiasm, lest they lose their sinecures, to disappear into obscurity.
I'm sorry, but the "Democratic" Obamanation is the same lapdog as many administrations have been before them. Lapdogs exist to please their masters, hence the $3 billion plus that the Israeli govenment is given of our tax money every year, mostly in high tech weaponry.
Heil Likud!
Christians say:
Israel is evil, and it's up to "God" to punish them, but if you are a good Christian, you must protect Israel in all their wrong doing. (Where does the Bible say this?!!!!)
It was Jesus who went through a Jewish market place knocking over tables and condemning them for evil deeds!
Today's Christians need to follow this example of "Speaking Truth to Power"!
These are the real terrorists in America. They advocate death and destruction of the many for the profit of a few. They should all be rounded up and those that are not citizens should be deported immediately, if there are no pending criminal charges. Those who are Americans syhould be charged with inciting hate crimes. There has been too much blood shed for these worthless pukes.
So half our congress were in attendance for an AIPAC get together, including chief of staff (Zionist) Rahm Emanuel and Vice President Joe Biden, BUT our new "Black" President Boycotts a conference on Racism?! Can't even send a delegation to attend in his place!
-Why? Because one of this issues on the table was the FACT that Zionist Israel is a Racist State who is causing genocide on the Palestinian peoples of GAZA!
Zionist Israel = Racism.
Just look at Israel's flag, the Star of David, a well recognized Jewish Religious symbol - so the flag is basically saying if you are not Jewish you are not welcome OR even more so - if You are not Zionist you are Not welcome!
And this is America's closet ally?
Oi Vey!
AIPAC Puts Us All At Risk
"Based on?"
"Israel's U.S. backed wars upon Palestinians and Lebanese is what stokes the hatred that underlies the messianic movements in the Mideast and elsewhere, including but not limited to al-Qaeda."
"Which makes AIPAC and its supporters?"
"Traitors."
I hear that the main course at the dinner was whole baby Gazan flash roasted in White Phosphorus, in a demi glaze sause of the tears of the parents.
"The only means of strengthening one's intellect is to make up one's mind about nothing, to let the mind be a thoroughfare for all thoughts." - John Keats
I believe it is important to identify those members of Congresswho are present and accounted for. They must be watched diligently for signs of treachery. AIPAC has never been covert about its main goal the control of Congress and thereby the American Government and to date they are doing quite well reaching that goal. their enablers are, of course, those very Congressional members who attend AIPAC functions with impunity and who have sold their votes and their birthright to Israel for a mess of pottage. Unfortunate but true. Why don't Americans ask their elected officials why they vote for everything AIPAC wants? they won't respond I'm sure with the truth that their votes were bought but nevertheless it will instill a note of caution in those complicit with Israel and they may be reluctant to overplay their hand next time.
Aipac?
Sure, AIPAC is a touch more threatening looking.
Article should have mentioned the FPI, or is it Fpi now?
Like, I thought the I in AIPAC stood for Israel, but the NYT's should know.
Or is it Nyt's now?
Weird. Obvious.
OK Obama, past time to kick out the assholes; yes, it's so waaay time to cut the excrement (not one of the 7 dirty words) & cut all aid to the violent, racist Zionists.
There are so many beautiful jews in this world that i know personally and in the media that make the policies of the Zionst israeli gov't and their Us tagalongs support of current Israeli policy actually a blasphemy on the core of all the world's religions.
AIPAC is certainly a cancer. I wish it was the only one.
I love to death the blogs and posters on CD. But, it's essential that we contact whitehouse.org; not to mention all our congresspeople.
Must contact all of them directly as possible, while lobbyists take them to wine and dinner.
They've got the guns (& $), but we,ve got the numbers, COME ON WE"RE TAKIN" OVVER!! Do you hear us Obama, do you hear us Democratic Congress, do you hear us Reublicans w/a conscience!!! C'mon, let's go for it. give a few minutes of or time and maybe a few of our hard-earned $!!
there
.
AIPAC is the FIFTH COLUMN within the United States. It is an organization that has in the past, and continues today to corrupt and undermind the United States of America.
Several thousand U.S. Citizens/Zionist have infiltrated the Government of our Country, as well as, the fabric of our private sector ( Wall Street, Corporate Banking, Acadamic Institutions, R&D, Industrial Complex, and the Military).
The Spies and Corruptors are here to undermind the Independence and Democracy of the American People. AIPAC are Traitors.........they serve Israel First.
These Zionist Traitors must be rooted out. These Traitors must be made to pay for their traitorous work.
AIPAC is the "Enemies Within" !!!!!!!!!!!!
,
Bring America Back !!!!,..............I highly recommend a reading of the book:
'Those Who Dare To Speak Out ' by former congressman Paul Findley..even
more relevant today as when he wrote it !!!
****Also, a visit to Jstreet.org gives a better position that the Tail should never wag the Dog.
REMEMBER GAZA !!!!
Were they passing out the IDF tee shirts (standard issue to all recruits) with the pregnant Palestinian woman with crosshairs over her belly and the slogan ONE SHOT, TWO KILLS?
100 million USans voted Likud in the Nov 2008 elections.