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Rethinking Israel ? The Nation says the time has come
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by smkovalinsky | October 20, 2009 at 10:40 am
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Ex-U_S_ government scientist arrested for attempted spying 19th Oct_
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~The Nation, Oct. 20, 2009
Today's Nation magazine online has a piece by Adam Horowitz and Phillip Weiss in which Gaza is called "the bookend to the War of 1967", grassroots movements are noted, and a new generation, applying the lessons of human rights, begins to question and rethink Israel:
This year has seen a dramatic shift in American Jews' attitudes toward Israel. In January many liberal Jews were shocked by the Gaza war, in which Israel used overwhelming force against a mostly defenseless civilian population unable to flee. Then came the rise to power of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, whose explicitly anti-Arab platform was at odds with an American Jewish electorate that had just voted 4 to 1 for a minority president. Throw in angry Israelis writing about the "rot in the Diaspora," and it's little wonder young American Jews feel increasingly indifferent about a country that has been at the center of Jewish identity for four decades.
These stirrings on the American Jewish street will come to a head in late October in Washington with the first national conference of J Street, the reformation Israel lobby. J Street has been around less than two years, but it is summoning liberal--and some not so liberal--Jews from all over the country to "rock the status quo," code for AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee).Sure sounds like a velvet revolution in the Jewish community, huh? Not so fast. The changes in attitudes are taking place at the grassroots; by and large, Jewish leaders are standing fast. And as for policymakers, the opening has been slight. There seems little likelihood the conference will bring us any closer to that holy grail of the reformers: the ability of a US president, not to mention Congress, to put real pressure on Israel.
First the good news. There's no question the Gaza conflict has helped break down the traditional Jewish resistance to criticizing Israel. Gaza was "the worst public relations disaster in Israel's history," says M.J. Rosenberg, a longtime Washington analyst who reports for Media Matters Action Network. For the first time in a generation, leading American Jews broke with the Jewish state over its conduct. New York Times columnist Roger Cohen said he was "shamed" by Israel's actions, while Michelle Goldberg wrote in the Guardian that Israel's killing of hundreds of civilians as reprisal for rocket attacks was "brutal" and probably "futile."
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smkovalinsky
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a211423
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (13)
at 12:22 on October 20th, 2009
For the first time in a generation, leading American Jews broke with the Jewish state over its conduct
It's not just American Jews, but how the entire world is viewing Isreal right now.
And when you add the recent arrest of Nozette for attempting to sell secrets to Isreal, it makes one question Isreal's long term intentions in the region and internationally.
at 11:20 on October 21st, 2009
a211423,
I think that it is this kind of attitude and misstatement about Israel and spying causes foolish remarks and misunderstanding. According to the "press" Nozette was not spying for Israel he was caught in a sting by the FBI acting as Mossad agents and had absolutely nothing to do with Israel. Israel never approached him and was not involved at all. These are serious charges so lets be clear.
As far as American Jews are concerned everyone makes these assumptions about being against the war in Gaza because of the relentless rockets being fired on to the Israel communities near by. I am not convinced of the rhetoric and all polls disagree with your feeling about the war regarding American Jews.
at 12:26 on October 20th, 2009
Oh, that is an excellent point! I recommend it. Yes, why indeed did our ally, whom we protect and defend, need our defense secrets? Why indeed?. . . smk
at 13:07 on October 20th, 2009
Not sure if the perception is correct with regards to Israel.
Mr. Nozette thought he was selling secrets to Israel. Haven't seen anything that said Israel itself was actually involved.
If that is incorrect, let me know, please.
from the Christion-Scienc Monitor:
Israeli officials said there was no reason to comment on the issue, pointing out that he hasn't been accused of spying for Israel. Israel Radio reported Tuesday that senior government officials said in response to the developments that Israel does not gather intelligence in or spy on friendly states.
at 13:11 on October 20th, 2009
HA
I did pose this question on another thread, but after thinking about it. Why would the FBI agents pose as Israeli? Why not Iranian or Korean? They would seem to be the most plausible candidates, unless U.S. intelligence knows something they are not revealing in terms of possible Isreali suspects.
at 11:25 on October 21st, 2009
Excellent question. Many commentators are asking the same question. It has been known for a very long time the distrust in the FBI and the CIA of American Jews. One theory is that using the idea of an Israeli interest would kill two birds with one stone.
In all due respect please read the news about all of this and you will have your questions asked. He was after MONEY period according to press information.
at 13:34 on October 20th, 2009
HA
Has the U.S. intelligence issued any reports as to why they posed as Isrealis? To me this would be a more definitive explanation.
U.S. intelligence knew about the nuclear facilities in Iran for months before revealing it, which came as a surprise to everyone--not to mention Iran.
at 13:43 on October 20th, 2009
from the article: (copy>paste is easier than trying to explain - and, yes, i am lazy.)
The complaint does not accuse him of spying for Israel, but it did reveal that Nozette believed he had already been working for Mossad through a front organization in the past. According to the document, he told an undercover agent whom he believed to be from Mossad, "I thought I was working for you already. I mean, that's what I always thought. [The foreign company] was just a front."
That company has been identified in the Israeli press as Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI), which is owned by the Israeli government and is the country's largest aerospace and defense company.
From November 1998 through January 2008, Nozette worked as a technical consultant for IAI, answering questions posed by the company once a month in return for payments totaling about $225,000 over a decade
at 11:27 on October 21st, 2009
All he did was once worked as a consultant for IAI. Quasi-governmental agency.
at 13:48 on October 20th, 2009
So there is an Israeli connection.
Thanks for the information.
at 14:03 on October 20th, 2009
Israel spying on US...maybe!
at 14:18 on October 20th, 2009
Nozette's arrest yesterday stemmed from an FBI sting operation. An affidavit filed in connection with his arrest does not say what tipped federal authorities off to Nozette's alleged espionage activities. But it does mention a trip abroad that Nozette made during which he allegedly had in his possession two computer thumb-drives containing encrypted material. The thumb drives were apparently not with him when he returned.
This article from computer world does not mention where Nozette went on his "trip abroad." I would like to know which country (s) he visited.
at 11:30 on October 21st, 2009
The reporters and journalists you mention are of course the biggest critics of Israel in general aside from the War in Gaza. Let us just be clear of their biases and intentions.