[T. Belman. Whatever happened to free speech?]
‘We take great offense to those that are levied against the United States of America from our stage,’ AIPAC’s president says on Tuesday.
The leaders of the largest American pro-Israel lobby distanced themselves on Tuesday morning from Donald Trump’s attacks on President Barack Obama at their policy conference.
Trump addressed the annual Washington gathering of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee on Monday night, and some of his biggest applause lines were his characteristically blunt critiques of Obama, who he said “may be the worst thing to ever happen to Israel, believe me, believe me.”
AIPAC president Lillian Pinkus read a statement from the stage on Tuesday to disavow Trump’s remarks.
“We say unequivocally that we do not countenance ad hominem attacks, and we take great offense to those that are levied against the United States of America from our stage,” Pinkus said. “While we may have policy differences, we deeply respect the office of the president of the United States and our president, Barack Obama.”
She also castigated attendees who responded positively to Trump’s comments.
“There are people in our AIPAC family who were deeply hurt last night, and for that, we are deeply sorry,” Pinkus said. “We are disappointed that so many people applauded a sentiment that we neither agree with or condone.”
In his remarks, Trump attacked the Iran deal, as well as Obama and Hillary Clinton. Both, he said, “have treated Israel very, very badly.”
Trump’s speech at AIPAC put the group in an awkward position for many reasons. His harsh rhetoric has prompted consternation among American Jews, many of whom see echoes of Holocaust-era anti-Semitism in his attacks on Muslims and immigrants. Ahead of the conference, supporters of Israel were concerned about his previously stated plans to take a neutral position in negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians.
At the same time, Trump’s skill at channeling anger was once again on display at AIPAC. While the American Jewish community tends to skew Democratic on most issues, Israel has become a growing point of contention, and Obama has fought perceptions that he’s insufficiently supportive of the Jewish state. AIPAC had lobbied against his signature Iran deal.
Pinkus said that Trump’s comments hurt the group’s efforts to broaden the base of the pro-Israel movement.
“Let us take this moment to pledge to each other that in this divisive and tension-filled political season, we will not allow those who wish to divide our movement from the left or from the right will not succeed in doing so,” she concluded.
A primary vote for Trump is a vote to elect Hillary:
People ultimately tire of Trump’s offensive insanity and after awhile they frankly don’t give a damn. The same short shelf life applies to the delusional blathering of his obnoxious supporters. His twenty-two point lead is now three, and after the nut gets through threatening the wives of his opponents, that advantage will be Gone With The Wind.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vim4ZKuNm6k
AIPAC does not know what to do with itself!!! They must love the Iran deal!
Cruz did not condemn all the Muslims. Only those who are being indoctrinated and the fanatics.
Is AIPAC supporting the Liberal Jews now? That is the way it looks from here!
AIPAC is meshugina. It can’t be pro-Obama and pro-Israel.
babushka Said:
JoeBillScott Said:
Your wish was granted years ago. The groups are virtually indistinguishable.
AIPAC formally endorsed the two-state concept even though the PA’s continuing antisemitic incitement, support for terrorism and calls for the destruction of Israel clearly show that the Palestinians have no desire for such a resolution.
Since the 2008 presidential campaign AIPAC has seemed more concerned with not offending critics or making waves than in asserting strong positions that may not be politically popular among liberals and Democrats. But by offering only tentative criticism of Mr. Obama’s treatment of Israel, the organization has failed to fully address a turn in American foreign policy that is detrimental to the continuity of the Jewish State. Thus, the issue is whether AIPAC should cast off the apparent Diaspora mentality that seems to be taking hold. Although many Jews are loath to be seen as ethnocentric, they need to wake up and recognize that the Arabs and their political allies have no problem being chauvinistic and demonizing all who disagree with them.
AIPAC should become more like The Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Most American Jews and vast majority of AIPAC
Well put.
By any chance, are you hitting the keys at random?
Those aren’t people. Those are self-hating Jews.
@ woolymammoth:
Who is the gorilla lady with the cute anus? She sounds fascinating!
Trump’s comments were courageous and in place. Finally someone had the guts to speak the truth.
Seems like the 80% in the community, the suckers who voted for Obama, twice, and would vote for him a third time, if given the choice; have sensitive feelings about the speech. They are not comfortable with Trump. Well that is just too bad.
AIPAC is an organization, let us say, with a checkered past. Their heavy handed, comes with an optional limp wrist, robotic and flat foot style with nose in the air, self righteous, an unsavory professional pack of jehovah’s wolves, with the collective wisdom and intelligence of a slug, turn me off. Their less than subtle carpet canvas lobbying efforts, it can be argued, do more harm than good, making support for Israel seem corrupt, thus providing endless ammo (as does j street)for those who are looking for any reason to accuse Jewish Americans of dual loyalty. Is AIPAC more a liability than an asset? Yes, we can do better.
In this case, they showed their true colors, they took sides. The morons will vote 80% for Clinton.
Trump will prevail. No one can doubt his position now, not even Our Own AIPAC Mutant, The Honourable LOUDMOUTH Gorilla Lady, with the cute anus. And her monkey, Donktor Jerkskull.