“Fighting That Persistent Lie”
We might have expected WikiLeaks exposure to kill it: the Obama claim that cooperation with Arab states was dependent upon an Israeli-Palestinian negotiated peace.
But here we have it again, in somewhat different, and more outrageous, form:
A former CIA officer, Bruce Riedel, has just given a talk at a Middle East Policy Council event on Capitol Hill. The fact that legislators and their aides were privy to his “expert” words make them that much more damaging. What he said was that:
-
“American lives are being lost today because of the perpetuation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.”
Frank Anderson, also a former CIA official, and president of the Policy Council, reiterated this sentiment, saying “we are paying an increasing price in blood for their [Israeli and Palestinian] failure and refusal to reach an agreement.”
Riedel explained — if you can call what he said an explanation — that:
“The Arab-Israeli conflict is at the heart and center of Al-Qaeda’s ideology and its narrative.” (Emphasis added)
~~~~~~~~~~
This is so offensively distorted, so far removed from the reality of the situation, that it cannot be allowed to pass without rebuttal.
Al Qaeda’s — and Bin Laden’s — quarrel is with the US and the West. It is a clash of civilizations, within which Israel plays a decidedly minimal role. Were Israel and the PA to forge an agreement, it would not affect Bin Laden’s attitude towards American civilization.
~~~~~~~~~~
I cite here from a Congressional Research Service Report for Congress that was released by the US Navy Department of History:
“Osama Bin Laden’s experiences as a logistical coordinator and financier for…resistance to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan during the 1980s are thought to have provided the backdrop for his belief that Muslims could take effective military action inspired by select Islamic principles. His exposure to the teachings of conservative Islamist scholars in Saudi Arabia and his work with Arab militants in Afghanistan provided the theological and ideological basis for his belief in the desirability of puritanical Salafist Islamic reform in Muslim societies and the necessity of armed resistance in the face of perceived aggression — a concept Al Qaeda has since associated with a communally-binding Islamic principle known as ‘defensive jihad.’
“In the early 1990s, Bin Laden emphasized his desire to secure the withdrawal of U.S. and other foreign troops from Saudi Arabia at all costs…Bin Laden was expelled from Saudi Arabia and his ire increasingly focused on the United States. Following a period of exile in Sudan and Afghanistan in which his radical views sharpened, Bin Laden issued a declaration of jihad against the United States in 1996 that signaled his emergence as an internationally recognizable figure…
“Following his declaration of jihad on the United States, Bin Laden released a series of statements that expanded the vision and scope of his self-declared conflict with the United States…Echoing U.S. academic Samuel Huntington’s theory on the impending clash of civilizations, Bin Laden repeated his characterization of a so-called ‘new crusade led by America against the Islamic nations,’ and emphasized his belief that an emerging conflict between Islam and the West would be fought ‘between the Islamic world and the Americans and their allies.'”
http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/al-queda%20evolve.htm
The report mentions two audiotapes released in 2005, which identify the bases of Al Qaeda’s political ideology:
An Islamic state governed solely by sharia law is primary. Secular government is unacceptable and deemed contrary to Islamic faith. Muslims must resist and overthrow rulers who violate Islamic law and principles.
Then there must be a liberation of Muslim lands “from every aggressor.” Israel is mentioned in this context, of course, but not only Israel: included are all Western forces, whether in Iraq, Afghanistan or elsewhere. And where Israel is concerned, the goal is most certainly not an Arab-Israeli peace, but the eradication of a Jewish presence on the land.
~~~~~~~~~~
And where is all of this going? Why, the US government has to lean harder on Israel, of course. Israeli positions should be more in concert with American efforts to forge a deal.
Riedel suggested that a positive approach might be most effective: “Israelis need that hug. Implicit in the hug can also be, you’ll get a cold shoulder if we’re not moving in the right direction.”
With “friends” like these…
~~~~~~~~~~
Let us segue, then, to the obvious question: Just what is happening with that “peace process” these days?
Last week, Arab states submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council that reads, “Israeli settlements established in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, are illegal and constitute a major obstacle to the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.”
Although it has close to 120 sponsors, a vote on it will not be called any time soon because of fear of a US veto.
Last I wrote about this, I expressed concern about whether we would see such a veto — my unease stemming from
a tendency by the Obama administration to appease the Palestinian Arabs. But the Americans do seem to be holding the line on this issue.
~~~~~~~~~~
A couple of my readers have asked why there should be any expectation that the US would veto this — which is presumably a forerunner to a request that the SC recognize a Palestinian state — when Obama very much wants to see such a state established. And I think there are two answers:
First, the US may recognize that this route is fraught with diplomatic and legal difficulties. A Security Council vote not withstanding, the state would not emerge easily via a unilateral path. Thus the Americans are holding fast to the very legitimate position that issues can only be successfully resolved via face to face negotiations.
Then too, we must remember that Obama seeks a diplomatic success here. He still seems to hold fast to the delusion that he may be able to move the “process” forward in a way that would accrue positively to his reputation. This would not happen if the PA went the route of the UN — for it would be taken out of his hands.
~~~~~~~~~~
And so, while all of the talk of a unilaterally declared state may come back to haunt us, at the moment it is old news. For Abbas has now come out with an explicit statement (which we could see coming late last week) that the PA will not be unilaterally declaring the establishment of a state.
What he says, however, is that the failure to achieve a state via negotiations could lead to a popular uprising or a “revolution” — a strange word in this context. As he put it to Al Jazeera on Friday, “it will have serious repercussions for the entire region.”
I see this as a scare tactic: an attempt to frighten not only Israel but the international powers that be, so as to move them to further pressure Israel.
Included in his words we can find more than a hint that he might lead his people in the wrong direction. For what the PA said, and how officials handled the situation, would have a direct impact on the people’s response. Remember, what had been identified as “spontaneous” Palestinian Arab fury at the presence of Ariel Sharon on the Temple Mount in 2000 was in fact pre-planned and carefully orchestrated by Arafat — he brought his people to that “Second Intifada.” And was Arafat not Abbas’s mentor?
~~~~~~~~~~
Even though Abbas is publicly ruling out a war against Israel, what makes the situation more worrisome this time around is the presence of better trained and equipped PA security forces — thanks to the foolish and nearsighted US policy, which has been to build up these forces. The armed forces of the PA have a record of turning on Israel in times of frustration, and many of us have been concerned for some time about the possibility of it happening again.
~~~~~~~~~~
Why is Abbas relinquishing the UN option, at least for now?
For me it appears fairly straightforward: Abbas thought he had Obama in his hand, and it’s not quite turning out that way. We don’t know what has been communicated privately to the PA by the American government. But we do know that the bulk of official public statements coming out of the US is in support of resolution of the issues only via two-party negotiations. And we know that indications are that the US would veto the “settlements” resolution. What chance then, that Obama would allow a SC resolution on Palestinian statehood to pass?
~~~~~~~~~~
To make matters worse for Abbas, some European leaders have been getting cold feet about that unilateral declaration of statehood, as well.
Last week, British Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Alistair Burt, finishing up a Mid-East tour, told Ma’an News Agency that the British government cannot “recognize a state that does not have a capital, and doesn’t have borders.”
“We are looking forward to recognizing a Palestinian state at the end of the negotiations on settlements because our position is again very straightforward: We wish to see a two-state solution, a secure and recognized Israel side by side with a viable Palestine, Jerusalem as a joint capital and agreed borders.
“That’s where we want to get to. When we get there, that of course will imply recognition of a state of Palestine.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Has Obama provided some sort of reassurance to Abbas with regard to increased pressure on Israel on the “settlements” issue? We may suspect this to have been the case, but I’m seeing no concrete evidence for this.
~~~~~~~~~~
Abbas provided a whole litany of prior peace offers allegedly made by Barak and Olmert in the past. As we don’t know the truth of what he claims, and as the situation is now different, I don’t intend to visit that litany.
Both White House advisor Dennis Ross, and David Hale, top aide to George Mitchell, were here on Friday and, separately, met with Netanyahu. There has been no statement from Netanyahu’s office.
~~~~~~~~~~
I mentioned the PA security forces, above, and return here to take a look at these forces in another context. Important to know with whom we’re dealing:
The Arab Organization for Human Rights, located in Britain, has released a report indicating that these forces have been using torture systematically for years. In a study that reviewed the years October 2007 to October 2010, it was found that an incredible 95% of those detained by the forces were subjected to severe torture, which included hanging techniques (such as hanging detainees upside-down from the ceiling), electric shocks, pulling out nails, beatings with cables, and more.
At least six Palestinians have died in the course of torture in PA prisons, the report said, while many former detainees are permanently disabled. Khaled Abu Toameh cited the report in the JPost today: “In order to put pressure on detainees, close relatives, even minors, are brought to the interrogation center, where they may be tortured in front of the detainees in order to try to force a confession.”
~~~~~~~~~~
© Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by Arlene Kushner , functioning as an independent journalist. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper attribution
Julia and Susan,
So you understand where I am coming from.
rongrand says:
January 25, 2011 at 1:17 pm
julia coriat says:
January 25, 2011 at 2:35 am
I am thoroughly disgusted by your continuous repitition of the hateful libel. That the administration is antisemitic. Why don’t you read Obama’s recent speech- not to engage in personal prejudicial hateful attacks.
Julia, I don’t see any personal prejudicial hateful attacks. I didn’t mention anyone in particular.
Can you explain to me why this and former administrations leaders treat Israel as the villain in the ME while supporting the cast of characters such as Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Jordan and the likes, all with the worst human rights violations and finance and aid Hamas via the Palestinians?
And yet when there is a world crisis, who is one of the first despondence, Israel.
Israel is our only true friend and trusted ally in the ME.
Susan says:
January 24, 2011 at 9:25 pm
rongrand I am not beating a dead horse.
Susan, I was referring to my continued efforts to promote a better understanding of Israel as to beating a dead horse.
Since the liberal left media will not provide the truth I feel Israel needs to speak up.
Notice all the media coverage when Hamas and Hezbollah is sending rockets into Israel to kill Jews of all ages.
Then notice all the attention Israel gets as the villain when defending her homeland.
Something is wrong with that picture.
It’s all about lies and accusations against the Israelis mistreating the Palestinians.
Who will tell the truth if Israel doesn’t?
Julia, by the way get off the Obama kool-aid. Forget what he says, watch what he does.
Remember he is a “Community organizing pamphlet distributing anti-Semite, pretending to be a Christian (for political sake) embracing Islam (check his visits to the Arab world while neglecting Israel) incompetent president.
His new posture is to appear to move to the middle with hopes of gaining support for his next election.
Hopefully by then the public will finally recognize he is nothing more than a dud, elected through the support of the liberal left media and George Soros and company.
Julia, I don’t see any personal prejudicial hateful attacks. I didn’t mention anyone in particular.
Can you explain to me why this and former administrations leaders treat Israel as the villain in the ME while supporting the cast of characters such as Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Jordan and the likes, all with the worst human rights violations and finance and aid Hamas via the Palestinians?
And yet when there is a world crisis, who is one of the first despondence, Israel.
Israel is our only true friend and trusted ally in the ME.
Susan, I was referring to my continued efforts to promote a better understanding of Israel as to beating a dead horse.
Since the liberal left media will not provide the truth I feel Israel needs to speak up.
Notice all the media coverage when Hamas and Hezbollah is sending rockets into Israel to kill Jews of all ages.
Then notice all the attention Israel gets as the villain when defending her homeland.
Something is wrong with that picture.
It’s all about lies and accusations against the Israelis mistreating the Palestinians.
Who will tell the truth if Israel doesn’t?
Just about EVERYTHING enrages muslims… Someone pees in the wrong direction, and there’s a muslim riot somewhere…
Rongrand
correction
I am thoroughly disgusted by your continuous repitition of the hateful libel. That the administration is antisemitic. Why don’t you read Obama’s recent speech- not to engage in personal prejudicial hateful attacks. Why can’t you think before you write? All this does is engender more violence.
rongrand I am not beating a dead horse. What can PR do that history does not explain quite clearly? Look, all the PR in the world will not cleanse ones soul for disdain for Israel. The willful blind are just that for a reason. All the hasbara in the world will not make the world love Israel.
A middle age man in the 1950’s goes to the bank to borrow money. The banker sees this guy has a good background, good business and is not in debt. He looks back at this guy with a sad look on his face and in all honesty proclaims:
So times have changed and Jews are in high places and hell we control the banks, lol but in the end what knowledge we know about people prevents people from still hating Jews? Very little of antisemitism derives from ignorance.
So I will beat this horse into the ground until it is no longer necessary. The obsession with Jews transferred into Jews in Palestine, now Israel. This obsession and all the libels and everything which it entailed is the longest running hate of any one people since the beginning of time. There you go…
The reason the Kurds quite deserving of statehood don’t have it is because they were unlucky to not reside next to the State of Israel. The exact reason Israel the victim was turned into the victimizer is because of the blood that run through the veins of the guy with the hook nose and every Jew on earth. The catalyst of this obsession with Palestinian statehood and every lie that goes with it has it’s base in the ugliest of all traits of human kind.
Horay for the banker for at least he was honest. Horay for eyes wide open to see those ‘friends,’ wolves in sheep’s clothing all. Not just our known enemies betray us but those who profess otherwise for they the worst ones of all betrayed us KNOWING BETTER, KNOWING HISTORY, KNOWING THEY WERE LYING, Knowing with their lies they were destroying Israel but most of all and most sadly, KNOWING RIGHT FROM WRONG!! These are the ones sir who have made history.
For that and so much more everyone walks on thin ice now and that is no dead horse, let me tell you.
By beating a dead horse I have commented a number of times the need for a strong Israel PR program in the US and throughout the world for that matter.
The liberal left media will not bring the truth concerning Israel and you know no matter what they will paint Israel as the villain.
In spite of the majority of Americans supporting Israel, a very good percentage of them don’t understand the situation in the ME.
They don’t know for instance the Palestinians are no more than a anti-Semitic tool used by the Arab world to destroy Israel. They were used by Arafat and now by Hamas.
The Palestinians have no rights to Israel. G-d led the Jewish people back to the Holy Land and He was there for them when they were at war defending their rightful land.
And what you say “Anti-Semitism is the longest running hate against one people ever in history of our world” is so true.
Now ask anyone to provide you a reason for this hate and there won’t be any because there is nothing in history the Jews are responsible for that would warrant this kind of hate or any hate for that matter.
They are awarded blame for just about everything and anything throughout history and a a minority they became the universal scapegoat.
Fortunately I grew up in an area with very little anti-Semitism and there was a group of us Catholic HS students who hung out with our Jewish friends from the public HS. The only difference we noted in those days Jewish services were on Saturdays and ours were on Sunday. Now we likewise have Mass on Saturdays.
As I told Caroline Glick, (she is a great American and a great Israeli) if you are Jewish, no matter where you reside in the world you are connected to Israel by faith, heritage and by G-d.
Susan, Yamit (Uncle) is usually on the money. He calls a spade a spade
I agree, the Israeli leadership is the problem.
They have to stop worrying about what the US Administration and the rest of the world wants.
They have to stop apologizing to the rest of the world.
They have G-d given rights to the Holy Land and it’s not available to be given away, not an inch.
Ron #6
Ron I see a disconnect between meaningless polls and actual policy. According to your polls Israel doesn’t need more PR and according to the polls Americans seem to understand Israels needs and geopolitical positions.
There is no apparent linkage to general positive approval and even some understanding and actual American government policy.
The reason I believe is that congress makes statements and even passes meaningless resolutions but never holds any Presidents feet to the fire by imposing the congressional leverage they do for more important issues near and dear to their hearts.
Congressmen lose nothing by making nice pro Israel statement etc. Almost none go to the mat against any administration over Israel. The Jewish vote is inconsequential unless Florida or New York are in a dead heat but Jewish money is a good part of the grease that moves Americas political system.
The Jews by and large to not hold them to a real pro Israel agenda and for many Israel is a non Issue.
In short it’s all Bullshit.
Israel Leaders could force the Issue but they too are mostly cowards and all are corrupted.
I stopped taking American politics seriously since Clinton was elected to his first term
I don’t blame America I blame Israel and the Jews.
Bush was a Nazi?
BUSH-NAZI LINK CONFIRMED
Stupid Jews
rongrand one more thing.
You say this current administration is antisemitic but how would you rate the administration of a president who pledged to sign the embassy act and didn’t because of appeasement to those who wish ill upon the state of Israel. Appeasement following the worst intifada of all upon Israel and post 9-11 of all times. Yet this president continued to sign the lease on the U.S office of the PA who waged the intifada upon Israel. We wonder who paved the road to the phony Palestinian flag flying in the U.S? Anyway,you know by not signing the embassy act it told the world not from an enemy of Israel but a supposed ‘TRUE FRIEND’
What do you think this told the detractors of Israel not to mention the current occupier of the oval office whose agenda is so transparent even a blind person could see it?
When Bush failed to send a note of congratulations after he failed to send even the lowest level representative of his administration to the ceremonies of the ANNIVERSARY OF THE REUNIFICATION OF JERUSALEM what did this tell the world concerning the sanctity of Jerusalem and the fight for it’s freedom celebrated in the anniversary by the Reunification? What message did this give from a supposed ‘best friend’ other then the obvious,
I can not say Bush was Antisemitic except to say Antisemitism is the longest running hate against one people ever in the history of our world. Why is this the longest running hate on earth? Because for what every reason, it is innate. Some people wear it while some people by their actions prove it. Think about it, the west
claim Israel must be secure at all costs while at the same time propping up a people whose ultimate aim is to throw Israel to the sea. Go figure! The seed of such behavior is innate no matter if we admit it or not. If not innate, the Kurds would have statehood for sure. While at the same time the so-called Palestinians would have gone begging not dripping in white paint which they wear like fine garments costing billions bequeathed upon them by those who surely knew better. (while their security forces the ones in the goody goody, peace loving West Bank ruled over by a MAN OF PEACE once a denier of the Shoah, march to the Nazi Goosestep and were trained by the U.S signed off by the Bush Administration.)
rongrand stated:
This happens for the most part because of PETTY partisan politics. When a best friend pretty much turned against Israel there was silence for the most part. Now I don’t mean everyone was quiet but the majority was because
THEIR PERSON WAS IN OFFICE!
To this day across the board with just a few exceptions there is little if any discussion on that topic except EXTREME anger against those who perpetrate the discussion.
Actually, there have been some prominent Jewish democrats who have voiced concern about Obama ditto the same when Bush was in office but surely not enough to use their influence on the oval office to enact a change of course. For those who professed love for Israel when Bush was in office for the most part choose Bush over Israel for there was no way they were going to humiliate him on taking back major promises to Israel. Haughtiness and partisanship is like quicksand and so where does that get anyone?
When Bush campaigned for office the myth took rise by his mouth and his king makers that he, Bush was the best friend of Israel. During those years and especially post 9-11 all I heard was how he was the best friend to Israel by prominent Jewish Republicans and the usual conservative print media and conservative organizations which also claimed great support for Israel.
Indeed Obama is an Antisemite. I did not vote for him and had no illusions on his friendship. Having said that, he never in any real way promised friendship. Bush and his handlers and my friends did. How can we expect any different now from a person we didn’t trust or count on to begin with?
A dear historian friend once reminded me, “to really see history for what it is (without false embellishment or emotion) one must be willing to see all of history with a mirror to ones face standing naked.” (metaphor meaning with eyes wide open and no partisan garments on our bodies.)
No matter how awful Obama is it would not hurt to read the speeches and his promises of Bush once more concerning Israel. It would not hurt to read his speech in Egypt with Mubarak. You might be shocked to hear what Bush and Mubarak as though one person wrote both speeches. Both speeches by the way, humiliating Israel and falsely propping up the Palestinians. But then, Bush claimed Egypt was a good friend of the U.S and ally in the ‘war on terror’ at the same time Mubarak was allowing thousands of weapons tunnels dug from his soil which brought death to innocent Jews. That speech I speak of was not much different then the speech by Obama on his trip to the ME.
You do not have look much farther to see ZOA the most conservative Zionist organization in America was on the back of Bush over and over again as they are on the back of Obama with great regularity I must say. Yes, but to see it and hear it, you have to want to. Did those in the hierarchy of the Republican party care. NO!! For the most part the words of ZOA went on deaf ears. Ditto for the Democrats.
Furthermore, the inferences
took birth in the Bush administration. Sadly, who in greatness and high power who professed to be friends of Israel, Jews and otherwise stopped him? Therein lies the rub, wouldn’t you say?
To one extent or another we travel in circles because of pre-conceived views which form not only our thoughts but our agendas which work both for the good and also those which have dangerous and regrettable consequences. Many of the near cataclysmic results of which we have to suffer through today happened long before Obama took office.
Kushner, it seems took Riedel’s words out of context. She also fails to provide the source of her statement about what Reidel said, before making her case against it.
The source of this talk she refers to is a Conference called Eighteen Months and Beyond: Implications of U.S. Policy in Afghanistan: http://www.mepc.org/node/703?transcript
The main discussion was about Al Qaeda, Pakistan and Afganistan.
The words Kushner seized upon appear in the latter part of this conference transcript where Reidel is responding to a question, though I am not clear on exactly what the question was:
In skimming this lengthy text of the conference, I did not find Reidel’s words that Kushner purports to quote:
I also did not find her reference to Anderson’s words.
As to the point Reidel makes in the text I quoted above, it is a small incidental point to the main theme of the entire conference. 2ndly, those anti-Western Middle East Muslims, be they al Qaeda or other groups or street mobs that gather to denounce the U.S., it is true that they continue to raise America’s support of Israel as one of the issues that enrages them.
We have seen that Muslim radicals don’t need much of a pretext to rail against the U.S. and it doesn’t matter whether the pretext they seize on, is true or not. The fact is that it is one of the pretexts that enrages Muslims and it is obvious Al Qaeda uses that to recruit and gain popularity and justify some of their attacks.
I doubt Al Qaeda cares about the Palestinians at all, just as the recent Wikileaks revelations would indicate that the Gulf OPEC states and other Mid East states don’t care about the Palestinians and only care that their regional hegemony is threatened by Iran and thus their own security and leadership are at risk.
So long as the unresolved Israel-Palestinian conflict is being used as a pretext by al Qaeda and other radical Muslim groups to successfully gain adherents to its cause and to get some of their adherents to attack Americans and their interests, the unresolved Israel-Palestinian conflict does pose a problem for American national security interests.
If somewhere Reidel said that American troops are dying because of the unresolved Israel-Palestinian conflict, obviously that is beyond the pale. Still, it would have been helpful if Kushner had provided the full context of Reidel’s words and the linked source for her polemic.
Yamit (Uncle), she is right on.
I agree, a majority of Americans support Israel in spite of the Administrations treatment of Israel.
I know I beat a dead horse but, there must be enough Jewish organizations in the US, close to the administration who recognize what the administration’s policies are towards Israel and fail to engage them on it.
There should be an outrage by the various Jewish organizations, one that will gain the support of all Americans, putting pressure on their elected members in the house and senate to call out the administration on this unwarranted and disgusting treatment of our only true, trusted friend and ally in the ME.
If the US was confronted with a serious world problem do you think for one moment any of the Arab countries would come to their aid?
Forget it, they would distance themselves.
You can bet your boots Israel would be there to help, no questions asked.
Beneath it all anti-Semitism is alive and well in the US administration, top to bottom.
That’s a blood libel.
How America treats its allies?
By Caroline B. Glick
And nobody thought to ask the simple question: “Could you be more specific?” All these lawyers or ex-lawyers in government, and nobody had the intelligence (or guts) to ask that question and demand a logical and specific answer?
Of course by making that statement, this fellow fully justified every arab terrorist attack on US troops in the Middle East (as well as the 9/11 attacks, implicitly) including the horrific attack on the US barracks in Beirut many years ago.
Blood libel indeed.
I agree. It’s pretty obvious that bin Laden wanted to spearhead a revolution against the Saudi government and he felt the US was propping up the Saudi government. And that he jumped on the anti-Israel bandwagon for the same reason as every other Arab thug: As an easy and effective way of increasing his support in the Arab world.
Anyway, I have debated this issue online and what I ask people is this: If Israel is so important to bin Laden, then what was he doing in Afghanistan during the 1980s? He could have easily gone to Lebanon instead.
The CIA’s had a “Jewish” and “Israel” problem for a long time.
Look at the Ciralsky case. The best friend Israel (and Jews) had in the CIA, James Angleton, is long gone.