And that statement is absolutely correct. I’m not into black soundless helicopters spying on Americans in the night but one way to explore why we went to war in Iraq is ask who pushed for it. I’ve always had a stinking suspicion that since Israeli support groups were very much behind that war so were the elites in Israel. We didn’t start that war because we needed to rather we went to war because the Israeli power structure which runs Washington wanted us to.

This has been around for a while, last year reaching critical mass, which I saw in the innumerable events I went to, including the huge Saudi conference.

I wouldn’t use the phrase “supporting Israel’s victimhood,” though some definitely are, but it is about rising frustrating with Netanyahu & the Israeli right for continuing to ghettoize Palestinians, especially economically. Few jobs are open to Arab Israelis, with the bus issue real for women who are fighting the orthodox. The Israeli right is making a huge mistake focusing so much energy on Iran only, which is their main issue, but their unwillingness not to meet Arabs on anything is a real problem, as is continuing to fight re: Goldstone. Progressive Israelis are fed up with it too.

Several things make me think this – stuff you would have never seen here in Albuquerque, NM several years ago include -

::> The first appearance at a Democratic event of our new Dem member of the US House after he was sworn in last year should have been a love fest but it actually got a little rough for him when he was challenged on his votes supporting Israel during the carnage in Gaza.

::> In Albuquerque, NM a billboard is up on Central (the old Route 66) paid for by the “Coalition to Stop the $30 Billion to Israel” asking why we send so much money to the Israeli military every year – you can see it here:
http://stop30billion.blogspot.com/2009/12/second-albuquerque-billboard-finally.html

::> People are protesting Israels occupation of Gaza most Saturday afternoons on Central near the University and I’ve run into several folks that wanted to talk to me about this mess (I’m a Dem Ward Chair). While our local Democratic Rep (Martin Heinrich – a member of the New Democratic Caucus by the way) has refused to meet with the protesters he is feeling the heat.

Frankly I expect this will work against him in the polls this fall. While everybody knows that most Republicans would be as bad on this issue as he is it may result in some folks just not voting for him. I know Taylor still believes that the Dems will “come home” in the end but when this is combined with other stuff (he’s gaining a label as a Corporate Democrat) I’m starting to wonder if our member of the House is hitting a point where that might not happen. It will be a close race this fall and in previous years the margin of victory has been less than a thousand votes so who knows what will happen – the blind support for Israel by the Democratic party may yet figure into the equation.

by PHILIP WEISS on FEBRUARY 2, 2010 · 21 COMMENTS

An important story that is not being covered in the American press: Haaretz covers the delegitimization story, Israel’s mounting isolation in the world community. This is called honest reporting (and truly distinguishes Israel). Aluf Benn:

In a speech at a conference not long ago, an Israeli diplomat serving in a European capital touted Israel’s hoary PR line, distinguishing between “the only democracy in the Middle East” and its autocratic Arab neighbors. “We share common values,” the Israeli told the Europeans.

To his surprise, a member of the audience stood up and replied to him: “What common values? We have nothing in common with you.”

The World Isn’t Buying Israel’s Explanations Anymore

Aluf Benn

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1145985.html

The “christians” [they are no christians] who support it are insane. The Israeli government that exploits them is criminal. The apathetic Jews who live in Israel but don’t want to know what’s happening are complicit in the crimes. And, all of them are destroying Israel’s democratic values, it’s cultural and religious standing in the world, and their people. But they’re taking the rest of us down with them.

http://mondoweiss.net/

heh-heh…

That was some column by Fisk, Ramsgate.