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Commentary :: Civil & Human Rights : International Relations : Middle East : Protest Activity : U.S. Government
THE LEFT'S ISRAEL LOBBY DENIAL As Exemplified by Stephen Zunes, U. of San Francisco
Author
- Stephen J. Sniegoski
Date Created
- 25 Jun 2006
Date Edited
- 25 Jun 2006 09:34:19 AM
License
This work is in the public domain.
Unlike the lies and omissions of the mainstream media, the Left, in general, is good at telling the truth about Israel's oppression of the Palestinians. But the Left's unwillingness to accept the Israel lobby's role, as one of the most significant obstacles to justice for the Palestinians, in shaping U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East helps to maintain that very policy. Certain Leftists (like Noam Chomsky or Stephen Zunes) actually function as Israel lobby APOLOGISTS and, in that sense, in effect, back door Zionists. It's okay for them to criticize Gentiles who organize (e.g., "Christian Zionists" or Gentiles in the ruling class) for their responsibility in perpetuating the oppression of the Palestinians, but to criticize Zionist Jews (including Jewish neocons) who organize for the same purpose is considered taboo, and for that even some Leftist authorities will label others as "anti-Semitic" – or (as Zunes alternately says) as “_thinking_ like an anti-Semite.” In the past, one used to be labeled “anti-Semitic” for criticizing the state of Israel at all; now, some still call others “anti-Semitic” for criticizing the Israel lobby. See the article:
.
Israel-lobby denial: The bankruptcy of the mainstream Left
as illustrated by Stephen Zunes
On the issue of the Israel lobby the Left is no more courageous than anyone else.
by Stephen J. Sniegoski
To encapsulate Zunes's position: Instead of influencing American policy, Israel is but the passive instrument of American policymakers. Washington has forced Israel to pursue a belligerent policy to enhance American hegemony in the Middle East for the benefit of corporate capitalists, especially arms merchants. Free of American control, Israel would pursue a peaceful policy toward the Palestinians and neighboring Arab states. Therefore, Israel [representing 'Zionist Jewish dupes who are weak and hapless victims of the Gentiles,' as Zunes would have you believe] is the victim of the United States.
Moreover, Zunes maintains, those who claim a significant role for Israel and the Israel lobby in determining U.S. foreign policy tend toward anti-Semitism. Thus does the left-wing critic of American policy morph into an apologist for Israel. Like Alan Dershowitz — in some respects worse than Dershowitz — Zunes makes use of misleading half-truths while simultaneously ignoring the unmistakable evidence substantiating the power of the Israel lobby in influencing U.S. policy.
Read more:
www.thornwalker.com/ditch/snieg_lobby_left.htm
.
Israel-lobby denial: The bankruptcy of the mainstream Left
as illustrated by Stephen Zunes
On the issue of the Israel lobby the Left is no more courageous than anyone else.
by Stephen J. Sniegoski
To encapsulate Zunes's position: Instead of influencing American policy, Israel is but the passive instrument of American policymakers. Washington has forced Israel to pursue a belligerent policy to enhance American hegemony in the Middle East for the benefit of corporate capitalists, especially arms merchants. Free of American control, Israel would pursue a peaceful policy toward the Palestinians and neighboring Arab states. Therefore, Israel [representing 'Zionist Jewish dupes who are weak and hapless victims of the Gentiles,' as Zunes would have you believe] is the victim of the United States.
Moreover, Zunes maintains, those who claim a significant role for Israel and the Israel lobby in determining U.S. foreign policy tend toward anti-Semitism. Thus does the left-wing critic of American policy morph into an apologist for Israel. Like Alan Dershowitz — in some respects worse than Dershowitz — Zunes makes use of misleading half-truths while simultaneously ignoring the unmistakable evidence substantiating the power of the Israel lobby in influencing U.S. policy.
Read more:
www.thornwalker.com/ditch/snieg_lobby_left.htm
.
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