U.S. Blatant Anti-Israel Policy is Unconscionable

 

More than likely you remember the evidence against the IRS for targeting US conservative groups that were applying for 501 (c) (3) status. To date, no actions have been taken against the organization as they stonewall inquiries for documentation.

You may not be aware, however, that the IRS was also targeting pro-Israel groups. An op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journal yesterday described how the pro-Israel group Z Street learned that its 2009 application was being held up due to a “special screening” for groups connected to Israel. In 2010 Z Street sued the IRS for discrimination. The article further explained:

The IRS has maintained that Z Street’s application was flagged because the group might be working with organizations inside Israel. IRS Exempt Organizations Determinations Group manager Jon Waddell denied that there was an Israel special policy and said in a December 2010 sworn declaration in federal court in Pennsylvania that flagging Z Street was “appropriate” because “Israel is one of many Middle Eastern countries that have a ‘higher risk of terrorism.’”

You read that correctly. Of course, Israel was and is the victim of terrorism, not the perpetrator.

When you put this story in context, the U.S. over the last several years has had an ongoing strategy of embarrassing, denigrating and pressuring Israel to acquiesce to U.S. demands. Some of the more egregious demands include, but are not limited to, the following, as described by Ben Shapiro on Breitbart:

May 2009: Obama tells Netanyahu that “settlements have to be stopped in order for us to move forward.” Netanyahu announces a settlement freeze to comply. The Palestinians refuse to negotiate. Obama then slams Israel: “they still found it very hard to move with any bold gestures.”

March 2010: Obama follows up on his threatening language about settlements by deploying Vice President Joe Biden to Israel, where Biden rips into the Israelis for building bathrooms in Jerusalem, the eternal Jewish capital. Hillary Clinton then yells at Netanyahu for nearly an hour on the phone, telling him he had “harmed the bilateral relationship.” David Axelrod calls the building plans an “insult” to the United States. When Netanyahu visits the White House a week and a half later, Obama makes him leave via a side door.

May 2011: The State Department labeled Jerusalem not a part of Israel. The same month, Obama demanded that Israel make concessions to the Palestinians based on the pre-1967 borders, which Israelis call the “Auschwitz borders” thanks to their indefensibility.

March 2013: Obama forces Netanyahu to call Islamist Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan to apologize for Israel’s actions to stop a terrorist-arming flotilla from entering the Gaza Strip to aid Hamas. Erdogan had recently labeled Zionism racism.

June 2014: Three Jewish teenagers are kidnapped, including an American, and murdered by Hamas. The Obama administration immediately calls on Israel for restraint, and says it will continue to work with a Palestinian unity government including Hamas. State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki says that the Obama administration wants “the Israelis and the Palestinians continue to work with one another on that, and we certainly would continue to urge that… in spite of, obviously, the tragedy and the enormous pain on the ground.” Throughout the ensuing Gaza War, in which Hamas fired rockets at Israeli civilians and tunnels were uncovered demonstrating Hamas’ intent to kidnap Israeli children, the Obama administration criticized Israel’s prosecution of the war.

January 2015: Obama deploys his campaign team to defeat Netanyahu in Israel. A group titled “One Voice,” funded by American donors, pays for the Obama campaign team, led by Obama 2012 field director Jeremy Bird. The announcement comes days after Speaker of the House John Boehner’s invite to Netanyahu to speak before a joint session of Congress. Obama quickly announced he would not meet with Netanyahu, making the excuse that the meeting would come too close to the election.

March 2015: Netanyahu wins. Obama refuses to call him to congratulate him for two days. When he does, he threatens to remove American support in the international community, even as he moves to loosen sanctions and weapons embargoes on Iran.

And let’s not forget the Iran deal and its inherent dangers to Israel.

Some may say that these policies are only “anti-Israel,” not anti-Semitic. But there is no other nation in the world that the U.S. and United Nations openly and aggressively criticize for human rights violations and continuous military strife. Only Israel warrants that unique attention.

Let’s hope that the current suit by Z Street is prosecuted before Obama completes his term. I have serious doubts whether either candidate as President is capable of turning this dangerous and destructive policy around.

 

Published in Foreign Policy
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  1. cdor Member
    cdor
    @cdor

    Susan Quinn:

    cdor: Absolutely, any chance to denigrate Trump, even out of whole cloth, a complete fabrication, well by all means, have at it.

    By the way, Axe has been one of the most balanced commenters on Trump. Just because people are worried about what Trump would do with Israel doesn’t make them Trump haters.

    cdor: But, OTH, I gotta say, you are no worse than the American Jews themselves. They will support the left until every last Jew is exterminated.

    Even I would not say this about the Jews on the left. You do know I’m a Jew, right?

    As am I, Ms Quinn.

    So you just put forth an impressive list of anti-Israel actions perpetrated by Obama, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, and it wouldn’t take long to put Kerry on that list. I won’t bother Googling…just let me guess. In Obama’s first election what percentage Jewish vote did he get? I’ll guess 78%. In his second election, I’ll guess 70%. How far off am I? Aside from Arabs, where do you think anti -semitism is the greatest? Is it on the left, the right, amongst Christians, American Negros, Hispanics, Orientals? I guess from the left and American Negros.

    As far as Axe is concerned, he can speak just fine for himself, I am certain. But didn’t you mention Hillary’s negative actions in your own post? Has Trump ever said he wouldn’t support Israel 100%?

    • #31
  2. Eugene Kriegsmann Member
    Eugene Kriegsmann
    @EugeneKriegsmann

    TKC1101: But, proceed, tell me he is an anti-Semite.

    Trump was never an anti-Semite. Unfortunately, some of his rhetoric does appeal to that unfortunate group. What Trump hasn’t done is to disavow their support. As I have said elsewhere, all Trump cares about is that he is loved, no matter who the donor is. Trump is not immoral, simply amoral. He has no ideology, no philosophy as such. He is simply a very large, needy ego. Give him your love and he will glow in it, like a Halloween pumpkin. Hillary is more likely to be pro-Israel because, other than Soros, most are likely pro-Israel. On that one issue, I suspect that neither candidate is sterling, nor is either lead.

    • #32
  3. TKC1101 Member
    TKC1101
    @

    Podkayne of Israel:


    I don’t think anyone here is calling Trump an antisemite. Some of his followers are pretty blatant, though, and he spends a lot less effort slapping them down than he does the rest of his fellow conservatives.

    So let me understand, the Alt-Right is anti semitic, so they must support Iran  and Muslim Supremicists. So they support Trump because of his positions on muslims.

    Right, got it.

    Reagan summed it up- “they are voting for me, I am not voting for them’. This call for denunciation of all followers at all times sounds like the Red Guard and the Cultural revolution.

    Bob Heinlein would not agree.

    • #33
  4. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    cdor: As far as Axe is concerned, he can speak just fine for himself, I am certain. But didn’t you mention Hillary’s negative actions in your own post? Has Trump ever said he wouldn’t support Israel 100%?

    No, cdor. He hasn’t. None of us know, however, based on his unpredictable behavior, what he will do once he’s in office. I don’t want to debate this with you. I appreciate your passion but I think you are trying to convince me of something and the more you push, the less successful you will be. It doesn’t work for me.

    • #34
  5. Eugene Kriegsmann Member
    Eugene Kriegsmann
    @EugeneKriegsmann

    One Further thought, I worked under a principal for almost 8 years who was a white Obama in terms of his leadership style. None of his vice principals could make a move without checking in with him first. He micromanaged everyone, specifically chose and hired people who then owed him the debt of obedience, mostly younger, not fully formed adults. I suspect that Obama’s administration is run exactly the same way. Once the more mature members are cut loose from that they are likely to express very different ideas. I don’t believe that Hillary has any great love for Obama or his policies. She is far too pragmatic for that. She has just played the good little soldier so that when her turn comes to be general, he won’t stand in her way. (Disclaimer: I am in no way expressing any positive thoughts about Hillary. I dispise her.  However, I don’t believe that Hillary will follow in Obama’s footsteps. She has her own agenda, perhaps as bad, but different.)

    • #35
  6. cdor Member
    cdor
    @cdor

    Susan Quinn:

    cdor: As far as Axe is concerned, he can speak just fine for himself, I am certain. But didn’t you mention Hillary’s negative actions in your own post? Has Trump ever said he wouldn’t support Israel 100%?

    No, cdor. He hasn’t. None of us know, however, based on his unpredictable behavior, what he will do once he’s in office. I don’t want to debate this with you. I appreciate your passion but I think you are trying to convince me of something and the more you push, the less successful you will be. It doesn’t work for me.

    That’s pretty funny, Susan. OK I sure don’t want to upset you.

    • #36
  7. cdor Member
    cdor
    @cdor

    Eugene Kriegsmann:One Further thought, I worked under a principal for almost 8 years who was a white Obama in terms of his leadership style. None of his vice principals could make a move without checking in with him first. He micromanaged everyone, specifically chose and hired people who then owed him the debt of obedience, mostly younger, not fully formed adults. I suspect that Obama’s administration is run exactly the same way. Once the more mature members are cut loose from that they are likely to express very different ideas. I don’t believe that Hillary has any great love for Obama or his policies. She is far too pragmatic for that. She has just played the good little soldier so that when her turn comes to be general, he won’t stand in her way. (Disclaimer: I am in no way expressing any positive thoughts about Hillary. I dispise her. However, I don’t believe that Hillary will follow in Obama’s footsteps. She has her own agenda, perhaps as bad, but different.)

    Hillary is her own person, that’s for sure. She goes wherever the money is. Like the 25 million or so Arab money given to the Clinton Foundation. No strings attached, right?

    • #37
  8. RightAngles Member
    RightAngles
    @RightAngles

    Eugene Kriegsmann:One Further thought, I worked under a principal for almost 8 years who was a white Obama in terms of his leadership style. None of his vice principals could make a move without checking in with him first. He micromanaged everyone, specifically chose and hired people who then owed him the debt of obedience, mostly younger, not fully formed adults. I suspect that Obama’s administration is run exactly the same way.

    Hah! You’re not kiddin’, Sometimes I think the country is being run by a bunch of Poli Sci majors named Jenn and Josh.

    • #38
  9. Podkayne of Israel Inactive
    Podkayne of Israel
    @PodkayneofIsrael

    TKC1101:

    Podkayne of Israel:


    I don’t think anyone here is calling Trump an antisemite. Some of his followers are pretty blatant, though, and he spends a lot less effort slapping them down than he does the rest of his fellow conservatives.

    So let me understand, the Alt-Right is anti semitic, so they must support Iran and Muslim Supremicists. So they support Trump because of his positions on muslims.

    Right, got it.

    Reagan summed it up- “they are voting for me, I am not voting for them’. This call for denunciation of all followers at all times sounds like the Red Guard and the Cultural revolution.

    Bob Heinlein would not agree.

    “Got it.”

    What benefit is there in making other people’s opinions into a caricature? I suppose they are easier to dismiss that way, but the approach fails to edify.

    • #39
  10. Eugene Kriegsmann Member
    Eugene Kriegsmann
    @EugeneKriegsmann

    cdor: Hillary is her own person, that’s for sure. She goes wherever the money is. Like the 25 million or so Arab money given to the Clinton Foundation. No strings attached, right?

    IF you think Trump’s claims that he doesn’t have to take money from anyone insures that he will remain pro_Israel, you are deluding yourself. Trump’s, thus far, unproven “billions” guarantee nothing. If the Saudi king shows him the same “admiration” as his friend, Putin, Trump will play nice doggy for him the same way he does for Putin. You can’t win this argument because Trump and Hillary are equally awful and equally unpredictable when it comes to the Middle East.

    • #40
  11. Severely Ltd. Inactive
    Severely Ltd.
    @SeverelyLtd

    Man With the Axe:I’m not sure what either candidate will do.

    Hillary might continue Obama’s policies, but she might not, once freed from the yoke of his authority. She might go back to Bill Clinton’s attitudes and policies.

    Trump has voiced support for Israel, but as he continually denigrates allies who don’t pay their way, such as the NATO countries and most recently Japan, maybe he would question why we pay so much for Israel?

    “Maybe Israel should pay for their own defense,” I can imagine him saying at one of his rallies.

    Maybe curb your imagination in light of the fact that he has indeed announced that he supports Israel. You’re not sure what either candidate will do? Spare me a recitation of the things you don’t know.

    • #41
  12. cdor Member
    cdor
    @cdor

    Eugene Kriegsmann:

    cdor: Hillary is her own person, that’s for sure. She goes wherever the money is. Like the 25 million or so Arab money given to the Clinton Foundation. No strings attached, right?

    IF you think Trump’s claims that he doesn’t have to take money from anyone insures that he will remain pro_Israel, you are deluding yourself. Trump’s, thus far, unproven “billions” guarantee nothing. If the Saudi king shows him the same “admiration” as his friend, Putin, Trump will play nice doggy for him the same way he does for Putin. You can’t win this argument because Trump and Hillary are equally awful and equally unpredictable when it comes to the Middle East.

    What is this argument that I can’t win? The fact of Clinton Foundation “contributions” or the suppositions that Trump will play “nice doggy” as to Arab imagined compliments not yet given but assumed by you to be coming?

    • #42
  13. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Does this post have to be hijacked into another pro-Trump/Never Trump/Hillary/Never Hillary playground? Really?

    • #43
  14. Eugene Kriegsmann Member
    Eugene Kriegsmann
    @EugeneKriegsmann

    Severely Ltd.: Maybe curb your imagination in light of the fact that he has indeed announced that he supports Israel. You’re not sure what either candidate will do? Spare me a recitation of the things you don’t know.

    Excuse me! Hillary has also stated her support for Israel. Unfortunately, neither of them can be trusted as far as they can be thrown. So save your pronouncements for someone less well-read and aware.

    Sorry Susan for rhe diversion. I am done.

    • #44
  15. TKC1101 Member
    TKC1101
    @

    Podkayne of Israel: What benefit is there in making other people’s opinions into a caricature? I suppose they are easier to dismiss that way, but the approach fails to edify.

    If taking your argument and extrapolating the inconsistencies that evolve is ‘caricature’ in your mind, then I cannot help you.

    I will withdraw the phrase “Got It”, since you singled that out. It assumed a verbal conversationality that you seem not to care for.

    The problem with denunciation is there is no end to them, which is why the Progressives and their Media shock troops use it against the GOP.  You may notice Progressives cannot bring themselves to denounce people who support them who assassinate police officers, as they know winning at politics is a game of addition, not subtraction.

    • #45
  16. cdor Member
    cdor
    @cdor

    Susan Quinn:Does this post have to be hijacked into another pro-Trump/Never Trump/Hillary/Never Hillary playground? Really?

    By all means, Susan, it’s your post, get us back on track. Axeman brought up Trump and you chimed in on that after I objected, remember? So let’s start over. Please, you first.

    • #46
  17. CB Toder aka Mama Toad Member
    CB Toder aka Mama Toad
    @CBToderakaMamaToad

    Severely Ltd.: Maybe curb your imagination in light of the fact that he has indeed announced that he supports Israel.

    Indeed. Perhaps some folks here who seem to be talking without knowledge may find interest in this article from the Jerusalem Post, or reading the transcript or watching the speech Mr. Trump gave to AIPAC in March, in which he announces his support for moving the American Embassy to Jerusalem, the “eternal capital of Israel.”

    Mr. Trump was so pro-Israel that AIPAC apologized, if you can believe it, for Mr. Trump having possibly been rude to the president, when he said “With President Obama in his final year — yay!” (about 10:07 in), which got people laughing, applauding, and cheering wildly.

    • #47
  18. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    What might Clinton do with a weaponized IRS? I don’t want to find out.

    • #48
  19. MarciN Member
    MarciN
    @MarciN

    Susan Quinn: Especially when he had the nerve to criticize Netanyahu for trying to influence Congress when he came over to speak at the invitation of Boehner. What nerve!!

    Just in case anyone is waxing nostalgic for Netanyahu’s speech to Congress, I posted it here.  One of the greatest leaders of my lifetime.

    He and Mitt Romney were good friends. They met while they went to school at the same time in Boston and have been good friends ever since.

    • #49
  20. GreenCarder Inactive
    GreenCarder
    @GreenCarder

    And yet the Jewish vote continues to be rock solid for Democrats.  In the 2012 election – by which time many of the events catalogued here had occurred, and the underlying attitude that inspired them was quite plain – Jewish voters nonetheless went for Obama over Romney by 69 points to 30.

    Kind of amazing.

    • #50
  21. cdor Member
    cdor
    @cdor

    MarciN:

    Susan Quinn: Especially when he had the nerve to criticize Netanyahu for trying to influence Congress when he came over to speak at the invitation of Boehner. What nerve!!

    Just in case anyone is waxing nostalgic for Netanyahu’s speech to Congress, I posted it here. One of the greatest leaders of my lifetime.

    He and Mitt Romney were good friends. They met while they went to school at the same in Boston and have been good friends ever since.

    Yes indeed, Netanyahu is a great leader. Too bad, as Susan has shown so well, he has had to suffer diminution from such a petty man as Obama…a lightweight in every way to Netanyahu.

    • #51
  22. Scott Wilmot Member
    Scott Wilmot
    @ScottWilmot

    Susan Quinn: You may not be aware, however, that the IRS was also targeting pro-Israel groups.

    I wasn’t aware. Thank you so much for making me aware. Good job.

    Susan Quinn: Some may say that these policies are only “anti-Israel,” not anti-Semitic. But there is no other nation in the world that the U.S. and United Nations openly and aggressively criticize for human rights violations and continuous military strife. Only Israel warrants that unique attention.

    Yes. This is just incredible. It is just unfathomable. As a Catholic I have the utmost respect for my Jewish brothers and sisters. May God continue to bless you and the country of Israel. As one of my heroes, Fr. Richard John Neuhaus said of the struggle for the pro-life movement: we will not weary, we will not rest. The same must be said for the support of Israel and her people.

    • #52
  23. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    cdor: By all means, Susan, it’s your post, get us back on track. Axeman brought up Trump and you chimed in on that after I objected, remember? So let’s start over. Please, you first.

    Thanks, cdor. Seriously. Since we have no way of predicting how either candidate will act once they are elected, I’d like to know people’s suggestions for the next president that would help to re-build the relationship with Israel? I have to give that some thought myself!

    • #53
  24. Goldgeller Member
    Goldgeller
    @Goldgeller

    Susan Quinn:

    cdor: By all means, Susan, it’s your post, get us back on track. Axeman brought up Trump and you chimed in on that after I objected, remember? So let’s start over. Please, you first.

    Thanks, cdor. Seriously. Since we have no way of predicting how either candidate will act once they are elected, I’d like to know people’s suggestions for the next president that would help to re-build the relationship with Israel? I have to give that some thought myself!

    The issue really isn’t rebuilding the relationship with Israel. I think they understand our politics, and hopefully the outsized influence the President has over foreign policy. I’m sure they will be willing to start fresh with a new president.

    I think though, to really move policy forward, the next president will need to understand how to work in a far more “active” middle east. Russia, Iran, and Syria, and to some extent, Turkey, are all working on limiting US involvement in the ME. I think some of Obama’s FP was based around inviting other powers into the region to limit our involvement in it. And that is happening. So to be a credible ally to Israel, and to speak credibly about FP, I think the next Pres or their appointees need to understand this new(er) dynamic.

    • #54
  25. Man With the Axe Inactive
    Man With the Axe
    @ManWiththeAxe

    DocJay:One candidate will actively continue it and the Israelis know it. …

    I have no clue what tanning booth man will do.

    That was the first instance on this thread (comment #1) of someone saying he doesn’t know what Trump will do regarding Israel, but he’s certain Hillary will continue Obama’s policy. That’s how I understood this comment, anyway.

    It’s a fair comment, and could turn out be totally correct. Of course we don’t really know what Hillary will do on Israel, only what she has previously said and done. There is this from Haaretz:

    Of all of the presidential candidates, from both parties, who cluttered this primary season until recently, Clinton had the longest public record of engagement with Israel, and has spent decades diligently defending the Jewish state.

    Trump also has made statements of support for Israel. I have no reason to doubt he meant those statements.

    But my comment #13, while mentioning Trump’s statements of support for Israel, also pointed out that Trump has a troubling practice of challenging some of our closest allies, such as Japan and the NATO countries, for not paying their own way for their defense. The US gives Israel billions for its defense every year. Is it outrageous to imagine that Trump might notice this at some point and ask if this is a practice we should continue?

    That’s all I said in comment #13.

    • #55
  26. Man With the Axe Inactive
    Man With the Axe
    @ManWiththeAxe

    Severely Ltd.: Spare me a recitation of the things you don’t know.

    No can do.

    • #56
  27. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    GreenCarder:And yet the Jewish vote continues to be rock solid for Democrats. In the 2012 election – by which time many of the events catalogued here had occurred, and the underlying attitude that inspired them was quite plain – Jewish voters nonetheless went for Obama over Romney by 69 points to 30.

    Kind of amazing.

    Actually, Greencarder, it’s been that way for a very long time. The Dems supposedly championed the underdog, which matched the Jews aspiration for helping the poor and needy. Unfortunately, that reputation of the Left hasn’t been true for a long time, and the Jews on the left have bought into the downtrodden Palestinians, too. Some people believe that maintaining their ideals is more important than the truth.

    • #57
  28. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Goldgeller:The issue really isn’t rebuilding the relationship with Israel. I think they understand our politics, and hopefully the outsized influence the President has over foreign policy. I’m sure they will be willing to start fresh with a new president.

    I think though, to really move policy forward, the next president will need to understand how to work in a far more “active” middle east. Russia, Iran, and Syria, and to some extent, Turkey, are all working on limiting US involvement in the ME. I think some of Obama’s FP was based around inviting other powers into the region to limit our involvement in it. And that is happening. So to be a credible ally to Israel, and to speak credibly about FP, I think the next Pres or their appointees need to understand this new(er) dynamic.

    Very perceptive, Gold. Stepping back and looking at the larger picture would be key!

    • #58
  29. Marion Evans Inactive
    Marion Evans
    @MarionEvans

    US policy under several presidents, Republican and Democrat, has been that a two-state solution will be impossible if the settlements continue. The two-state solution may be impossible anyway but that’s been US policy for a while, not just with Obama.

    • #59
  30. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Marion Evans:US policy under several presidents, Republican and Democrat, has been that a two-state solution will be impossible if the settlements continue. The two-state solution may be impossible anyway but that’s been US policy for a while, not just with Obama.

    I used to believe in a two-state solution, but I’ve come to think it won’t work, and for more reasons than the settlements. Thanks for chiming in, Marion.

    • #60
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