AIPAC: Lobbies What It Stands For

 Nadene Goldfoot                                         

Anthony Blinken,Sec. of State and Michael Tuchin, with Blinken speaking to the group June 5, 2023.  

AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) is a pro-Israel lobbying group that engages with the Jewish community on issues related to Israel's security and the U.S.-Israel relationship.

 It supports policies strengthening the alliance, opposes boycotts against Israel, and advocates for a strong U.S. role in promoting peace through bilateral relations. 

While historically a central political expression of the organized Jewish community, some members of the community have become critical of AIPAC's increasingly right-wing political stances (with Republicans) and its alignment with some groups deemed dangerous to Jews. 

It seems that every group has its competitor, and for AIPAC it's been 

J Street.  J Street is often cited as the primary competitor to AIPAC, though other groups like the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) and various progressive organizations also act as competitors or counterweights. 

J Street: An alternative to AIPAC that advocates for a two-state solution and is critical of some Israeli policies, like settlement expansion. It has a different stance on issues like the Iran nuclear deal, supporting it while AIPAC opposed it.  In fact, I have seen it go against Israel 90% of the time.  I also have been many Americans go along with J Street, even many rabbis.  

J Street is a liberal, pro-Israel lobbying group founded in 2007 by Jeremy Ben-Ami and Daniel Levy. It was created to advocate for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to act as an alternative to more conservative pro-Israel groups. The organization supports diplomatic solutions, opposes Israeli settlements and the occupation, and provides support for candidates who align with its views, probably like Marjorie Taylor Greene.   

J Street is seen "by some" as a progressive alternative that supports a two-state solution, while AIPAC is a more traditional, hawkish organization that has historically supported right-wing policies. There have been times when I as an AIPAC person have wondered how J Street could believe in their demands since they went against Israel so many times.  They were more than competitors, but were Israel's antagonist.

• Justice Democrats, Working Families Party, Sunrise Movement, and Jewish Voice for Peace, have formed coalitions to counter AIPAC's electoral influence.
• Other pro-Israel organizations: Groups like the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA), the American Jewish Congress, and the American Jewish Committee also engage in the "Israel lobby," advocating for policies that can differ from or align with AIPAC's positions, and remember, AIPAC backs Israel's position and explains why.  
• Christian Zionists: This group is also part of the broader Israel lobby and may have different perspectives than AIPAC on specific issues.  Christian Zionists are Christians who believe the modern state of Israel has a theological and biblical basis, and they support its existence and the Zionist movement. They are often motivated by an interpretation of biblical prophecy that links the restoration of the Jewish people to Israel with the second coming of Jesus Christ. This belief often translates into political and social support for Israel, including financial aid, and a stance that is critical of policies that could be seen as weakening Israel. 
  
             PM Ehud Olmert speaking to AIPAC on June 4, 2008.

AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, was founded in 1954 by Isaiah L. Kenen to lobby for pro-Israel policies in the U.S.. It evolved from the American Zionist Council (AZC) and became a powerful bipartisan organization by the 1980s, concentrating its efforts on influencing Congress through donations, lobbying, and political action. 

Over time, its activities have included advocating for U.S. military aid to Israel, influencing policy on issues like the Iran nuclear deal and the recognition of Jerusalem, and using its political action committee (PAC) to support and defeat candidates. It's part in all this has been informative. 

The United States allows people to lobby for an issue, and this right is protected by the First Amendment's guarantee to "petition the Government for a redress of grievances". While lobbying is permitted, it is subject to regulations like the Lobbying Disclosure Act, which requires professional lobbyists and certain organizations to register and disclose their activities to ensure transparency and prevent corruption. 

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Palestinians Farthest Away From Peaceful Coexistence

Nadene Goldfoot                                                                  

If someone is going to move into the house next door to you, you hope they will be nice neighbors; mow their lawn, pick up toys, say Hi to you.  The same goes with Israel's potential new neighbor, a Palestine.  I find they are the worst possible candidates right now.  Can't the real-estate people find more suitable candidates?

Jibril Rajoub, deputy secretary general of Fatah's Central Committee, head of the Palestinian Olympic committee and former director of the Preventive security Force in the "West Bank" (Judea and Samaria), said just recently on May 1st that for Fatah, resistance to Israel in all forms remains on our agenda.  They like it because it is effective and costly for Israel.  He means violence against Israel.  Popular resistance refers to protests that flare up since the 2nd intifada.

This man was in jail in Israel for 17 years for throwing a hand-grenade at an army bus.  He was part of Arafat's team and was the national security adviser.  He's also serving on a committee for a 2 state solution and starred in an advertising campaign advocating settlement to the conflict.  He calls out that he's Israel's partner.  Evidently he says on the ad that there is consensus in the Arab world to recognize the existence of Israel in return for an end to occupation.  Well, duh!  But he's two-faced.

Rajoub was interviewed again last week and let it be known that he calls on Arabs to take part in "the liberation of Jerusalem."  In other words, they intend to make Jerusalem part of Palestine.   He didn't even mention "East' Jerusalem.  It was "Jerusalem."   He's angry with other Arab states for not giving enough money to financially aid the PA.  He wants Arabs to help liberate Jerusalem with money and whatever else it takes, like mobilization.  He wants swords drawn in the face of the Zionist enemy and that would be great, he said.

Palestinian Media Watch quoted him saying that if they had nuclear weapons, "we'd use them" against Israel immediately. "   Then he bemoans and groans with "Believe me, our sick are dying in the hospitals...and the only countries with money to come through with Arab League decisions are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Algeria."   Sick or injured have been taken to Ashkelon's hospital in Israel.  They're well treated there. Usually it's because their leaders station their rocket launchers among the population.  Israel pulled out of Gaza for peace, but got a big surprise.  It's the launching pad for Palestinians to hit Israelis.  Do they ever plot and scheme to get even closer and take over!.  It's pretty obvious listening to Rajoub.

Palestinians haven't agreed on anything between themselves and aren't self sufficient. Fatah was called the moderate.  This is moderate?  Well, Hamas continues to rain down mortars, missiles and rockets on southern Israel and now Fatah will nuke us.  Their leaders have created a population not capable of doing anything but hate.   They depend on handouts.  They are still dreaming of killing off Israelis.  No indeed.  I wouldn't want them as neighbors.

Then we have google who jumped the gun and has them  listed as a full blown state which hasn't happened yet and may never at this rate of hypocrisy.

Jerusalem is not mentioned once in the Koran.  Palestinians want it because of its historic value to Jews.  What we have created, they covet.  No wonder coveting was listed in the 10 Commandments as a no-no.

Resource:  http://www.timesofisrael.com/top-pa-official-israel-is-our-main-enemy-resistance-is-still-our-agenda/