The Gordian Knot of US-Middle East policy
Regional-USA, Analysis, 5/11/1998

Much fuss was made by some about recent remarks by U.S. first lady Hillary Clinton about the positive aspects of having a Palestinian state exist.

The so-called "friends of Israel" pounced on the first lady to describe her remarks as a "mistake", a "gaff", or say that "she did not mean it," and finally the official White House line tempered concerns by saying that her comments do not describe U.S. foreign policy.

What is remarkable about this event is not what she said, but the reaction that seemed coordinated (though it is not) by the "friends of Israel." The first lady, whether you agree with her views or not, is known for speaking her mind. Having done so about a humanitarian issue that has been so politicized that it aroused the ire of these "friends of Israel."

As soon as there is any issue that effects Israel directly or indirectly they break the surface of the grounds of Washington DC to opine and condemn, quickly and strongly, those who dare make statements that do not align with Israel's interests. These men and women will always find a reason for why Israel is right and fail to condemn when Israel is wrong, and are good at justifying almost every Israeli act. When they brave condemnations, they tend to preface their statements by "as a friend of Israel, I think", " I am a friend of Israel, but..." Wow, there is a "but" there! This person is actually mustering the courage to dissent! He or she is actually about to say something that may offend some of the "friends of Israel."

One is left wondering at the toll the positive and negative conditioning of the past years has taken on bravery in Washington, during the days when the Palestinians were the "terrorists" and advancement up the Washington mouthpiece ladder was conditioned on certain necessary but insufficient conditions, that called for following the standard line on Israel and its comprehensive policy concerns, which stretch worldwide.

The corruption of the Washington debate have so pervaded every aspect of U.S foreign policy that Democrat ex-congressman, Sam Gibbons, from Florida, then as head of the all-powerful house Ways And Means committee 93/94, during testimonial by U.S. business corporations on China's Most Favorite Status law, in the midst of the hearing, and with no prior reference by anyone to Israel said "the Jewish" lobby will not allow us to....

Now here we are, discussing U.S.-China policy, and out of pure frustration the head of the most powerful committee in congress makes those kind of statements. Now that is power! That is pull! That is control!

One is left wondering if this is an ideological phenomena. It clearly is not, and those "friends of Israel" will cross party lines and question all, but there is one thing they dare not question: Israel.

Of course there are the exceptions, but they are far and few in between. These individuals tend to have made it "despite" all the obstacles, and have usually suffered the arrows for their different opinion. Because of that, they tend to be knowledgeable about the system inside-out, sure footed and are not "scared easily."

As an example, months ago, on CNN's "Cross Fire" T.V. show on the U.S.-Iraq crisis, noted veteran journalist Robert Novak of the Chicago Sun-Times and CNN who hosts the show was questioning ex-congressman Stephen Solarz of N.Y. who was carrying a paper with many signatures of well-known policy individuals showing support to strike Iraq, among other related issues. After looking at the list of names, Mr. Solarz was asked by Journalist Novak about what is in common with all these names (referring to the signers), ex-congressman Solarz replied "friends of Israel?", continuing "I resent that!"

Novak had not said a word about Israel or its friends before the question! But the game is well understood by some and its corrupting effects on an honest discussion of U.S. foreign policy. Veterans like Novak had to "fight" their way to mass acceptance when having espoused different views, and there are few like him that can take on "sensitive" subjects and call them as they see them on this subject without being apologetic.

President Bush during a conflict with Israel regarding conditioning 10 billion dollars of U.S. aid to Jewish settlements in Israel had to fight back by saying at the steps of the White House "I am one small man" referring to his fight with the opposition (friends of Israel) to his position. That was the president of the United States talking! But why would this happen in the U.S.?

This is not about First Lady Clinton, or Journalist Robert Novak, or President Bush or others who dare to speak their mind. This is about the need to unravel this "Gordian Knot" that is corrupting U.S. foreign policy at a fundamental level, that insists that U.S. foreign policy decisions go through Israel's filter first, rather than that of the U.S.

What we have now is an atrophy of good debate about U.S. foreign policy, that tends to be dominated in the Washington policy-making community by certain groups that are not ideological, but driven by single issue subjects, and will use any ideology or any group to that effect. The success of these "friends of Israel" has been so remarkable and so pervasive into every aspect of policy-making and public opinion making machinery that it is taken for granted that they can carry any issue they favor to success and wrath (in career progress and other aspects) shall befall those who disagree, even on to the President of the U.S! The expression "the tail that wags the dog" does not do justice in describing this situation.

Despite many claims that American Jewry favor a Palestinian state and a much more accommodating approach with the Palestinians, what comes out of the organizations representing them and out of the U.S. Congress in policy and statements is the opposite. Is there a point at which the congress may feel a sense of shame? That may be asking too much of some politicians, but not too much of others.

The facts are that Americans have a great sense of decency, and fair play, and know excesses when they see them. Herein lies part of the solution to this Gordian knot that so destructively skews U.S. foreign policy. The solution in part is to let the public know what is going on, that is, bring this issue to light so that they can pass judgment.

By,
Jamil Kazoun

Previous Stories:
  Is Israel a pariah nation?   (3/17/1998)
  The coming war between Iraq and Iran   (2/17/1998)
  Dissecting US sanctions: The domestic politics   (1/28/1998)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search