The views shared on The Mideast Peace Pulse are those of the author(s) and not those of Israel Policy Forum.
Other Voices
Blog Archive
- January, 2010 (1)
- December, 2009 (33)
- November, 2009 (41)
- October, 2009 (44)
- September, 2009 (68)
Freeman Opponents Pyrrhic Victory
former Washington Director of Policy Analysis, Israel Policy Forum
Posted March 11, 2009 - 8:07am
The campaign to defeat Chas Freeman's appointment as chair of the National Intelligence Council succeeded. He withdrew his name yesterday.
But it may come at a cost. The perception, almost universally held, that he was brought down because he is a strong and vocal opponent of Israel's West Bank and settlement policies is, not good for the Jewish community and the pro-Israel community in particular.
As one leading blogger put it to me last night, "so it's okay to be a strong critic of US policies and still get a government job, but if you stray from the pro-Israel line, you are a dead duck."
True or not, that is the perception and the Freeman critics know it which is why, following his withdrawal, some major Jewish organizations applauded his downfall but only in blind quotes.
What does it all mean? That is hard to say although an insider I spoke to last night said: "This was a real pyrrhhic victory. One, the administration is pissed off. And, two, Obama is going to be more determined than ever to take a strong stand on settlements, Gaza relief, and negotiations. They shot their wad on Freeman. They will not think that was so smart a few months from now."
Bookmark/Search this post with:
Trackback URL: http://www.israelpolicyforum.org/trackback/1126
- Login to post comments
- Email this page
- Printer-friendly version
Comments
Pyrrhic Victory
Based on what Mr. Rosenberg writes my wish that maybe, just maybe, the attack on Freeman will backfire might come true.
It's about time American and Israeli Jews stand up and be counted among those who desire an open handed relationship between our two countries, not a subterfuge that results in Zionist voices carrying more weight in America than American voices.
I've said several times that I look for more Jews to join Roger Cohen, Richard Cohen and Thomas Friedman in speaking truth to Israeli power. Perhaps Mr. Rosenberg is one of them.
We'll keep watching and listening for who will speak up about this scurrilous attack on Charles Freeman.
Leanderthal, Lighthouse Keeper
hopefully can staff up with IPF/J-street pro-real peace folks...
Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could find some professionals for State and Intelligence who were both critical of Israeli settlement & occupation policy, who would push for real peace between Israel and its neighbors based on Geneva/Saudi plan etc... who were not ALSO hard core right wing realists who defend dictatorships like Saudis and China?
Sorry, but the whole Freeman saga is a reminder that the enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend. I see no need to get into bed with him just because the opposition was led by disengenuoyus traitrors like Rosen.
And hopefully you are right, that this is a pyrrhic victory, and that Obama will stand-up to the next Israeli government and demand real change.
You are right
I'm optimistic. I think the administration intends to push hard for peace. Somehow I doubt Steve Rosen will have much impact on its plans!