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The views shared on The Mideast Peace Pulse are those of the author(s) and not those of Israel Policy Forum.

New Phone Number

By Israel Policy Forum
Friday, January 27, 2012 - 11:07am

Please note that IPF's phone number has changed. We can now be reached at 212-354-1812. 

We will not stand for this

By Israel Policy Forum
Saturday, January 21, 2012 - 7:46pm

Israel Policy Forum is shocked and appalled by the column published in the Atlanta Jewish Times by its owner and publisher Andrew Adler calling for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “to give the go-ahead for U.S.-based Mossad agents to take out a president deemed unfriendly to Israel in order for the current vice president to take his place, and forcefully dictate that the United States policy includes its helping the Jewish state obl

Amb. Daniel C. Kurtzer on 'Reviving the Peace Process' (TRANSCRIPT)

By Israel Policy Forum
Friday, January 13, 2012 - 10:13am
In an ideal world, if we were writing this up as a scenario we would say let’s put this all on hold, and everyone stays away happily and nothing changes for the worse, and we pick it up perhaps when everyone is stronger. But status quos are not status quos and people know that. They either get better – or more commonly – they actually get worse because they are left neglected. I fear that this status quo, over the next 10 or 11 months if there isn’t some very significant policy activity, will deteriorate into violence.

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Freeman Opponents Pyrrhic Victory

MJ Rosenberg
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."

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Pyrrhic Victory

Submitted by Leanderthal on March 11, 2009 - 4:26pm.


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...

Submitted by DrSteveB on March 11, 2009 - 10:19am.

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

Submitted by MJ Rosenberg on March 11, 2009 - 11:04am.

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!

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