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May 3, 2009 | 12:04 pm

Blogging from AIPAC: Times Change, the Cause Remains

Posted by Larry Greenfield

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Larry Greenfield is vice president and fellow in American Studies at The Claremont Institute for the Study of Statesmanship & Political Philosophy


I started attending AIPAC national policy conferences while a law student in Washington, D.C. I had little money, and with minimual security risks in those days, I even sneaked into a session or two. I hope I have made up for it with loyal support of the pro-Israel leadership and activist community for over two decades.

In those early days, the mid 1980’s, Ronald Reagan was President, and the modern day pro-Israel movement was just gaining steam. 

The issues of the 80’s included saving Soviet Jewry, the Arab boycott of Israel, and first Intifada,and helping Israel with her economic growth.  And terrorism.  Always terrorism.

AIPAC had a total of perhaps 30 staffers nationwide, and I helped out as a part-time legal intern while a law student at Georgetown.  I actually worked on some important matters, including an arrest warrant for PLO Chief Yasir Arafat, which made its way to the desk of the Attorney General and helped to deter Arafat from visiting the United Nations.

I recently remembered these good old days with my friend, Hon. Ed Meese, at a law luncheon that my organization, the Claremont Institute, sponsored.

Partisanship did not seem so raw, in those days, and it was meaningful to help plant seeds of bi-partisan support for Israel amongst Jews from all walks of life, and in the Chrisitian and ethnic communities too.  It has been wonderful to build friendships with a wide range of pro- Israel supporters. 

I am considered a “big tent” pro-Israel leader—all aboard!  Political differences take a back seat to our shared common cause of standing with Israel and standing for an American foreign policy that strengthens our special strategic and moral relationship with the Jewish state.

I have been very happy to build friendships and coalitions with anyone and everyone in defense of liberty, and in opposition to those in the Arab world who abuse women’s rights, religious rights, human rights.

In the years since, I have made it to DC for most of the conferences, and I always enjoy seeing old friends and making new ones.  There have been mentors and colleagues and now mentees, political allies, and wonderful relationships with my fellow Californians who fly across country in increasingly large numbers.  Maybe even a girlfriend or two over the years.  It is a great time.

The 1990’s saw the failed Oslo peace process—it was never clear to me why some did not understand Arafat was saying one thing in Arabic and another in English. Read:  The Oslo Syndrome, by Ken Levin.  Superb discussion of Israeli political thinking amidst a sea of enemies.  And read too:  Jews and Power, the excellent primer by Ruth Wisse, who explores as well the psychology of Jews and the meaning of having to defend a Jewish state after 2000 years of diaspora.

The 1990’s closed with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu helping to unleash the Israeli economic miracle, and America standing alone as the sole superpower after the fall of the Former Soviet Union.

Today, 2009, things are much more intense and complicated.  The rise of Radical Islam, and globalization, and China, and the empowered political left in the USA, all create a much more diificult context for confronting evil, promoting human rights, and standing by our allies like Israel.

My recent post explains the need for our generation of pro-Israel advocates to take the next step and lobby for Missile Defense. 

Israel’s last 2 wars were defensive responses to the modern Arab missile war against her, and this has become THE issue of our time.
I lecture widely now about national security and American foreign policy, and my continuing studies take me into increasingly rich detail on the meaning and power of America.  Without a strong America, freedom, and therefore Israel, will perish.

I am deeply concerned about Obama-Biden.  Their many foreign policy moves to date have been troubling:  several unkindnesses to Israeli diplomats by the Obama administration already; the appointment of senior officials who detest Israel (Chas Freeman,et al.); repeated expressions of hostility to the elected Likud government of Israel; significant pandering to Arab tyrants and anti-American autocrats around the world (the bow to the Saudi King…);
pressure on Israel not to pre-empt Iran; re-naming the war on terror “overseas contingency operations” against “man made disasters;” budget cutting on missile defense and other projects (many of whose technologies assist Israel)....the list goes on and on. 

Commentary magazine has a new, powerful piece by lifetime pro-Israel American writer Norman Podhoretz, entitled How Obama’s America Might Threaten Israel, raising many of these concerns.

Obama is at best neutral between our democratic ally Israel and her Arab enemies. 

He is inexperienced and “off the charts” radical in his approach to the true nature of freedom’s enemies. 

Barack Obama is the anti-Ronald Reagan.  Mr. Obama is unrealistic about a dangerous world, and without deep convictions and principles to guide him.

So, here I am again, helping to leverage a successful pro-Israel community to help the United States remain strong as well. One cannot be pro-Israel without coming to understand that America needs to be strong and successful.  Obama has us going in exactly the wrong direction on national security issues.

We overcame Jimmy Carter.  We shall overcome Barack Obama as well.  We had better, because the missile threats are a unique marrying together of terror states and proxy stateless terror groups with modern technology.
Israel still needs a big tent coalition of sophisticated American leaders and grassroots supporters. Now, more than ever.

Wolf and Kemp

Waiting for my red eye flight to DC, I chatted with an old friend, CNN’s respected anchor. Wolf Blitzer.

Interestingly. Wolf (whom I have jokingly long nicknamed Dances with Wolf Blitzer) got his journalistic start covering the Middle East, and his book Between Washington and Jerusalem was an important early book chronicling the US - Israel relationship.

Anyway. Wolf told me he had just heard about the passing of Jack Kemp. The longtime GOP Congressman, former Buffalo Bills Quarterback. and 1996
Vice Presidential candidate was a longtime champion of the Jewish state.

My own Jack Kemp story was when we first met formally at the 1996 GOP convention. I told him that he had pretty daughters and he said….thanks but remember they are shiksas!

I told him it was all good and we would laugh about that moment many times over the following years. I last saw Jack Kemp a year ago at his beloved Pepperdine University in Malibu where he supported entrepreneur programs.

Jack Kemp was a longtime friend of the Jewish commmunity since his days as a high schooler at Fairfax High.

Sportsman, American patriot, conservative icon, friend of Israel, beloved and popular statesman: Jack F Kemp, rest in peace.

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israeli terror against palestinians caused alqueida to attack america, so if israel wont stop killing children we should nuke them as a jesture of peace to the civilized world.

Comment by henry on 5/03/09 at 4:46 pm

Plus they killed Jesus, whom pig-eating pagans like henry obviously love and revere and show that love and reverence for on a regular basis.  For example, they bow to their idol of Jesus at his worst moment, they have their pig-fest on their pagan holidays to celebrate the birth and death/resurrection of Jesus, whom they conveniently ignore was a Jew.  Now the people who start almost every war in this world (WWI, WWII) want to sit in judgement of anyone elses actions.

Not only do they dress in their sheeps clothing, they usually have these non-descript names like henry, george, john, etc.

How and why these comments of henry end up here is another question.  But this and other examples of the many henry clones should show that all this intellectualism cannot overcome religiously brain-washed bastards like the henries.  And be assured it is his Christian/pagan/heathen religion that teaches this hatred for Jews/God, etc, though now transferred to Israel.  And of course, we all know how much SOB’s like henry are concerned with the Palestineans and other non-white, non-blue eyed Aryans.  They don’t care at all!  This is just their latest ploy to spread their Godlessness and hatred for Jews.  It would be nice if some of the ‘politically correct’ out there start to recognize this about most of the henries.  Or is it that they’ll begin to see themselves in henry and his ilk.  I suspect as much. 

Heck, Hitler had thousands willing to do his dirty work.

Comment by The Levite Line on 5/04/09 at 1:36 pm

I wish Mr. Greenfield was as Pro-American as he is Pro- Israel.  For if he was, I am sure he would share my perspective about President Obama.  Barack Obama was elected President of the United States of America, not the Prime Minister of Israel.  It is the country he was elected to serve and be responsible for.  And I am glad to say that he and I share a belief that it is in our country’s national interest to have a peaceful Middle East.  Resolving the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is an important component in achieving that goal.  It is a conflict in which every government in the world knows, except for the current Israeli government, that can only be resolved on the basis of a two state solution.  Failure to end the conflict detrimentally impacts my country’s interest by creating a deep reservoir of anti-American sentiment that limits the influence and credibility of my country in dealing with the governments and peoples in the region.  The continuation of this conflict threatens the viability of moderate regimes in the Arab world.  Extremist groups exploit the anger against my country to mobilize support for Hamas and Hezbollah and it has resulted in the extension of Iranian influence all the way to Mediterranean.  Israel, through its bellicose statements about attacking Iran and its resistance to be our ally in pursuing a two state solution has become a liability to my country.  I, unlike Mr. Greenfield who wants to continue the failed policies of the past, which has led to the increasing influence of Iran in the region and the decline of American influence, am greatly encouraged by the actions President Obama has made: early engagement in the peace process, appointment of George Mitchell as a special envoy, strong uncompromising support for a two state solution, and support of the Annapolis peace process.  But he can do more.  He can take a strong stand against Israel’s flouting of International Law with its continuing settlement activity by describing the settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as “illegal” and “in violation of international law.”  It can stop protecting Israel in the United Nations by vetoing critical resolutions in the Security Council, and instead sponsor resolutions condemning the continuing settlement activity.  These actions will help create a new international environment, in which Israel will have to assess whether the course they are on in their best interest.  I only hope that his resolve to pursue my country’s interest is not weakened by an attempt to appease the Israel Lobby.

Comment by Michael Several on 5/04/09 at 6:40 pm

It amazes me how many non-Jews follow Jewish internet sites or blogs like this. It is like they are looking for places to express their hatred anonymously. These places are safe for them. You can’t find them. You can only respond by writing comments like this. I’m sure they need psychiatric help to rid themselves of this blind hatred of Jews, although I suspect they hate other minorities and search for outlets like this for satisfaction. Although I am not a religious Jew, I love being a Jew because I can easily point to the contributions Jews have given and give to the world.I love our culture and though I am aware not all Jews are good people, compared to the ignorant people who spew their hatred on sites like this, they are angels. Israel is Americas best ally. I’m proud of that. I’m a little frightened of Obama and sincerely hope he will accept the friendship of Israel and not sell her strongest ally down the river.

Comment by Jerry on 5/04/09 at 8:05 pm

israel is americas biggest national security concern from their spying and passing of national security secrets to their inflaming the muslim world to attack america to aipacs blackmailing of elected officials.no americans support israel only jews in america do.

Comment by barry on 5/04/09 at 9:00 pm

I think Israel is like that ponzi scam that Madoff pulled off.  It worked for a while but then people realized, “wait, I didn’t sign up for this!”.  The G-d fearing Jewish people like myself, do not condone the killing of 1000’s of humans(Palestinians) over a 3 week period.  Wake up brothers and sisters… we’re rotting from within.  Enough is enough.  We can’t get away with this type of behavior.  We can’t sit here and plot and plan our way into this Holy Land, while claiming to be victims as we treat the humans (Palestinians) the way we do.  It won’t work for much longer.  It’s the internet age.  Information, video, news is available for the world to see.  Seriously…

Comment by Honest on 5/04/09 at 9:01 pm

This is the best Ha’aretz could find to report?! More like another AIPAC screed than journalism…. no, the tone of discourse today was actually more thoughtful.

Comment by esthermiriam on 5/04/09 at 10:20 pm

THANKS AIPAC/ISRAEL…...americans now openly curse us and spit on the floor as we pass

Comment by levi on 5/04/09 at 10:44 pm

AIPAC is a right wing organization more concerned with the welfare of Israel than the United States. That’s all you need to know about them. They are an agent of a foreign power.

Comment by RW on 5/04/09 at 11:54 pm

esthermiriam = but this is Haaretz-style.  ;->)

Comment by Yisrael Medad on 5/05/09 at 12:18 am

I’m glad to see the Greefield is no longer with the RJC, who have lost all credibility. Greenfield is a real leader in our community and I know he speaks for many conservative leaning Jews with the kind of good heartedness that is nessisary to win people over. Keep it up Larry.

Comment by Jack on 5/05/09 at 12:20 am

It is amazing and depressing how bunch of few so call “jews” ready to blame ISRAEL for all problems in the world and ready to appease to crazy muslems
It is very much remain 1930th-1940th
Wake up, you who complain on ISRAEL - drink coffe!!!!!

Comment by Michael on 5/05/09 at 12:48 am

It’s about time that American jews wake up and smell the coffee, Jack.  Without those “crazy muslems” you and your anscesters probably don’t exist.  Remember when the jews were persecuted elsewhere.  Where did they go.  To Muslim lands for protection.  Israel is the enemy of the jewish people because the finalization of the jews will happen by establishing that cancerous state in the heart of Muslim people on Muslim land.  If G-d gave the land to us, then where have we been for the past 3000 years?  This political entity (Israel) will bring more than holocaust to the jewish people.  I will always say “Not in our name, again!”

Comment by Shlomo on 5/05/09 at 11:02 am

Hear Oh Israel, The Muslim stands united against Jews, Isreal, and the West. Do you ever hear protests from “ANY” Muslim about terror attacks on Israel and the West? NO!! You do from the Goyim and Jews (Left Wing idiots)who cannot wait to be devisive against their own people. We are not Jews, we are the children of Israel. All of us (children of Israel) must stand together no matter what the political climate is in the US or around the world. The Christens have been trying to exterminate us for almost 2000 years, the Muslims have with the help of the Christens (in the last 100 yrs). If we do not stand together these two major population groups will finish us off. We must decide, not on popular now politics, but what political venue will do the least damage to us. If it is right wing Christens who support us now, we join with them. If it is the Left Wing politics for now, we join with them. Five years from now we join with whoever supports us the most! However, today’s political arena is not the Left Wing trash Democrats. They will easily sell us down the road in heart-beat. Left-Wing (socialists/communists) where never pro-jewish. Stalin planned to kill ALL of the Jews in Russia in the early 50’s. Fortunately, he died just in time.
Therefore, STAND together as a single united force for Isreal and all of us (children of Israel) no matter what country we live in.

Comment by Dennis on 5/05/09 at 1:02 pm

TO DENNIS…... get this through your head we americans despise israel/aipac ....... every country you trash have existed you have done the same things. we democrats are anti israel and the jews in our party are the same ones who cheered the gaza massacre, only now because they are afraid of the enourmous backlash building in america against them are they supporting obamas ideas for two states.

Comment by william on 5/05/09 at 4:15 pm

Enlightenment today in the form of news out of the White House—1. Obama administration pushes to have Israel sign non-proliferation nuclear treaty 2. Continued White House support for a two state solution and 3.  Peres tells Obama that peace talks with Palestinians and Syria are “worth it”.  Now if we can address the issues of human rights for all Palestinians living in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza, true progress will begin.

Comment by Vicki on 5/05/09 at 4:26 pm

To: William. You must be the great grandson of Father Conklin. If you remember, he started large anti-semitic rallys all through the 1930’s. He was also on radio with his messages of hate against the Jews.

Comment by Dennis on 5/05/09 at 4:40 pm

ASK NOT IS IT ANTI SEMETIC…..ASK IS IT TRUE ...rev billy graham

Comment by william on 5/05/09 at 5:11 pm

IS THE OBAMA ADMINSTRATION HELPING OR HARMING ISRAEL?

Comment by Lynda on 5/08/09 at 5:19 am

These comments are on the whole offensive.  A lot of real idiots spouting hatred. 

However, this blog entry is ridiculous as well.  Why is it that Obama is being portrayed as anti-Israel?  Such knee jerk reactions by these political gamers at AIPAC.  If a leader doesn’t follow what they heard some Likudniks say is best for Israel, then they are an anti-Israel abomination of some sorts. 

Childishly simplistic, but it’s never appeared to me that AIPAC was anything more than a large game fooling a lot of sheepish people.

Comment by Woody on 5/09/09 at 11:54 am

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