World
Analysis & Commentary
FALLOUT from page 35
May the coming year be filled
with health and happiness for
all our family & friends.
ILISHANAH TOVAH!
Abe & Sheri Slaim,
Danny & Nottasorn Slaim-Plipat, Melissa & Andy Dyer,
Renee & Dan Ruiz, Kevin Dorn
May the coming year be filled
with health and happiness for
all our family & friends.
SHANAH TOVAH!
Pkowsi
A
*t.
I May the coming year be filled
foundation as an American institu-
tion.
The lawmakers who flock to
AIPAC's annual policy conferences
would be less willing to publicly
identify with a foreign lobby.
But the most dangerous outcome
of such a finding will be the accusa-
tions of dual loyalty. That has always
haunted Jewish political activists —
unlike Americans of Irish, Italian,
Turkish, Armenian or Greek ances-
try, to name a few who work within
the political system to improve rela-
tions with their ancestral homelands.
Former federal officials familiar
with both agencies say there is a cul-
ture within the CIA and FBI steeped
in suspicions of dual loyalty on the
part of Jews in their ardent support
of Israel. The rise of the Jewish neo-
cons in top Pentagon positions has
heaped fuel on those suspicions —
especially since America went to war
with Iraq based on dubious intelli-
gence.
The other unrelated problem that
could arise out of the FBI probe
centers on charges of violating feder-
al election laws. There have been
persistent charges by pro-Arab forces
that AIPAC directs the network of
pro-Israel political action commit-
tees (PACs), campaign finance
bundlers and individual contribu-
tors.
AIPAC has successfully fought
such accusations all the way to the
U.S. Supreme Court to avoid being
designated a PAC because of the
impact that would have on the way
it operates and raises money.
The current probe could renew
calls from the organization's critics
for new investigations by the Federal
Elections Commission and demands
to know what has been uncovered
by the FBI, which is widely believed
to be the primary source of the anti-
AIPAC leaks.
V ANEW V
with health and happiness for
all our family & friends.
L/ SHANAH TOVAH
Judith and Marvin Dubin
and Family
9/17
2004
36
Good Timing
There never is a good time for con-
troversy involving the pro-Israel
lobby, but this could be the least-
bad time for it to occur.
The country is in the midst of the
election season and both presidential
candidates aren't interested in mak-
ing an issue of this investigation nor
are members of Congress, where
Israel enjoys virtual wall-to-wall sup-
port.
There is no crisis in the relation-
ship; in fact, it's about as smooth as
it's ever been.
The American Jewish community,
through groups like AIPAC, plays a
prominent role in influencing U.S.
Mideast policy. Right now, promi-
nent politicians and Jewish leaders
are circling the wagons, but that
won't last very long if there are new
revelations.
Apparently, operating on the theo-
ry that nothing succeeds like tzoris
(trouble) when it comes to fundrais-
ing, AIPAC has solicited testimoni-
als from leading political figures and
is distributing them widely as part
of an "urgent appeal" for money to
demonstrate "AIPAC's overall
strength."
But if the shadow of the investiga-
tion darkens, particularly if criminal
charges are filed, members of
Congress and the administration
could become less candid in com-
munication with AIPAC, and reluc-
tant to share information, meet with
its lobbyists or be seen carrying the
group's water.
Other Jewish groups may try to
step in if they perceive a vacuum,
sparking internecine warfare that
will only damage the pro-Israel
cause.
This incident may be the worst
crisis to face the organization and
there will be questions — from
within AIPAC's membership and the
larger Jewish community as well as
the public at large and the Justice
Department — about its operations
and internal accountability.
A penchant for hubris and an
institutional mindset of secrecy —
reflected in its hostile and con-
tentious relationship with the media
— add to the suspicion that there is
something to hide.
AIPAC may be innocent, but its
traditional way of doing business
just encourages those who believe it is
part of a great Jewish conspiracy.
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