world Hagel A Controversial Nominee For Defense Ron Kampeas JTA -Fox Run resident Gloria Stoliar 0 n Monday, President Obama nominated former Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) as defense secretary. He also nominated John Brennan, his terrorism adviser, to head the Central Intelligence Agency. Abe Foxman, leader of the national B'nai B'rith, said prior to the nomina- tion, "Sen. Hagel would not have been my first choice, but I respect the presi- dent's prerogative. "I trust that the confirmation process will provide an oppor- tunity for Sen. Hagel to address concerns about his positions, which seem so out of sync with President Obama's clear com- Chuck Hegel mitment on issues like Iran sanctions, isolating Hamas and Hezbollah and the president's strong support for a deepening of U.S. Israel strategic cooperation. "I particularly hope Sen. Hagel will clarify and explain his comments about the 'Jewish Lobby' that were hurtful to many in the Jewish community:' Susan Turnbull is a stalwart of both the Democratic and Jewish communi- ties; she currently chairs Jewish Women International, and has in the recent past chaired the Maryland Democratic Party and served as deputy and then vice- chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee. When Hagel was reported under consideration for the defense post, she stated on her Facebook page: "Calling a group 'the Jewish lobby' is the equivalent of anti-Semitism 2.0. His knee-jerk views are often worrisome:' But according to the Jerusalem Post, a number of prominent Jewish Democrats, including Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Carl Levin (D-Mich.), have suggested they would support Hagel, but others such as Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) have expressed reservations. The National Jewish Democratic Council said the anti-Hagel concerns it expressed in 2007 and 2009, when Hagel was talked about as a Republican presi- dential candidate and, later, in an advi- sory position with President Obama, are no longer relevant, because it is Obama who calls the shots. It said in a state- ment after the nomination: "While we have expressed concerns in the past, we trust that when confirmed, former Sen. Chuck Hagel will follow the President's lead of providing unrivaled • Fox Run in Oakland County is a great choice for retirees who want to enjoy a warm, secure lifestyle. At our private campus, staff members know you and greet you by name. And your neighbors are friendly people who share your interests and values. We even offer on-site medical services, plus extended care if your health needs ever change. A move here is the greatest gift you can give yourself—and the ones you love. Learn more about our vibrant community. Call 1-800-731-7403 today for your free 25-page brochure. Add more Living to your Life' 30 January 10 • 2013 support for Israel — on strategic coop- eration, missile defense programs and leading the world against Iran's nuclear program." However, Republican Jewish Coalition Executive Director Matt Brooks said, "This nomination is a blow to U.S.-Israel relations, to the president's relationship with the American Jewish community, and to U.S. security in the Middle East. "It signals that the president, having been re-elected, will now distance him- self from Israel. We hope that when Sen. Hagel's weak record is laid on the table, senators will rightly decline to support his nomination:' Hegel Responds Hagel granted his first post-nomination interview to a local paper, the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star. He takes on some of the Israel-related allegations, relating to his resistance to joining resolutions and letters backed by AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and the particulars of his skepticism on Iran sanctions. Not addressed, however, is his use of the term "Jewish lobby" and his insis- tence that he was a senator for America, not for Israel, implying that interlocu- tors believed he should be otherwise. "But the fact is that there is not one shred of evidence that I'm anti-Israeli, not one [Senate] vote that matters that hurt Israel!' Hagel said. "I didn't sign on to certain resolutions and letters because they were counter- productive and didn't solve a problem!" Critics hammered Hagel for not join- ing most Senate colleagues in signing on to a number of policy pronouncements that sometimes were sought by AIPAC. "How does that further the peace pro- cess in the Middle East?" Hagel asked. "What's in Israel's interest is to help Israel and the Palestinians find some peaceful way to live together." As for allegations that he has been soft toward Iran's apparent efforts to develop a nuclear weapons capacity, Hagel pointed to his support for strong international sanctions, including those currently in place. "I have not supported unilateral sanc- tions because when it is us alone they don't work and they just isolate the United States!' he said. Brennan, the CIA nominee, has also run into criticism, having once referred to Jerusalem by its Arabic name, Al Quds, and announcing that the gov- ernment would not use the terms "Islamists" and "jihadists." ❑ Compiled from JTA and other sources.