Debating Chas Freeman

I find Charles Freeman’s views on Israel to be entirely one-sided. I can think of numerous declarations by Arab states, organizations, and terrorist groups declaring their intent to destroy the state of Israel. When has Israel ever made such a declaration about any of its neighbors? In fact, when Israel had a chance to destroy Egypt in the 1967 war, they stopped short. I forget what Israeli statesman made this quote concerning Hamas and the recent war, but in essence, he said, “If Hamas stops firing, the war will end. If we stop firing, every Israeli will be dead.”
I certainly don’t think Israel is perfect or that it has acted flawlessly in every situation. But the lack of balance in Freeman’s statements clearly shows his bias.

Charles Freeman is absolutely correct in his analysis of Israel. America’s support for Israel was the primary reason why Al Qaida attacked us on 9/11. Bin Laden has repeatedly said that in numerous videos. The rest of the world, including our European friends and media in Europe routinely discuss the fact that America’s support for Israel was the main cause behind 9/11 attack. The Jewish Lobby is attacking Chas Freeman because Freeman had the courage to speak out the truth: We must end our blind support for Israel. We must end our $5billion annual subsidy to Israel, which is a wealthy nation by Western standards. The support for Israel is essentially the result of pressure from the tiny, but very powerful Jewish Lobby.

Why do we send them billions in taxpayer dollars each year when Americans are in need?
Do we ever question people in the goverment (wolfowitz, perle, emanuel, steve israel, feith) about being too pro-israeli? How can Stever Rosen say anything, he’s a traitor and a spy for Israel.
Israel is another country and America is stupid for providing unconditional support for Israel.
Great choice in Chas Freeman, time for American to focus on healing itself rather than a foreign nation known as ISrael

Blame everything on Israel…and yet we have about 1-2 major allies in the world and Israel is the strongest. When Iran needs taking care of, Israel will be forced to do America’s bidding…and I’m sure all the anti-semites will be out front, rabidly against Israel for that too. Disgrace.

When has allegiance to Israel became a litmus test to serve our government? Steve Rosen, an indicted spy for Israel, has the temerity to call Freeman un-American because of Freeman’s views on Israel? Take a look at those attacking Freeman– Marty Peretz, Jeff Goldberg, Rich Lowry, and other agents of Israel. When the terrorist Bin Laden is saying loud and clear in his videos that he attacked us because of our support for Israel, why is it unacceptable to say that? After all, that is the truth.

Jake
Your work holds out the possibility that mainstream journalism can redeem itself, and, possibly, save the nation.

I am a Jewish American doctor married to a Lebanese Arab women for 19 years. We have been to Israel many times and have also been to the West Bank. I am sick of the pro-Israel propaganda by the right wing jewish organizations and media fronts that do not represent the views of mainstream Jews. Sadly, blind support for Israel has enabled it to continue its illegal occupation of West Bank and expansion of settlements. What has terrorism got to do with stealing Palestinian lands and building homes for Jews? Also, why are we debating attacking Iran for trying to build a nuclear weapon (yes, they are trying), when we never speak of the fact that Israel has over 200 nukes?

Repost of earlier post:
The thing that stands out to me in the Freeman father and son’s’ remarks, as well as their defenders, is the barely disguised attempt to make this about Jews
They ignore that 87 Chinese & Chinese-American scholars reportedly oppose Freeman, as well as lawmakers and prominent members of the GOP. Instead, they use suggestive terms like schmuck, Israel firsters–and mock the Jewish community’s concern about anti-Semitism in their blogs and op-eds.
That kind of language appeals to white supremacist groups like Stormfront, David Duke etc, but it doesn’t sit well with moderate Americans who know how to exercise critical thinking.
The far Right and far Left have become strange bedfellows over Israel, and perhaps some are testing the political boundaries of a new presidency.

Everyone is biased. It is not that I like Charles Freeman’s support of Chinese suppression of human rights, but I must agree on Israel. Our support of Israel and constant intervention in the Middle Eastern states is what has made us a target for terrorists.
Why is anyone who disagrees with our policies on Israel always labeled an anti-semite?
Israel is one of our strongest allies, but what have they done for us lately besides inflame an already dangerous situation?
Obama can’t pick a bleeding heart for every post. Differences of opinion are what will generate new ideas and compromises. I’m sure the Obama administration knew about his past, but picked him for a reason.

Mr. Jake Tapper:
I have tremendous respect for you as a journalist and I sincerely believe you are one of the best in the business. Please tell us, Mr. Tapper, when will we see that day when great American journalists have the courage to speak the truth? Mr. Tapper, you and many other fine journalists write about many issues but engage in self-censorship when the topic of Israel comes up. Mr. Tapper, kindly tell us why the media does not debate the issue of $4 billion in annual aid to Israel when by all standards Israel is a very rich country? Why the media never discusses that our government looks the other way when Israel continues to steal Arab land? Also, Mr. Tapper please tell us why the media never shows the great destruction Israel caused on the captive, helpless population of Gaza including the death of over 1300 in response to the stupid rocket attacks by Hamas which killed 2 Israeli in 18 months. And, for the record, I condemn Hamas rocket attacks on Israel, but I believe Hamas was firing the rockets because of Israel’s refusal to open the borders of Gaza. Israel has a stranglehold od Gaza. Thank you, Mr. Tapper.

Freemans views on china strike me as the one compelling reason to disgard the reasoning that i might have held…that a diversity of points of view is always a good thing if they are reasoned and well founded, I am not sure this one fits the bill…and a kid who wants to sove his fathers problems with his fists and hot temper..might be an indication of his fathers own philosophy

It has been clear since at least 2000 when Sharon successfully sabotaged the peace talks with his calculated violation of Islam’s Haram al Sharif, that the Israeli conservatives who dominate Israeli politics have committed their country to an almost purely militaristic strategy to achieve their goals, goals that don’t include exchanging the Golan for peace with Syria, and a two-state solution with the Palestinians.
Chas Freeman’s frustration likely is more with the US Government’s behavior, until now, in enabling these Israeli policies without question or condemnation. The 2006 invasion of Lebanon and the more recent Gaza operation are illustrative. His willingness to speak truth to power would be a welcome change.

chas is also part of Iranian lobby. The rise of Iranian lobby in Obama admin is remarkable.
go ahaed and read this report, Chas is all over this report:
This report documenting the rise of what can accurately be described as the “Iran Lobby” in Washington,
D.C. is derived entirely from unclassified open sources and describes in detail the activities, linkages, and objectives of this alarming alliance between NIAC, CAIR and others that is aimed at co-opting America’s foreign policy in the Middle East and specifically with Iran. Understanding the involvement of the Tehran regime in the foundation and continuing activities of organizations like these and their allies will become increasingly important to understanding the extent of the regime’s influence on American foreign policy decisions regarding Iran.

Sad to see this country which has produced so many great journalists, but only few have dared speak against the destructive infuence of the jewish lobby and our Israel policy. Great journalists like Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings, Dan Rather, and many others remained silent in the face of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. Our politicians are in the pocket of the Israel lobby, who by their control of the media and finance has a hammerlock on the Congress.

As Ackerman noted the other day, one of the leading anti-Freeman generals is AIPAC’s Steve Rosen, who has been indicted for passing American secrets onto the Israeli Government. That’s almost satire: an AIPAC official accused of spying for a foreign country purporting to lead the charge against Freeman based on Freeman’s “extremism” and excessive ties to another Middle Eastern country.

Refreshing. About time someone was inside who would challenge old, timeworn and discredited policies.

the strength of the pro Israel lobby in America comes from Christian conservatives, not the Jewish population.
If you want to believe that rich Jews in America have that much political power, well, continue to feed your biases, but the truth is really the Christian religious conservatives both have the power to affect political issues and use it to protect Israel.

“Why is anyone who disagrees with our policies on Israel always labeled an anti-semite?”
For the very same reason that anybody who disagrees with the “Obama” organization is labeled a ‘racist’ … it shuts down critical discussion.
Posted by: Human Intelligence | Mar 9, 2009 11:30:53 AM
===========================
Touche.

Israel is our ally and we must support Israel. Israel is fighting the terrorists that hate us and would like to take our freedom away. Aid to Israel must be increased. We give only $5 billion a year to Israel and they really need the money.

Chas Freeman and the end of anti-semitism
——————-
This miscreant only legitimizes Obama’s long held anti-semitic views and history. You know the one that the press buried.
The video of the speech suppressed by the LA Times, who after three excuses found one they could stick with to with hold release. Their description of the event was overtly anti-semitic, and Obama was heard to say to the person chairing the event, “Israel has no god given right to the land”.
Obama spent 20 years in a church fomenting anti-semitism, racism and ant-american hatred. It handed over the church newsletter to a hamas leader who wrote a lengthy blame Israel for everything front page article. The church honored Louis Farakkan who is a known, vocal anti-semite.
Somehow these 2 decades were dismissed and not representative of Obama.
Let me remind you that when Bush, or any republican planned to speak at ‘BOB JONES UNIVERSITY”, just a speech, every thought of every person who had ever passed through those doors was attributed to Bush.
There are additional hires in the Obama administration who are outspoken critics of Jews and Israel.
This is a travesty.
Alan Dershowitz, by every measure a strong liberal, has expressed deep concerns about Obama’s approach to Israel.
Recently democrats in New York, such as Mort Zuckerman, expressed concern about their support for HIllary based on her statements supporting Israel, and her turnabout in words and policy since taking office.
John Chait of the the Washington Post and the New Republic, very liberal papers and magazines has expressed grave concerns.
He discusses Freemans support for the Chinese Government in the Tianaman Square Massacre, only wishing they had stepped in sooner.
This is a fringe mentality that blames the US and Israel for 9/11, instead of blaming 19 radical terrorists with box cutters, and calling them out for their radical ideology that includes “wiping israel off the face of the earth”
Seldom reported is the hatred for Jews is instilled from birth in most muslim countries. It is taught in school.
Every one also has manged to forget that Sadaam Hussein would offer $25,000 to the family of each suicide bomber who attacked Israel.
Obama is dangerous and corrupt. He has had little examination of his history and ideology in the media.
He was given the media gift of accepting, without question the numerous “election conversion” issues such as a sudden support for Israel.
This appointment is dramatic and dangerous.
It is a reflection of a long held, long demonstrated anti-semitic ideology.
There will be devastating, world wide consequences.
If you have any questions about any of this do the research. If your goal is to twist and distort in order to support Obama no matter what there is no arguing with you.
All information is easily available on the net.

Islam-Judaism-Christianity all claim their ethical roots from Abraham yet they are the ones having violent relationships.
Freeman has expressed the attitude of Israel’s sons, Simeon and Levi against their peaceful neighbors (Genesis 34). Is not there a lesson of Esau’s peace response to Jacob? (Genesis 33)
Most of these detractors are unaware of Ishmael and Isaac peaceful relationship, (Genesis 25:9) Maybe they just recognize true history.

“American support for Israel has been premised on a willful blindness to the root cause of the conflict — that Israel is a religious state motivated by the belief that G-d is their real estate agent, Palestinians be damned.”
Palestinians use the exact same argument, even use instances in the Bible for their argument. Islam also teaches that once land is taken by muslims, it is always Islamic land, only occupied by infidels. They believe this about Israel, Spain, South Eastern Europe, anything that was once in Muslim control.
“Until Israel either grants Palestinians the right to vote”
Palestinians do vote. Hammas voted into power?
“or lets them have a state with territorial integrity”
There are territories controlled by Palestinians. It’s on a map.
“then nothing Israel is doing is consistent with our AMERICAN values of democracy, decency, and pluralism.”
I think before America gets behind a Palestine, they need to renounce violence to advance their political views. Hard thing to do when the voted in party (Hammas) proclaims that it will not stop until there is no more Israel.
“If you don’t believe me, you’re invited to visit the West Bank and see for yourself what fascism looks like.”
I immediately cannot tell if your talking about Palestinians or Israeli’s with that statement. Are you talking about the deal Palestinians reached with Israel that, if the Israeli’s pulled out of the West Bank, Palestinians would not use it to launch rockets, which they promptly did within a week?

The biggest problem with Freeman is not his views or his candor, but his paymasters. This guy works for the Saudis and the Chinese and Obama wants to give him access to sensitive intelligence. I can’t say I’m surprised, but I always knew Obama was out to ruin the country.

i dont think chas is the man for the post. his retrospective renditions of history are disturbing; this is not merely limited to the arab/israel issue. look at the guys opinions! he is a radical who is wildly set in his beliefs.
also, for all the anti-israel people, please remember that the idf has shown more restraint and sensitivity toward civilians than any other military in history (according to various military specialists). yes, civilians have been killed – and i am as outraged as anyone! BUT, if 5-10 attacks/missiles were threatening USA civilians every day, we would take action, too.
sometimes, the anti-israel people are exceedingly set in their beliefs. wonder why? my money is on anti-semitism.

There are even people in Israel who feel this way. Freeman is clearly a conservative — he was 41′s Ambassador to SA — so I’m puzzled conservatives are in a dither. I thought the Right was tired of political correctness — or is it just certan types of political correctness? Israel manages to tolerate dissenters in its government; I think we can handle one or two.
I’m guessing the Mainstream Alternative Media need this to push the Obama-is-incompetent narrative along — except this isn’t even an Obama appointment. You’ll get more traction blaming him for the stock market. Just keep in mind as you hang it around his neck — it has a habit of roaring back after a while.

How many mulligans does Obama get from the press before they start reporting the fact that he does not possess the intelligence or judgment to be President of the United States.
Mr. 57 states is in way over his head and even one of his biggest supporters, Warren Buffet, is calling him out on his amateurish handling of this economic crises that he and his Fannie/Freddie supporting democratic friends help create.
Cabinet picks dropping like flies,tax cheats,and making fools of themselves in front of the world,Hillary”We have had
democracy longer than Britain”Clinton telling China money trumps human rights.
Hope and Change my A$$.
The press needs to get off it’s knees
and start being the “watch dog” of the government instead of the “lap dog”.

Seems there are really two problems at the core of this issue, both rarely discussed as the political jockey for power and to convince themselves they are on the right side.
The first is whether God dictates that the land where the state of Israel now stands actually belongs to the “sons of Israel.” Crucial to this is what defines the “sons of Israel.” Whether either the people who follow Jewish religion or the leaders of the current Israeli state are the true sons of Israel is something I’m not convinced of, and is not fully clear in the Bible. Whether you believe the Bible is the word of God or not, it’s fair to question whether the Israeli authorities are those to whom this land of Israel was promised.
The second crucial issue is why do the jewish people feel that only they can defend themselves, and that a state dominated by them must exist to guarantee their survival? Why must a state dominated by one religion or ethnicity exist? That heart of Zionism is such an “un-American” idea, a rejection of everything we stand for. The world community failed the Jewish people in the face of Nazi terror, and it’s not hard to see how that horrific failure allowed the explosion of Zionist ideology and the creation of the modern State of Israel. We need to address that failure, though, to get back to our American ideals that see no one religion or ethnicity as better than the others while defending all. We have to reject the idea that one religion or ethnicity must dominate its nations’ politics in order to be safe. Otherwise we are little more than the fundamentalists that we rail against.
This means being an ally of the security of the people in Israel, while rejecting at the same time the very idea that only Jews can be counted on to defend Jews. This is not anti-Semitic, it is a rejection of the heart of Zionism. It is only anti-Semitic if the Zionists are right, that we will fail to defend the Jewish people (in the same way we should defend all of mankind). We must prove the Zionists wrong, without playing their game.
Rockets and suicide bomber attacks are unacceptable, but may God enlighten those Jewish souls who see everything through the Zionist reality. May He enlighten us all to be strong forever in the face of hatred and a lust for power based on identity, and give true faith back to the Zionists.
I wonder how many people think the Jewish people brought the Holocaust upon themselves? If so, then your anti-Semitism is atrocious, for no people could ever deserve such terror. But I also wonder whether the actions of those driven by the Zionist philosophy that is sure only Jews can be counted on, whether this and the policies that derive from it are laying the foundation of hatred and resentment that the Holocaust fed on. We must stop this process, and see the big picture, for the sake of Jewish people and us all. We must destroy the very heart of Zionism, by giving all people a sense of faith. This is America’s noble calling – not defending the state of Israel. May God enlighten our hearts.

It looks clear to me that there are two camps here: one group support Chas’view about Isreal, another against the other group’s view. It is equally clear to me, this is something doesn’t need further discussion if we were in a noncontrolled media and political environment. Chas is right! But look what has happened to his nomination. World’s fact can be twisted according to a small group’s interest, domastically and internationally. However, I expect this to be changed sooner or later. I am utterly sick of this manipulation of the fact, and believe there are many of same minded, proud, descent people share the same view of this issue. the patience is running thin.
Leave China out of this, we all know what is the core issue here and what brought down Chas’nomination.

As a Jew, I fully believe that the very definition of Anti-Semitism is being against the destruction of the Palestinians as a people and a culture. G-d has bestowed us the land of Israel in order to kill every Palestinian.
The same goes for every single Iranian.

this chas guy is so full of beans. he is a hater — a naked player, not at all subtle.
he is not fit for any government. strike that — he would have made a good minister of public information for saddam.
todd