Israeli Government Campaign Against Iran

Balatarin
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richards1052
by richards1052
12-Oct-2009
 

Israel's government is in the midst of a massive campaign to influence American public opinion to favor a hawkish approach toward Iran and its nuclear program.  Part of that effort is a series of public events in various cities with large Jewish communities like mine here in Seattle.  The Israeli consul general organized such an event (to be held on October 21st) offering himself as keynote speaker along with a Jerusalem Post reporter and lobbyist for Aipac.  None have any special academic or personal experience of Iran.  The program is sponsored by the local Jewish federation as a community wide effort to publicize the threat Iran supposedly represents to not just Israel, but the entire Jewish people (these are Bibi Netanyahu's words).

The local Jewish newspaper refused an op ed I prepared as a critique of the lop-sided program.  I am being forced to pay for an ad in order to make a legitimate alternative political approach known to the local Jewish community.

I objected so strongly to this partisan propaganda effort that I am organizing a counter-conference on December 16th tentatively titled Resolving the Iran Crisis through Diplomatic Engagement.  The speakers will be Trita Parsi, Prof. Ian Lustick (Univ. of Penn.) and Keith Weissman (formerly of Aipac's Iran desk).  All will embrace a pragmatic, realistic approch to resolving the current crisis.  An approach endorsed by our own president.

A recent poll by the American Jewish Committee reveals that 55% of Jews approve of a military attack on Iran by the U.S. and 65% approve of an attack by Israel.  This is a chilling result which reveals how much of our work is cut out for us.

If you'd like to support my work by making a donation to cover the costs of the newspaper ad or conference, you may do so via Paypal.

For more of my blog posts on the Iran-Israel-U.S. crisis click here. 

Balatarin
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more from richards1052
 
vildemose

Irandokht: Those are

by vildemose on Tue Oct 13, 2009 08:58 PM PDT

Irandokht: Those are all great ideas but I don't see how the IRI can achieve those ideals by bullying Israel or financing/arming Hizaballah and Palestinians?


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default

Well who has the right to tell Jews where to live and where not?

by timothyfloyd on Tue Oct 13, 2009 05:03 PM PDT

It's completely racist to try to tell Jews where they can live and where they cannot live.But this racism is accepted in the middle east by a bunch of barbarians whose mentality is still set in the middle ages.Jews are shoved into a little piece of land and apparently that land is too large for the Arabs who's lives are so unimportant that its the main issue of their lives.A piece of land is the excuse for a racist war.This little tiny piece of land is supposedly the reason for upsetting the entire region-thousands and thousands of miles.This tiny amount of people in Jerusalem is supposedly the reason the middle east of millions is in its dire conditions.


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IRANdokht

Vildermose

by IRANdokht on Tue Oct 13, 2009 04:46 PM PDT

How about Israel allowing IAEA to inspect their nuclear facilities?

How about Israel become a signatory of the NPT? 

How about Israel stopping its illegal settlements and abiding by the international laws?

How about them being held accountable for the use of chemical weapons against civilians?

There are many more ideas I can bring up but since you asked, I figured I should just write a few... All of the above steps are peaceful and would show the world that Israel is not all about bullying the countries in the region and killing the innocents.

IRANdokht


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vildemose

Ostaad: LOOK, what is your

by vildemose on Tue Oct 13, 2009 04:21 PM PDT

Ostaad: LOOK, what is your solution? More Violence? Another United Arab-Israeli war financed and orchestrated by IRI ? What do you really like to happen to Israel??


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Ostaad

vildemose, look

by Ostaad on Tue Oct 13, 2009 03:03 PM PDT

how much influence other Israel's allies such as Turkey, the US, Germany, France on and on have had on Israel to "change its behavior..." about anything.

nuffsaid.


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XerXes

Thank you richards1052

by XerXes on Tue Oct 13, 2009 08:40 AM PDT

But your work will be useless. The Israelis have been brain washed for 60 years, it might take double that time to make them non racist and humane. Before they get it, they'll be gone as Jewish State. I don't think most Israelis can comprehend more than hating their neighbors and it's the Israeli culture now to play a victim.

No hope. They never get fixed.


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vildemose

Timotyfloyd: Has there been

by vildemose on Tue Oct 13, 2009 07:58 AM PDT

Timotyflyod: Has there been ever been a time when Israel has not felt 'existential threat' from somebody, anybody since it's establishment? I think the Israeleit nation has been suffering from severe PTSD since the  holocaust. And you're right, it's not clear whether the Islamic Republic who considers Israel as an extension of the US is going to engage in any diplomacy to discuss Israel's irrational fears. Can IRI  in good faith engage in  diplomacy with a "non-entity" such as Isreal?

Hopefully, in a free Iran, the secular leaders will conclude that as an ally of Israe, theyl can help influence Isreal in changing its behavior and perception against Palestinians.


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default

Yes I meant to thank you

by timothyfloyd on Tue Oct 13, 2009 12:47 AM PDT

Yes I meant to thank you too Sir.It's quite an event,many great thinker's.My comment is probably mistaken as negative.What I mean to say is you are doing Ghashghavi's job.He should be there to take notes :) Someone needs to do it because that farce of a Govt.
I had to mention it bluntly in frustration because,what Diplomatic Engagement has there been since Khomeni? Here you have this great meeting but is the topic really possible? I know it is possible of Isreal but Is Iran capable of Diplomatic Engagement? I wish so,the I.R.I. need's to be engaged on the subject and brought to meeting with Isreal.

I do think its a good thing you are doing.I disagree with Isreal advocating Bombing Iran at all.That include's the Nuclear sites and am curious to know the Hype of the 'hawkish' tactic's of which the Jewish community there is promoting? I am sure Isreal lives in a psychological fear that needs to be dealt with delicately at this moment.

 


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Bitter Divorced Man

I applaud your effort to prevent Iran from being attacked

by Bitter Divorced Man on Mon Oct 12, 2009 10:09 PM PDT

...but unfortunately I can't donate any money, I don't have any money to donate, my ex-wife takes all the donations I can give.  So sorry, but please keep up the good work.


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default

I'm sure Hassan Ghashghavi

by timothyfloyd on Mon Oct 12, 2009 09:19 PM PDT

I'm sure Hassan Ghashghavi won't be in attendance,unfortunately.


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Bavafa

Thank you for your effort

by Bavafa on Mon Oct 12, 2009 07:36 PM PDT

I will do my part and donate to your cause, the cause of peace in the world.

Mehrdad


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vildemose

This campaign has been

by vildemose on Mon Oct 12, 2009 04:44 PM PDT

This campaign has been continuously going on for a long time now with the help of evanglical Christians and it never stopped as far as I know.


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Louie Louie

And damn you too Michael Jackson!

by Louie Louie on Mon Oct 12, 2009 04:30 PM PDT

Damn you, for ruining a serious movement. Your timing was just great.

 


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I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek

hawkish approach? hawks <3 heat seeking missiles <3

by I Have a Crush on Alex Trebek on Mon Oct 12, 2009 04:16 PM PDT

baloney approach is more like it. please tell me, is mahmoud really in charge in Iran? 

Now all those genius military and political strategists know the answer, but does it matter?? NO! Israel is a nation whose livelihood depends on WAR WAR WAR and CONFLICT CONFLICT CONFLICT.

Similarly, this regime needs Israel to survive. Someone please tell me who announces a bombing campaign before doing it? Why is this not just a bad dream?

Oh yea - Screw you Netanyahu. Screw you til the cows come home you stupid moron for taking the spotlight of a serious movement in Iran by damning it through warmongering. You're a sick excuse for a man. 


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IRANdokht

Thank you

by IRANdokht on Mon Oct 12, 2009 04:46 PM PDT

Thank you for taking the initiative to present the peaceful option to oppose the AIPAC's efforts.

Please pay no attention to the negative feedback on Dr Parsi. He's only being targeted because his organization is the only voice we Iranians have in DC that is trying to oppose AIPAC's warmongering agenda. Obviously that rubs a few people on this site the wrong way. 

I will share your website with my contacts.

IRANdokht


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benross

I don't know this gentleman

by benross on Mon Oct 12, 2009 03:38 PM PDT

I don't know this gentleman except an article I read some time ago here in this site. I just used common sense. If linking a person to IRI is character assassination, I welcome this state of mind of my fellow compatriots! But if there is no link, then elaborate.


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MOOSIRvaPIAZ

Thanks for that Richard

by MOOSIRvaPIAZ on Mon Oct 12, 2009 03:24 PM PDT

I just wish Iranian jews were as vocal and pragmatic as you. Where I live many are still living in their own bubbles.

 

benross, its funny that you mention that because the same groups that are sponsoring these events are responsible for the character assassination of people like Mr. Parsi.


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Abarmard

Thanks for the blog

by Abarmard on Mon Oct 12, 2009 03:07 PM PDT

There is nothing new here. The issue is that the US and Iran are talking and it is becoming clear to the rest of the world that Iran is not having a nuclear bomb program. Israeli government is not being smart.

Historically they are not unless there is a US funded war campaign; Israeli politicians are incompetent to deal with regional issues.


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benross

I don't think you can turn

by benross on Mon Oct 12, 2009 03:03 PM PDT

I don't think you can turn the public opinion of insecure Israelis by 180 degrees. You won't find any supporter from IRI nor its opposition. Try to deviate it 90 degrees toward non interference and letting Iranian people to settle the rest. But I'm sure Trita Parsi can find financial support for you. anything that enforces IRI has a good Iranian petrodollar provider!


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