'The Arab Lobby'

I shouldn't be surprised to read such a poorly put together piece of journalism on Arab News, but, alas, I am still surprised...at least a little.

The nefarious title is "The Lobby Strikes Back."  As if Carter has received some kind of punishment for his "outing" of Israel.  The argument post-Walt & Mearsheimer has turned into anyone who questions anyone who in turn questions Israel's policies is part of 'the Lobby' and is trying to silence "the truth." 

90 percent of writer Khaled Batarfi's piece includes quotations from Jimmy Carter's L.A. Times op-ed.  Batarfi spends the other 10 percent begging and answering his own questions via Carter. 

If this counts as an opinion piece, I'm in.  I'm sure I can dig up something profound from a well known political figure who defends Israel meanwhile quoting 90 percent of what he/she has to say.

Both Carter and Batarfi say one cannot question Israel's right to exist, or Israeli policies without retribution.  Of course, I disagree, as commentators, professors, politicians and pundits criticize Israel continuously without penalty. 

What I would like to see in both print and discussion however, is a discussion of 'The Arab Lobby.'  You know, the lobby that consists of a large bulk of the United Nations member nations, most of the state oil superpowers, various university professors (including those in the United States), Hamas, Hezbollah, al Qaeda, Iran and Syria specifically, and all other Arab/Muslim nations who complain how Israel's existence somehow hurts their pride and makes them unable to succeed in life. 

I'd like to see an examination of United Nations policy and how 'The Arab Lobby' has skewed Security Council and General Assembly Resolutions in opposition to Israel.  I'd like to see a discussion on 'the Arab Lobby' and their goal of eliminating Israel politically, militarily, economically and more recently through public relations. 

Of course, I only use 'The Arab Lobby' as shorthand for a loose coalition of individuals, organizations and states that actively work to undermine Israel in an anti-Israel direction.  I do not suggest 'The Arab Lobby' has a central leadership or that certain individuals within 'The Arab Lobby' agree on every single issue, that is, except for the destruction of Israel.  The Arab Lobby fundamentally agrees on this, but the means to achieve success are quite divergent. 

I'd like to discuss why 'The Arab Lobby' has sought to malign and eventually destroy the state of Israel since its inception and why anyone who questions 'the Lobby' is accused of racism and/or demagoguery.

I will use this post as a launching point to discuss my scholarly inquiry into the lurkings of this organization and its attempt to influence its will upon the State of Israel. 

Comments

[amishav]

Looking forward to reading more about this - its a subject that I know little about.