AIPAC Conference Day Two

AIPAC Conference Day Two

by Stephen Lendman

AIPAC operates lawlessly. It's an unregistered foreign agent. It prioritizes militancy, war, occupation harshness, apartheid, racist hate, and Israel uber alles. 

It's a dagger in the heart of rule of law principles and democratic value. It menaces world peace. Its annual conferences display the worst of its agenda. 

A rogue's gallery of speakers participate. Day two featured Joe Biden and Netanyahu. They spoke back-to-back. Biden did in person. Netanyahu followed by satellite. He remained home in Israel.

Iran was the topic of choice. Obama's "not bluffing," said Biden. He "cannot and does not bluff."

He lied saying "We're not looking for war. We're ready to negotiate peacefully. But all options including military force are on the table."

He lied again adding "While that window is closing, we believe there is still time and space" for diplomacy. None existed for 34 years. None exists now. 

America remains hostile. It's intolerant of independent states. It wants subservient pro-Western ones replacing them. War is an option of choice.

Biden called Iran an "existential threat." He lied saying so. 

"We have a shared strategic commitment," he said. "Let me make clear what that commitment is: It is to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, period."

It's "important that the world is with us if we have to act."

AIPAC spokesman Marshall Wittmann thanked Biden, saying:

"We are very pleased by the vice president’s strong statement that the president is not bluffing in his commitment to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. It was a strong and eloquent speech."

Netanyahu followed Biden. He's a world class thug. He's a tinpot despot. He's an embarrassment to democratic values. He deplores peace. He heads Israel's worst ever government. 

His bluster wore thin long ago. Why Israelis put up with him they'll have to explain. Israel faces no existential threat. Netanyahu can't be trusted. He menaces world peace. 

He lies about Iran. He's a serial liar. He said Iranian sanctions haven't worked. He omitted explaining they're lawless. They target ordinary Iranians. They're in place to inflict pain and suffering.

He said Tehran must be confronted with a credible military threat. 

"Iran still hasn't crossed the red line, but it's getting closer," he added. Tehran's stalling, he claimed. It's using P5+1 talks to "run out the clock."

"Iran has made it clear that it will continue to defy the will of the international community." 

"Time after time, the world powers have tabled diplomatic proposals to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue peacefully. But diplomacy has not worked. Iran ignores these offers."

Negotiations are red herring cover for regime change. Tehran's nuclear program is legal. It complies fully with NPT provisions. It replicates what dozens of other countries do. It's unfairly targeted, criticized and vilified.

Israel is nuclear armed and dangerous. Netanyahu's a regional menace. 

"We must stop (Iran's) nuclear enrichment program before (it's) too late," he claimed.

"Words alone (won't) stop Iran. Sanctions alone (won't) stop Iran. (They) must be coupled with a clear and credible military threat (if they) fail."

Israel seeks peace, he said. He lied saying so. Earlier he called pursuing it with Palestine a waste of time. His anti-Iranian rants show he prioritizes war. He deplores diplomatic conflict resolution.

His entire talk was hostile, belligerent, and over-the-top. He raged like an out-of-control despot. AIPAC participants approved. He got numerous standing ovations.

Other speakers echoed his views. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R. VA) said:

"We need to recognize that military action against Iran may become necessary to protect America, Israel and our allies."

House minority whip Steny Hoyer added:

"If there is one lesson we have learned about the Middle East in recent years, it is that nuance is not only not effective but can be dangerous."

"We must speak with unambiguous clarity. The United States will not accept a nuclear weapons-capable Iran."

AIPAC prioritizes Israel becoming America's "major strategic ally." Getting it will be special. No other nation has it. 

On March 5, Haaretz headlined "US Republican, Democrat introduce bill to make Israel 'major strategic ally,' " saying:

House representatives Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R. FL) and Ted Deutch (D. FL) introduced it. Doing so "codifies a number of existing facets of the relationship."

It includes guaranteed billions of dollars in annual aid, defense assistance and cooperation, energy research, cyber security, and anti-Iranian complicity.

AIPAC wants more. It may get it. It wants sequestration exemption. On February 27, New York-based Jewish Week headlined "AIPAC to Hill: Don't Touch Israel Aid," saying:

AIPAC's lobbying furiously to protect it. Exempting Israel from sequestration is prioritized. 

Odds favor it happening. AIPAC's too potent to ignore. Annual Israeli aid is automatic. It's largely military. It increases regularly. 

Frequent add-ons supplement it. What Israel wants it gets. Congress willingly goes along. Expect nothing different this time.

Sequestration targets America's social contract. Corporate and defense related priorities are largely exempted. Israeli aid will be protected. Congress won't dare do otherwise.

A Final Comment

On March 3, YNet News headlined "Ministry launches 'Palestinian only' buses."

On Sunday, they began operating in the West Bank. They segregate Israelis from Arabs. Doing so exceeds the worst of Jim Crow South.

Israeli authorities claimed otherwise. They lied doing so. They said they're to transport Palestinian workers to central Israel. It's meant to ease congestion.

Palestinians wishing to travel on "mixed" lines will be denied. Spurious reasons include claiming they pose a security risk.

At the same time, Israel's Transportation Ministry said it's prohibited "from preventing any passenger from boarding any line of public transportation, nor do we know of a directive to that effect." 

"Installing these lines was done with the knowledge and complete agreement of the Palestinians."

Saying so defies reason. Declaring Palestinians a security threat doesn't wash. So does claiming segregation eases congestion. 

Palestinians challenging Israel's order won't be treated kindly. Expect police state harshness to confront them. It's standard Israeli practice. Rogue states operate that way.

On March 5, Haaretz responded. It's editorial headlined "New Routes to Racism," saying:

Israel's mandate reflects "another manifestation of a regime based on discrimination and segregation."

Although ostensibly Palestinians can still travel on mixed buses, Israeli police are "preparing to enforce separation."

Palestinians traveling on regular buses will be ordered off. Those refusing will be harshly confronted. 

"Palestinians traveling from Tel Aviv to Samaria were apparently already being taken off buses last Thursday." 

Witnesses said "an entire busload of people were ordered off a bus near the Shaar Shomron interchange, and their identity cards were checked."

They were all Palestinians. They "were ordered to leave the terminal and walk to the Azoun-Othma checkpoint, 2.5 kilometers away." 

"According to the police, they were merely implementing Transportation Ministry instructions."

Years earlier, Israel's High Court "disallowed the ban on Palestinians traveling on Route 443."

Justices said Israel can't build Jews-only roads. It's done, of course, anyway. It's policy. It's longstanding. It's institutionalized.

Separation is ruthlessly enforced. Segregated buses reflect is latest manifestation. It hardens apartheid repression.

"The way (Israel) manage(s) the territories is a far cry from the way occupied lands are meant to be managed."

"Rather than express 'concern' for the Palestinians by excluding them from Jewish bus lines, it would behoove the prime minister to immediately put a stop to this racist segregation."

Expect him to do nothing of the sort. He's a racist. He's a serial lawbreaker. He enforces occupation harshness. His contempt for non-Jews is palpable. 

He denies Palestinians fundamental civil and human rights. He wages war without declaring it. He orders targeted assassinations. He runs torture prisons. 

He threatens regional war. He menaces world peace. He governs like a tinpot despot. Expect worse ahead on his watch.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book is titled "Banker Occupation: Waging Financial War on Humanity."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

It airs Fridays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour

http://www.dailycensored.com/aipac-conference-day-two/