Israel's
Ties to the War in Iraq...Conspiracy Theory or Honest Discussion?
Washington, DC 03/12/03: American Muslims for Jerusalem (AMJ) today sent to the
media the following press release on Congressman Moran's comments about a Jewish
push for war:
The policies of Israel's right-wing leaders are playing a large role in
shaping American policy in the Middle East—especially in Iraq. The
Israeli outline for a redrawing of the Middle East through force, which called
the removal of Saddam Hussein from power "an important Israeli strategic
objective," was laid out in a policy paper submitted to Prime
Minister-elect Benjamin Netanyahu in 1996 by Likudnik strategists. The
"Clean Break" memorandum outlined how the Middle East could be
reshaped to Israel's advantage. Four of the paper's authors? Richard
Perle, Douglas Feith, John Bolton, and David Wurmser. All four now hold
key Middle East positions or advisory roles in the Bush administration.
In light of Representative Moran's indefensible comments on an American Jewish
role in the war on Iraq, AMJ believes it is important to highlight Israel's
eagerness for an invasion of Iraq. Israel's role is discussed openly in
Israel. The same open discussion is labeled "anti-Semitic" in
America. “Anti-Semitism is repulsive and intolerable. At the same
time it is profoundly un-American to stifle discussion of the well-documented
Israeli push for committing American troops to invade Iraq. Israel is a
big factor in our decision to go to war," says AMJ Executive Director
Khalid Turaani.
There is deep anxiety among Israeli leaders over possible delays in the US war
effort, according to the Forward's March 7 edition. In fact, both Ariel Sharon
and Shimon Peres have appealed to the Bush administration "not to
delay" its action in Iraq. In "Sharon's War?" Bob Novak
reports that in private conversations with Senator Hagel and many ot! her
members of Congress, Ariel Sharon made clear that Israel views the US overthrow
of Saddam Hussein's regime as being of great assistance to Israel.
"That view is widely shared inside the Bush administration, and is a major
reason why US forces today are assembling for war," writes Novak. It is
alarming that the administration is moving towards Likudnik policies on the
Middle East, which have proven disastrous for all peoples of the region.
Uri Avnery, an Israeli peace activist, described America's war effort:
"What does it remind me of?...In the early 80's, I heard about several
plans like this from Ariel Sharon…His head was full of grand designs for
restructuring the Middle East, the creation of an Israeli "security
zone" from Pakistan to Central Africa, the overthrow of regimes and
installing others in their stead, moving a whole people (the Palestinians) and
so forth…"
"Israel Firsters want a war sooner than later, without regard for American
interests or American lives," Mr. Turaani concluded.
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