From two different angles, at two different sites, for two different audiences, I have separate columns today examining the implications of the Hagel nomination. Here’s the first, which is more about Israel, and its importance, than about Hagel. Here’s a taste:
The current Senate blockade against Hagel revolves largely around Hagel’s history of oddly antagonistic stances against Israel and/or oddly friendly stances toward Iran and Iranian-linked terrorist fronts. Worse, some of Hagel’s statements seem to go beyond criticism of Israel and border on slanders of Jews in general. On Tuesday, yet another report emerged indicating questionable judgment on Hagel’s part, including assertions that Israel was bordering on become an “apartheid” state.
Nobody should suggest that Israel is above criticism. But to say, as Hagel reportedly did, that Israel is responsible for violating virtually every United Nations resolutions since 1967, is factually inaccurate. Combined with Hagel’s advocacy of negotiations with the terrorist organization Hamas, it is morally obtuse.
More coming, soon.
