Clinton Bashed By Some NYC Jewish Leaders

(CBS)  Humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza has become an increasingly hot topic ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to the region next week.

Clinton aides have reportedly been relaying messages to Israeli leadership critical of the obstacles placed in getting aid to the Gaza Strip, according to the daily newspaper Haaretz in Jerusalem.

"Israel is not making enough effort to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza," senior U.S. officials reportedly told their Israeli counterparts last week, according to the paper, which adds that more critical comments are expected by the U.S. Middle East Envoy George Mitchell, who will be in Israel this weekend.

In the U.S., Jewish leaders in Clinton's home state of New York have expressed outrage at the alleged criticism leveled by Clinton's state department.

"I liked her a lot more as a senator from New York," State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, D-Brooklyn, told CBS station WCBS-TV in New York. "Now, I wonder as I used to wonder who the real Hillary Clinton is."

For her part, Clinton has said recently ahead of her trip: "We are working across the government to see what our approach will be."

CBS News correspondent Robert Berger in Jerusalem reports that there has been no significant backlash in the Israeli media or by the Jewish state's politicians over the comments made by "U.S. officials" to the Haaretz newspaper, which seem to be the cause of so much consternation in New York.

[luke_4u]

The only thing I can see that Israel did wrong in Gaza was, they pulled out too soon. Obviously the job wasn't, and isn't done yet. Even after all that has been done, Gaza terrorists are still sending rockets into Israel. The hell with Gaza, they've got nothing coming. Israel should have pushed them all into the sea, then this would at long last be over. The Palestinians are never going to wise up, that's clear. They can't beat Israel, there's no way. They need to lay down their arms, stop the killing and live as normal people.

[cbsantispin]

"Clinton Bashed By Some NYC Jewish Leaders"

Any American Politician who speaks out against Israel has to be very brave! The Jews are so well organized and connected, they can destroy anyones career, reputation or worst. But if any American Politician has the strength and courage to do it and emerge unscathed, its Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Good for you Hillary, don't let the Israeli Lobby or Jewish Network intimidate you! Maybe this will make Israel think twice before it attempts bombing Irans nuclear program without involving the U.S. since Israel will expect U.S. support if events don't go as planned, this is if Israel is thinking along this track. Which brings me to the recent Israeli election won by Livni but given to Netanyahu, so what was the point of voting if Livni wins but Netanyahu gets the job? It may seem like I'm anti-Israel but I'm not, I just don't like Israel taking U.S. support for granted or lashing out against any American who does not agree with what Israel is doing at any given time. Israel needs to chill out.

[iamparrot]

islam is as islam does. we shouldn't be supporting anybody in gaza, not the people that hide and support hamas, nor the gaza govn't.

islam has and always will be a murderous two-faced farce.

I applaud Israel for standing up for herself, and I wish more nations would stand up to the fascist idealogy that is islam.

[harbinger19]

America needs to defund Isreal. We give them 3 billion of taxpayers money every year so they can murder women and children and expand their territory.Now we have to send an additional 900 million to Palestine in aid because they destroyed palestinian infastructure and thats probably just a start.
Posted by trickbox2 at 5:13 AM : Feb 27, 2009


900 million to Palestine? Money and rebuilding can't replace the PEOPLE. it is the rage and grief of occupied people that drive them to terrorism. We seem to think we can make things right with a rebuilding project. Could someone kill your family and make it all better with a new road.? They will hate us as the puppet master and Israel as the puppet just the same

[harbinger19]

I supported the Israeli invasion of Gaza because Hamas violated their ceasefire committments and Israel has every right to defend its citizens. I had hoped that Israel would be just as agressive in providing rebuilding assistance as they were in the military campaign.

I believe most Jewish-Americans have no confusion as to where their primary loyalty lies but apparently some do.

As long as Israel behaves in a manner that's counter-productive to the peace process they're not serving the best interests of the United States and all loyal Americans need to understand that our government must be an advocate for a just peace.
Posted by mcliar at 5:26 AM : Feb 27, 2009


According to the UN, Isreal broke the ceasefire and in fact is on record for having broken the most cease fires of any country EVER. That said, here's a point: it never has made any sense to rebuild what we deliberately destroy. If we want things to remain, we should not bomb them in the first place--to drop bombs only to rebuild is counter productive, stupid, self defeating and expensive and does NOT endear any invader to the people they bombed anyway. It is like an arsonist burning down your home and killing your family, then later pinch hitting for the reconstruction crew, thinking no harm was done--it fools NO ONE.

If we destroy it, let it be destroyed--we could always turn to the cameras and say "We meant to do that" otherwise we waste lots of money rebuilding what we knocked down.

[harbinger19]

In the U.S., Jewish leaders in Clinton's home state of New York have expressed outrage at the alleged criticism leveled by Clinton's state department.

"I liked her a lot more as a senator from New York," State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, D-Brooklyn, told CBS station WCBS-TV in New York. "Now, I wonder as I used to wonder who the real Hillary Clinton is."


What? Israel is holy or something and above criticism? They are not always right and when they are wrong, decent people (even allies) should call them on it. Grow up.

[jsd330]

If we offered israel that 900 million not a word would be said. I say we deduct the 900 million from israels foreign and military aid. I bet there would be protests in the streets of New York.

[ariana_m]

Finally change has come to our foreign policy, no more kowtowing to Israel and Israel's demands. It is about time that we uphold the interest of our country first and provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, you remember the 1300 people who were slaughtered by the Israeli war machine; the F-16 fighter jets, the Apache helicopters courtesy of U.S. tax payers.

I am a New Yorker and am all for Hillary Clinton to use all that she can to bring peace and justice once and for all to the people of Palestine. Bring an end to this illegal occupation!!!

[mikew31907]

I really love the way the news media puts things, apparently one jewish fellow critisizes Hillary and she is being "bashed" well bless her heart!!

[w32e31]

WHEN DOES ISRAEL PAY FOR ITS BRUTAL MURDEROUS ATTACK ON THE USS LIBERTY??? 34 DEAD, 173 WOUNDED AMERICAN SAILORS. TODATE, ZERO DOLLARS HAVE BEEN PAID BY ISRAEL FOR REPARATION.

ISRAEL CANNOT HIDE BEHIND HAMAS ON THIS ONE!

ISRAEL KNEW IT WAS AN AMERICAN SHIP, WATCHED IT FOR HOURS, THEN ATTACKED WITH PLANES, BOATS AND HELICOPTERS. THESE THUGS EVEN SHOT UP EVERY LIFEBOAT. IT ONLY BROKE OFF THE ATTACK, WHEN IT HEARD THAT CINCUSNAVEUR GAVE THE WORD TO TREAT THE ATTACKERS AS HOSTILE.