Anti-Semitic?

First, how many high-powered, battle scarred, experienced, retired Generals does it take to unscrew a Rumsfeld? As of now six (count 'em) such Generals have said publicly that Rumsfeld is an arrogant, incompetent jerk (well, not in those precise words). It is perfectly obvious there must be many other senior officers who, because they are still on active duty, cannot come out and say the same thing. We know that Murtha, for example, was not only speaking for himself when he said we should rethink our strategy, but also had the ear of many senior military people. Bush continues to ignore any criticism and maintains his claim that Rummy is "doing a heck of a job." Bush is apparently constitutionally unable to accept advice or to admit that he might have made a mistake. This situation can only grow worse.

Two Professors, Mearsheimer (Harvard) and Walt (Chicago) recently published a paper on the Israeli Lobby. Basically, they pointed out that there is such a Lobby and that it has a great deal of influence on American Foreign Policy, particularly in the Middle East. From the response to this paper you might think they said the Jews killed Jesus and ate all the first born babies born in Babylon. They have been roundly accused of Anti-Semitism by virtually everyone.

Is it not the case that Israel is illegally occupying Palestinian land, and has been for years? Is it not the case that they have systematically attempted to take land and water from the Palestinians? Is it not the case they are building an illegal "wall" that will incorporate Palestinian land? Is it not the case they have been and continue to be opposed to the creation of a viable Palestinian State? Is it not the case they have oppressed and humiliated Palestinians for years? Is it not the case that at this very moment they are firing on the Gaza strip, killing civilians at will with their overwhelming military superiority? Is it not the case that Israel has ignored all U.N. resolutions for years on end, far more egregiously than even Sadam Hussein? I could go on but you get the point I am sure.

It is my understanding that at least 25% of Israeli residents are not Jewish. It is also my understanding that American Evangelicals are more supportive of Israel than are many Israelis. It is also the case that many Israelis do not support the policies of their own Administration. So what is it that is Anti-Semitic about criticizing Israel? Personally, I don't care if Israel is populated by Jews, Abyssinians, Ethiopians, or Congo Pygmies, what Israel has been doing, and continues to do to the Palestinians is wrong, criminal, and not much better than genocidal.

If you think there is no Israeli Lobby, and it has no influence on American Policy, I suggest you stop drinking the kool aid and ask yourself why we continue to blindly, uncritically support what has become a criminal regime? It is said that only the U.S. can solve this problem. So why don't we?