Code Pink Tricks AIPAC, Media
| Mon Mar. 22, 2010 12:58 PM PDT
"Holy Crap," I thought when my editor forwarded me today's AIPAC press release, supposedly calling for a freeze on Israeli settlements. It turns out the statement, which would have been a massive departure from traditional AIPAC policies, was a stunt orchestrated by the anti-everything activist organization Code Pink. I wasn't the only person who got punk'd: NPR, C-SPAN and Al Jazeera all ran with the story before news broke that it was false.
Code Pink has so far refused to admit how they pulled it off. But it's clear that the press release was sent from a fake email address mirroring that of AIPAC media director Josh Block: block@aipac.org. His real email is jblock@aipac.org.
For much of the past fifty years, AIPAC has gained massive support in the American Jewish community. But as Israeli policy toward Palestinians became increasingly out of step with American liberals, Jews began taking a softer approach to the debate. As Robert Dreyfuss explained last September for Mother Jones, these liberals have mounted a challenge to the AIPAC hegemony under the banner of J Street, the self-proclaimed "pro-Israel, pro-peace" lobby. Today's statement would have been a momentus agreement between the foes on a national security matter.
Advertisement
Advertisement
In reality, AIPAC has strongly opposed the Obama administration's recent criticism of Israeli settlements. Last week, the real Josh Block released (pdf)a statement demanding that Obama "work to immediately defuse the tension with Israel." Meanwhile, J Street penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal in support of the Obama administration's stance.
The stunt is consistent with the growing trend among activists to hijack corporations by releasing false policy statements that force the a company to explain a politically unpopular position. This has been most famously employed by the Yes Men, who last October released a statement, supposedly on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, announcing belief in Global Warming. It didn't take long for the Chamber to reaffirm its denialist position.
With prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington this week to discuss settlements, the stunt was perfectly timed. But unless AIPAC follows the Chamber's example and sues Code Pink, don't expect this story to have the same impact or receive the same exposure as the Yes Men's hoax.
Comments
Fraudulent misrepresentation
Submitted by fwdpost on Mon Mar. 22, 2010 1:36 PM PDT.
Unfortunately, Code Pink is suffering from the theory that anything justifies their ends. We do ourselves no good service by lies to promote our ideology, because such conclusions are colored by the means we used to gain our position.
As for Gaza, it is odd that Europe pays half the budget of Hamas in that odd enclave, while Arab countries pontificate, but have no funds, no land and no love for these rocket-blasting maniacs. Even Egypt blockades Gaza and closes their tunnels as though they know of dangers best judged Code Red.
Hamas is the legitimate
Submitted by leafsong1 (not verified) on Tue Mar. 23, 2010 7:04 AM PDT.
Hamas is the legitimate government of Palestine and entrusted with the impossible task of defending the Palestinian people from Israeli aggression and oppression. A just nation, unlike our own, would send all the aid now going to Israel to Hamas instead. Israel is not only fully capable of defending themselves, they are willing and capable of expanding their territory in violation of international law. Clearly, Israel recieves far too much aid from the US.
Pink Panthers
Submitted by boredwell on Mon Mar. 22, 2010 9:10 PM PDT.
With regards to CODE PINK'S tactics, I remain acquiescent though I can empathize with their intent. AIPAC is joined at the hip with Israel; its life force her policies. This shared homeostasis strengthens their defense and offense mechanism to fend off all would-be attackers. Whether the pushback against certain Israeli policies is derogatory or interrogatory, whether generated by the MSM or individuals, AIPAC admonishes all who criticize. Its Israel as right-never-wrong spin doctoring alienates in an attempt to obstruct public debate. In demonizing and diminishing counter points, AIPAC sacrifices reason for sentiment. The issues surrounding the Palestinian "conflict" are complex and combustive. They can not be reduced to a common denominator and should be subject to intense scrutiny to effect transparency and legitimacy; and to arrive at, most importantly, objectivity. AIPAC continues to intentionally promote an obscurantist POV which produces a zero sum result. Hopefully, J STREET, a moderating voice in the wilderness of Israeli-Palestinian relations, will rise to the occasion as a stop gap to AIPAC's lobbying efforts.
Post new comment
MoJo Comments: Send Us Your Feedback
We changed our spam software to better filter comments. Should you encounter any issues, please let us know.
