pro-Israel activism

Obey retiring, don't expect any tears from some pro-Israel groups

Submitted by James Besser on Wed, 05/05/2010 - 18:25

You can bet some pro-Israel hardliners won't be weeping salt tears over today's announcement by Rep. David Obey, a Wisconsin Democrat and the dean of the congressional appropriations process, that he will be retiring.

But a lot of pro-Israel lobbyists who have worked with him over the years say his departure after 41 years in the House will be a big loss for the nation – and possibly for Israel.

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AIPAC letter reveals: Obama Israel policies making House members nervous

Submitted by James Besser on Thu, 04/01/2010 - 09:10

So AIPAC has convinced some 327 members of the House of Representatives to sign a letter essentially telling the Obama administration to keep its criticisms of the Israeli government private.

Mazel tov; that's an impressive achievement for the pro-Israel lobby group, although it probably didn't take much arm twisting; there's a lot of unease on Capitol Hill about where this administration's Mideast policy is headed.

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J Street Facing Stiff Challenges Amid Rapid Rise

As attacks continue, new pro-Israel, pro-peace process group seeks to arouse a Jewish silent majority

10/14/2009

James Besser

Washington correspondent

Delegates to the upcoming national conference by J Street, the group that has become the favorite target of a furious pro-Israel establishment, will face both their organization’s exhilarating rise — and eroding commitment to Israel-related issues by the very Jews it hopes to attract to its ranks.