ZOA

WASHINGTON (JTA) -- Don't expect a familiar American echo now that West Bank settlers are gearing up to fight the possible extension of Israel’s settlement freeze.

Activists on the left and right in Israel usually get their allies in the American Jewish community to fight for the cause of the day with congressional lobbying and protests to Israeli and American officials.

The Zionist Organization of America, known for its rapid-fire, aggressive style of political action, has been rebuked by the leading pro-Israel lobby group for turning its sights on Jordan, a top U.S. and Israeli ally.
ZOA recently engaged in a “gratuitous attack on Jordan’s eligibility for U.S. assistance,” according to Lonnie Kaplan, president of the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee, and executive director Howard Kohr.

Indyk Blasts ZOA President

A top State Department official, criticized for hiring a pro-Palestinian activist, fired back with both barrels this week. Speaking before the Anti-Defamation League leadership conference on Monday, Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs Martin Indyk read an angry statement defending his hiring of Joseph Zogby, a young lawyer and the son of longtime Arab-American leader James Zogby.