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The U.S. "Condemnation" of Israel: Facts and Perspective Needed
(The Hill) Lanny Davis - Full disclosure: I support a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians - consistent with Israel's security. But even I, a strong supporter of the peace process, was shocked when I heard my own government "condemn" Israel and "summon" its ambassador to the State Department shortly before the Sabbath last Friday to be read a harsh letter of condemnation by the department's second-highest official. And if that isn't enough, statements were immediately leaked to the press indicating that the U.S.-Israel "relationship" was "at risk." How could the U.S. government use such language about a democracy that has been America's most loyal ally in the world on virtually all issues, a nation that shares our core values - protecting civil rights, women's rights, due process and free speech - not only for Israeli citizens, but for over one million Israeli Arabs as well? The writer was former special counsel to President Clinton in 1996-98.