From: anwar+@cs.cmu.edu (Anwar Mohammed)
Newsgroups: talk.politics.mideast
Subject: Re: ADC CHALLENGES WALL ST JOURNAL
Date: 16 Apr 92 19:24:29 GMT
Organization: School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon

In article <10747@crackers.clearpoint.com> martillo@stars.clearpoint.com (Joachim Martillo) writes:
>In article <1992Apr14.210610.173162@cs.cmu.edu> anwar+@cs.cmu.edu (Anwar Mohammed) writes:
>>In article <1992Apr14.181316.13585@apollo.hp.com> goykhman_a@apollo.hp.com (Alex Goykhman) writes:
>
>>>    The article did mention that OAKAR BOUNCED 213 CHECKS, and made 
>>>    it to the list of the twenty two worst "Rubbergate" offenders.
>>>    She was also the chairman of a subcommittee that oversaw the
>>>    House Bank's personnel policies.  
>
>>Let's see...Larry Smith, Stephen Solarz are both also on the list
>>(Smith may have *just* missed the 22, but Solarz bounced hundreds...way, 
>>WAY MORE that Oakar).  They are the staunchest supporters of Israel in 
>>the House.  Just what is your point?
>
>Actually, Solarz is also one of the staunchest supporters of India and
>the effort to liberate Kuwait.  Solarz is Jewish, but his political
>behavior stems from a fundamental commitment to internationalism and not
>from some sort of primitive tribalism.  Israel has some major problems
>and the very existence of India as a nation state is an offense against
>human decency, but Israel and India have historically managed to present
>themselves in a manner which can appeal to internationalists. 

If Solarz were a dedicated internationalist, there would be little
explanation for his continued support for Israeli policies.  My 
reasoning is as follows:

Internationalists (of the Western, not Marxist variety) have in 
the last 40 years or so acted in a manner consistent with the
goal of resisting the spread of Communism.  Saudi Arabia and 
Israel have both figured significantly in this.  The Saudi's 
have done a much better job at presenting themselves to internationalists 
than the Israelis ever did...until recently.  Saudi Arabia managed 
to reach secret (and sound, PR-wise) security agreements with the 
West and still *appear* to have the flexibility to act against 
U.S. interests.  This type of low-key relationship holds much 
more appeal for the Nixons, Bushes, and Kissingers of the world...
especially when they have to deal with persistent isolationist 
forces in their own organization.  Israel, whether or not this 
reflects reality, has appeared to live largely on the American's 
backs.  (Of course, Saudi money figures in well for them.)

This, of course, will change in some interesting ways in the aftermath
of Desert Storm and the collapse of Communism.  The Saudis appear to 
be working it to their advantage, the Israelis do not...

Having said all that, it would seem that Solarz the internationalist 
should understand the benefits of working to change Israeli policies.  
However, Solarz the politician has a decidedly pro-Israel constituency,
and has acted accordingly.  Notice that I am not assuming that his
support for Israel comes from his Jewishness.


>
>Arab/Islamic oriented regimes by way of contrast are invariably
>completely offensive to political figures with an internationalist
>inclination.  And of course, Arab/Islamic oriented regimes and
>organizations commit far more heinous and murderous crimes against Arab
>people than Israel and the Zionists have ever committed or dreamed of
>committing against Arab people. 
>
>Oaker's role in oversight of the Bank's personnel policies makes her
>check-bouncing perhaps rather more noteworthy than that of other
>Congressmen. 

Indeed, possibly.  However, again, this has little to do with the 
highlighted statements in the article and the ADC's complaints.

>
>>Oh, and please refrain from calling me a 'check-bouncer-apologist'
>>a la your Sheikh Zayed escapades :-)
>
>>Anwar Mohammed                           Graduate Student
>
>Joachim Carlo Santos Martillo Ajami


-- 
Anwar Mohammed                           Graduate Student
anwar+@cs.cmu.edu  (NeXTmail welcome!)   School of Computer Science
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