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Mark Wilson / Getty Images file
Defense nominee Chuck Hagel is a decorated Vietnam combat veteran.
ANALYSIS
TEL AVIV, Israel — Even before he was nominated to become the next U.S. secretary of defense, the bad-mouthing of former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel had already begun.
Warnings flew like salvos across the U.S. media and beyond: Hagel is soft on Iran and no friend of Israel. Tea Party and Republican critics of the moderate and pragmatic Hagel smelled blood.
Ted Cruz, a freshman senator from Texas, said that Hagel "would make war with Iran more likely because he's too nice to Iran."
Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said Hagel would be "the most antagonistic secretary of defense towards the state of Israel in our nation's history."
So you would expect to see the vitriol flowing here in Israel, especially just days before a crucial parliamentary election — on Jan. 22 — in which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is struggling to head off a late populist surge by an even more right-wing candidate.
But there have been no anti-Hagel protests outside the U.S. Embassy and no angry Israelis heard on radio talk shows. In fact, reaction to all the uproar back home has been muted.
'Dark cloud'
It's true that Israelis in general aren't happy with the nomination. "It represents a dark cloud over the relationship between the two countries, and it borders on hostility," said Simon Schiffer, a political analyst with the Yediot Ahronot daily newspaper.
Hagel's willingness to engage with Iran and its client, Hamas, upsets most Israelis, Schiffer noted. But he went on to say that “U.S. policy towards Israel is set in the White House, and there you can find today a president who has a very warm approach to Israel but at the same time a very angry and cold policy towards Netanyahu and his government.”
Related: Hagel — a man without a party
So far, Israeli government reaction has been minimal and mixed. Reuven Rivlin, the powerful speaker of Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, told The Associated Press he is worried about Hagel "because of his statements in the past and his stance toward Israel."
But Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, wrapping up a trip to the U.S., told a group of major Jewish organizations that he personally knew and worked with Hagel and found him to be "a decent and fair interlocutor who believes in the natural partnership between Israel and the United States."
Until Sunday there had been not a peep from Netanyahu himself, whose "iron fist" approach to Iran, Hamas and the Palestinian territories seems diametrically opposed to Hagel's instinct for dialogue.
"I do not interfere in the political appointments of the U.S. president. It is his prerogative,'' Netanyahu told Israel's Army Radio. "Congress decides and confirms, and we will work with whoever is chosen.''
One Israeli official told NBC News that Netanyahu's silence doesn't mean he's not angry.
After making the mistake of “backing the wrong horse — [Gov. Mitt] Romney — during the last U.S. election, he's not willing to play that game again,” said the official, who was not authorized to speak on the record about policy matters.
'Revenge' for Romney?
Sever Plocker, an influential Israeli commentator, went further by suggesting that Obama picked Hagel as “revenge” for Netanyahu's public support for Romney.
Hagel hasn't yet defended his positions before the U.S. Senate, but he has faced the court of public opinion, emphasizing in recent days his "unequivocal support for Israel." On Iran, he told Defense Department officials Wednesday that he also strongly "supports multilateral sanctions against Iran and that Tehran must be prevented from acquiring nuclear warheads."
Hagel may have gotten into some hot water with a comment — made years ago in Washington — that “the political reality is that …the Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people up here.” But on Monday one of the largest and most active of those "Jewish lobbies" -- the National Jewish Democratic Council -- released a statement saying it believes Hagel “will follow the president's lead in providing unrivaled support for Israel — on strategic cooperation, missile defense programs and leading the world against Iran's nuclear program.”
The consensus here is that Netanyahu may enjoy watching Hagel fight for his nomination in Washington, but staying out of the fight is probably a smart move.
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Any anti Israel appointment is a mistake Rep or Dem, thats why Obama is a mistake (no friend of Israel)
You were a huge mistake!!!
Dubbie, is that you? How does it feel being reduced to a comment or two on MSNBC? LMAO...
BTW, dealing with the fascist regime in Israel is WAY overdue...
Just a quick question for all you baby Bush supporters...You are seriously ok with being blatantly lied to about the presence of WMD's in Iraq? How funny! And how telling lol!
PS: Im not affiliated with any party primarily because I dont treat political parties like sports teams and neither are you required to. I know I dont have to remain loyal to one side win or lose. I have the intelligence and reasoning power to choose whichever candidates I believe most represent my ideals and belief systems. I happened to think Bush was a worm but that doesnt mean I hate all Republicans. I also happened to think Clinton should have kept his pants zipped up but that doesnt mean I hate all democrats. I think there are good and reasonable people in both parties. The difficulty is weeding those few out from all the terribly bad. (Oh and I guess I think Mitt Romney is a joke! He told way too many blatant lies during his campaign. I was actually a little embarrassed for him lol!)
Guess the liberals who also approved of going to war believed it too. But I guess that's different.
And the US is avoiding any public fight over Israel's choice of Defense Minister.
Why nothing about Rand Paul going to Israel last week and telling them if had anything to do with it, he'd slash funding from Israel? Shouldn't the GOP be attacking him?
?????????????
Israei government needs to grow up and become a little more mature to understand that getting along is much better than always fighting and killing each other. By the way this is America. Last time i checked, we were making our own decisions not others. Also enough of playing the victim crap, it has been played too long but people are not stupid, they know who is doing what.
Anyone who questions Israel about anything they do is immediately accused of antisemitism, I think the vast majority of Americans are incredibly supportive or Israel, but we are getting sick and tired of every time someone disagrees with them that they pull the Jewish card and refuse to have a conversation about their actions. Every person makes mistakes, so do Jews, Every person's country has problems, so does Israel. Calling everyone who wants to talk about it an anti-semit is fine, but it's getting the world no where.
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You might want to read some of the comments on this thread. Most of whom would claim that they are NOT anti-semites or have Anti-Semetic tendencies at all. The vast majority of posts on this thread disgust me with their hatred.
we are called satan because we run every time israel needs money or a super power that does their bidding. 10 billion dollars a year in aid, never to be repaid. any technology they either steal or are given by us so they can steal land from palestinians who have nothing but rocks to protect themselves. when the tide turns, god help us.
Brenda,
I think fedup is in love.
Hagel spoke the truth. That does not make him an anti-Semite. Anybody who knows more than the media's twisted version of the facts knows he spoke the truth. I'm so tired of people playing the anti-Semite race card anytime there is opposition to the Israeli lobby's manipulation of American policy. The Israeli Mossad is notorious for black ops designed to manipulate international politics and world view. It's high time our government starts putting American's first the same way Israel puts it's people first.
Does anyone remember the skinny dipping incident last summer
in the Sea of Galilee by Rep. Kevin Yoder?
That booze cruise for 30 republican representatives was paid for by
Israeli interests. I couldn’t care less
that he dipped his wick in the water.
But doesn’t it offend anybody that this was paid for by a foreign
country and these people will be making decisions for the citizens of the USA?
I think Hagel might be right.
Hmmmmm since when has engagement with a group you may or may not have issues with is being soft ??? Before the bush and republican idea of endless war ( ofcourse the repubs themselves and their families wont do any of the fighting ) conversations which could possibly escape the horrors of war were desirable. Former congressman from Harlem , Mr. Rangel thought the same. So he tried to reinstate the draft so that not only America`s working class sons and daughters would`nt have to continue to carry the burden of defending this great nation. I know, he was drummed out of congress, but his legislation was an honorable one. Something President Kennedy would have in my opinion supported. We need a Kennedy back in the white house.
rangle is a crook and still in congress!!!
Where did you serve???
Charlie Rangels' service in Congress was honorable?????? ROFLMFAO.....One of the MOST Corrupt Politicians in our time!! Did you just arrive from MARS???????? And you want a Kennedy back in the WH??? Better start digging, because the ones left are IDIOTS!!!!
Israel, knows where the reident Oval Office Muslim stands on their country.
Soooo tired of this third grade stupidity of yours!!!!!!!!
It is none of Israel's business who our secretary of defense is; they do not like him because he made the comment that Israel often has too much influence in our Congress. That statement is true. We cater to them. They are an ally and we should support them but we should not conduct our foreign policy to suit them. And don't forget, a number of years ago they were caught spying on us. Our ally was spying on us, trying to accumulate our classified information. Support them when they are threatened, yes. Let them dictate our foreign policy, no. Chuck Hagel will be an excellent Secretary of Defense. The fact that the Republicans oppose him means he's a great pick.
Just another example of Obozo throwing Israel under the bus. He hates Jews as much as the US Constitution.
We the people, are so tired of your stupid drivel, give it a rest!!!!
Why are we so concerned what Israel thinks about who the President nominate to his cabinet? America doesn't dictate to them who to put in their offices. In fact they even tried persuading America to vote for Romney and that went over like a lead ballon. Hagel is a good choice for the Defense Dept and America.
All the more for Hagel's nomination
Israel has scammed us taxpayers for far too long. Two state solution is a must.
I disagree Rob. As far as I am concerned, Israel has yet to prove that their claim on that land is more valid than the Palestinians. The ONLY prove they have is the Jewish Old Testiment and the historical accuracy of that has been questioned. But even if true, it does NOT convey legal deed. If that were the case we need to give Europe back to the Druids and the Americans back to the Native Americans and Africa back to the Africans, etc. The lands of all of them were given by their Gods and all were the object of genocide by Christian invaders.
So...lets convene the World Court and have Israel present its case. If it cannot, the people of Israel need to pack up and get the hell out!! This crime against humanity has gone on long enough!!!
Israel should stay out of the way. For the size of their nation, they have WAY too much to say. We "give" them $3 billion a year despite their 1st world status and we get nothing in return except words of solidarity, ally and an unsolicited offensive pin placed on the lapel of our President. An Israeli leader with his classless pins and drawing bomb diagrams for the ignorant gentiles to understand at the UN........ disgustingly rude and offensive. The AIPAC lobbyists in Washington need to be stopped from pressuring every U.S. President into supporting Israel at any cost. CNN's wonderful exposé called "God's Warriors" found on youtube, video 4&5 tell it all. When Israel is asked what does the U.S. get in return for their $3 billion yearly, they had no response. Our much needed tax dollars must be kept at home. If Israel cannot and will not attain peace with their neighbors as the "new kid on the block", let them suffer the consequences but without our money. When they at least offer or reach out to reciprocate, we could call them a "friend". Did their doctors come for Katrina? Did they come after Sandy? Did they even offer to send their skilled kibbutz workers with their experience to help out with our drought stricken fields? It's ALL about them and our paid government needs to realize that MOST of us are not willing to continue to spend "our" money and lives on their affairs.
Israel actually has a part in who we place on the Presidents Cabinet? Seriously? We do understand what this implies?
Hagel is a good choice for S.o.S.! He can do the job, and do it very well, i firmly believe that! Israel, on the other hand, has NO place in our politics!!! This country has spoon fed them since the end of W.W. 2, time to stop that nonsense!!! This country of ours, is hurting so badly right now, we can no longer afford to give away money we simply do not have! Israel, and every other country that sucks the money teet of America, needs to survive, or die on their own. We are dying ourselves, lets help us first!!!!
Then ask Obama to stop sending FUNDS to the Muslim Brotherhood , HAMAS and Hezbollah!!!
Uh, he was nominated for Sec of Defense, and not SoS.
Oh boy, i got the D wrong, shoot me!!!!!
Mud er hate in Madville, stop hating already, you loser LOST, time to get over yourself!!!!
Like it or not...perfect or imperfect...the US has a single ally in the ME....ISRAEL! Period. Even the Egyptians and Libyans are saying that Obama has "been had" with his support of the Muslim Brotherhood. I didn't see any posts objecting to his Multi-Billion $$$$ "Gifts" to these TERRORISTS. Just a lot Anti-Semitic prattle by a bunch of ignorant libs who have probably never left their Home States, and only know what they get from MSNBC.....
Get your head out of Rush's ass, already! Americans are fed up with your third grade stupidity!!!!
Why are you so obsessed or enamored with third grade?
You keep using that as your go to insult.
Did you only make it to second?
(get some new material)
Yes, once again, obama is showing his support for Israel. And you think he doesn't talk out both sides of his mouth? Hagel may be a good choice for some, but not for us and Israel.
Yes, once again, obama is showing support for the middle class. Just received my paycheck and it's $100 less thanks to new taxes.
Yes, once again, obama is showing support for the American taxpayer - that's why his inauguration jam will cost us all over $100,000,000.
Thanks libs and repubs for another four years of higher taxes from spending, vacations, and BS.
Your taxes are higher because the GOP wouldn't extend the payroll tax holiday. Call the Orange Boner and cry!
Heron, Heron, back on your mommy's computor again spreading lies. Both parties agreed to end the tax holiday. Stick to playing with your dolls.
Many of you are stupid redneck $h!ts
I find it fascinating that you call out "muslim" this or that and "Israel" this or that but you couldn't find the middle east or even Israel on blank map if your life depended on it.
Bunch of dumb $h!ts.
Bravo!!!! Even I couldn't find them on a "blank" Map, but I understand your frustration with idiotic drool on subjects they can never really comprehend.
Show true class on the part of Israel.
wha ????? class and israel don't belong in the same sentence ..... The israelis are absolutely CRASS and not classy at all .... I know. I've been there.
joe haS work now because obama is running
can you say "NEW WORLD ORDER"
watch them progressives like a hawk, they have a plan.
Please, oh please won't you take off that tin foil hat? Just for once, open your own eye's!!!!
against. You little paranoid kid! Now go play with one of your metal penises.
see the progressives are out and still try to deny their agenda of a new world order.