Israel firster

The first Mr. Hasbara: Mike Wallace’s 1958 talk with Abba Eban

On the country’s 10th birthday, Israel’s ambassador to Washington touched on issues that remain on the political agenda half a century later: His government’s territorial ambitions, the refugee problem and Israel’s expectations of the American Jewish community. Mike Wallace, the legendary host of 60 minutes who passed away on Saturday, interviewed in 1958 Israel’s ambassador…

By Noam Sheizaf April 9, 2012

‘Israel-firster’ in context: A response to rightist ‘pro-Israel’ rhetoric

I wrote a piece in Haaretz yesterday entitled “The downside of unbridled support for Israel” (see below) disputing the claims that “Israel firster” is an antisemitic term, to which journalist Eli Lake commented in a tweet that it “has nothing to do with Israelis. They should stay out of it.” Well, first of all, I am…

By Mairav Zonszein January 28, 2012

The Right’s handbook on American-Jewish loyalty

Jerusalem Post’s deputy editor wants Jews to put Israel before the interests of their own country, while Daily Beast’s Eli Lake demands that Israelis stay out of the debate on Israel There is a heated debate going on in the US regarding the application of the term “Israeli Firster,” meaning a person who puts Israel’s…

By Noam Sheizaf January 28, 2012

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Obama’s campaign video is ‘Israel firster’ material

As part of its bid to counter Republican attacks on its “pro-Israel” record, the Obama Administration has publicized its first campaign video directly addressing its treatment of Israel entitled: “America and Israel: An Unbreakable Bond.” [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izUkZpTft2w[/youtube] The fact that the Obama Administration feels it must recruit the Prime Minister, Defense Minister and Israeli Ambassador —…

By Mairav Zonszein January 22, 2012