us4israel: New Obama appointee may hurt Israel

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Pls fw this email to pro-Israel friends in California, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Montana, Maryland,Oklahoma & Utah. Thank you.

News has broken of the impending appointment of Chas W. Freeman Jr. to the chairmanship of the National Intelligence Council.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/02/23/controversy-surrounds-possible-appointment-freeman-nic-chair/.

Freeman was U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia from 1989-1992. Here are quotes (emphasis added) which are characteristic of his hostile attitude towards Israel:

"Those in the region and beyond it who detest Israeli behavior, which is to say almost everyone, now naturally extend their loathing to Americans." (speech at Washington Institute of Foreign Affairs in 2007)

"[T]he Jewish state continues to seize ever more Arab land for its colonists." speech for Middle East Policy Council, Oct. 4, 2007

"Israel excels at war; sadly, it has shown no talent for peace." http://www.spectator.co.uk/melaniephillips/3380291/an-american-addition-to-the-islamists-armoury.thtml

"Tragically, despite all the advantages and opportunities Israel has ... failed to achieve concord and reconciliation with anyone in its region, still less to gain their admiration or affection." http://www.spectator.co.uk/melaniephillips/3380291/an-american-addition-to-the-islamists-armoury.thtml

Freeman has even blamed Israel for 9/11: "We have paid heavily...for our unflinching support ...of Israel's approach to managing its relations with the Arabs. Five years ago (note: statement was made in 2006 -- 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers occurred in 2001) we began to pay with the blood of our citizens here at home." http://www.spectator.co.uk/melaniephillips/3380291/an-american-addition-to-the-islamists-armoury.thtml

Ed Lasky, an editor at The American Thinker, termed Freeman "de facto Saudi Ambassador to America" because of his promotion of the interests of Saudi Arabia and informed that: "He shares Board membership with executives from major multinationals with major markets in Saudi Arabia and the Arab world..." http://www.americanthinker.com/printpage/?url=http://www.americanthinker.com/2006/12/personnel_is_policy_the_case_o.html

There are two reasons for concern. One is with regard to the damage Freeman can do. As chairman of the National Intelligence Council, Freeman would have the major influence on the intelligence briefings presented to the president (remember the damage caused by the National Intelligence Estimate, the NIE, in 2007, which erroneously downplayed the dangers of Iran), and would be called upon often to give direct briefings to the President.

The other reason for concern is what is implied by the appointment of Freeman. A president who seeks to maintain an Israel policy that is even passively benign (not out to hurt Israel) simply does not select someone like Freeman to the top intelligence post -- someone like Freeman to depend upon for securing intelligence information.

It may not be too late to stop this. Also, silence now invites additional problematic appointments later. Please let members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence know how concerned Americans are by the possible appointment of Freeman. Please, address them with courtesy; some are very warmly predisposed to Israel. Phone or fax are better than email. Explain:

Freeman's appointment would be detrimental to the true interests of the US and the Western world.
Freeman would seriously undermine support for the only democracy, and the bastion of Western values, in the Middle East.
Israel is at the forefront of the fight against radical jihadism, which is of concern to all democracies. Israel should not be weakened, as Freeman would seek to do.
Freeman's perceptions of Israel are badly skewed and dangerous.

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Members -- Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

(If you are from California, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Montana, Maryland,Oklahoma or Utah - please contact only YOUR Senator and please inform us4israel@gmail.com that you have done so -- many thanks)

Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Chair of the Committee

Phone: (202) 224-3841 Fax: (202) 228-3954

For e-mail form: http://feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.EmailMe

Christopher (Kit) Bond (R-MO) Vice Chair (important to reach)

Phone: (202) 224-5721

For e-mail form: http://bond.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.ContactForm

Orrin Hatch (R-UT)

Phone: (202) 224-5251 Fax: (202) 224-6331
For e-mail form: http://hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Offices.Contact

Saxby Chambliss (R-GA)

Phone: 202-224-3521 Fax: 202-224-0103
For e-mail form: http://chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs..ContactForm&CFID=6992675&CFTOKEN=44678780

Tom Coburn (R-OK)

Phone: 202-224-5754 Fax: 202-224-6008
For e-mail form: http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSenatorCoburn.Home