Israel Lobby Congressional Junkets ?as Usual
October 20, 2006
By Terry Walz, CNI Staff
PoliticalMoneyLine, a watchdog group that follows money in politics, reported on its website that while congressional travel spending has significantly dropped this election year from levels attained in 2003, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee (AIPAC) continues to spend freely on congressional junkets it runs to Israel . The junkets are underwritten by the American Israel Education Foundation (AIEF), which is the 501(c)(3) wing of AIPAC.
In the period between July 2005 and July 2006, it spent $583,131 in travel expenses, sponsoring 62 trips to Israel for lawmakers, their relatives, and congressional staff. This was about one-third the entire amount spent on congressional travel that was reported for the whole year. In January, a CNI alert discussed the threat to these AIPAC trips as part of the new legislation curbing the funding provided by lobbies. The legislation, when it passed, turned toothless by the time it reached its final form.
According to Kimberly Geiger who reported on these developments for SFgate.com, the average cost is about $8,000 per person ?hardly lavish for a trip that includes first-class airfare, hotel, and food expenses for a one-week trip, but probably more than most ordinary citizens can afford. The CNI Foundation, for example, is able to take delegations to the Middle East at the cost of $200 a day, albeit travel is not first-class nor are the accommodations four-star.
A spokesman for the AIEF, was reported in the SFgate.com saying that the trips were "considered among the most substantive, educational and valuable trips available for members of Congress," and were not intended to be used as a lobbying outing.
"While in Israel, members have the opportunity to meet with Israeli and Palestinian officials, journalists, academics, political leaders꿫ear from speakers representing diverse views across the political spectrum and get a personal, firsthand view of issues." Increasingly those issues include homeland security and defense, and dissident views are few and far between.
However, the annual boatload of Republican and Democratic congressional visitors wasn't launched as usual this year, possibly because the Israel war on Hezbollah, which broke out in July and lasted more than a month, made it too dangerous for the congressmen to feel happy visiting the country. Many of them were busy in Washington endorsing the Congressional resolutions supporting Israel 's war effort, which passed in July by huge margins. Nonetheless, Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV), one of Israel 's greatest devotees, flew over for a weekend August 20-23 on the tab of the Tel Aviv University American Council at the cost of $5,920. Purpose: "meeting with government officials during Israel/Lebanon crisis."
So did another devotee, Jerry Nadler (D-NY), who made a week's visit in August funded by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York ($6,744) for the purpose of gaining "firsthand experience of Israel in the context of the Middle East conflict." He traveled with Anthony Weiner (D-NY), another key Israel supporter in Congress, also funded by the Jewish Community Relations Council ($6,480), whose purpose was "fact finding mission re: Israel defending itself against Hezbollah."
Other private foundations allied with the Israel lobby fund travel to Israel . Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) went in January during which he spent $9,290 underwritten by the World Jewish Congress (American section). He works tirelessly on the Hill on Israel 's behalf. During 2006 alone, he supported on February 15 the resolution (S.Con.Res.79) calling for no direct United States assistance to any Palestinian government that does not recognize Israel; on April 5 joined the resolution (H.Con.Res.370) demanding that Saudi Arabia "live up to its WTO commitments" and end any boycott of Israel; on April 26, supported the Iran Freedom Support Act (H.R.282), which provides funding for Iran's anti-government "pro-democracy" supporters; and on May 22, supported the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act (H.R. 4861) that drastically curtails aid to the Palestinians, movement of Palestinians officials in this country, and any official contact between the U.S. and the Hamas-led government. In July he co-sponsored the resolution (H.R.921) supporting Israel 's attack on Lebanon .
Rarely do the congressional visitors meet any Palestinians or even see the Wall, even though a visit to President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority is sometimes said to be scheduled. Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), who went in August 2005 (costing $8,864), said she agreed to go because her delegation was supposed to meet with President Abbas and other Palestinian officials, but that part of the trip was canceled after she arrived. "The experience only furthered my belief that this (Bush) administration's Middle Eastern policy has been a failure, and that achieving peace will require the U.S. to engage at the highest diplomatic levels as an honest broker," she told Geiger.
High placed visits to Iraq , Egypt , or anywhere in the Middle East are never considered complete without a scheduled stop in Israel . Thus a visit to Iraq by the influential Senate Armed Forces Committee in October, including Sen. John Warner(R-VA), Carl Levin (D-MI), Jess Sessions (R-AL) and Mark Prior (D-AR) also stopped in Israel to meet with the Israeli prime minister, the foreign and defense ministers. Who can doubt the links between Israel and the American prosecution of the war on Iraq ?
Politicians who have been reprimanded for straying from the Israel lobby line are now required to atone for their sins by visiting Israel . After he complained to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice about the undue loss of life in Lebanon , Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) paid an immediate visit to Israel to make amends. He told the Washington Jewish Week that the trip 뱑einforced my ongoing commitment to ensuring Israel survives and thrives in a very dangerous neighborhood.?span style=""> The AIEF sponsored the trip, and an AIPAC staffer accompanied Van Hollen, should he fail to get the message.
This being an election year, politicians wishing to launch careers or having ambitions for high political office pay a de rigeur visit go to Israel. Former Virginia governor Mark R. Warner, went in April ?before he dropped out ?because, as his spokesman explained, he hadn't visited the country in 10 years. He scheduled meetings with Ehud Olmert, as well as with King Abdullah II of Jordan ?but not with any Palestinian 뻕nd took time to visit the Lebanese border, Golan Heights and to the Wailing Wall, the arrangements being made by AIPAC, which nonetheless didn't fund the trip. Thomas Kean Jr., who is running for senator in New Jersey , also made his obeisance to Israel in April.
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Dutiful Congress
Politicians who have been reprimanded for straying from the Israel lobby line are now required to atone for their sins by visiting Israel . After he complained to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice about the undue loss of life in Lebanon , Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) paid an immediate visit to Israel to make amends. He told the Washington Jewish Week that the trip 뱑einforced my ongoing commitment to ensuring Israel survives and thrives in a very dangerous neighborhood.?span style=""> The AIEF sponsored the trip, and an AIPAC staffer accompanied Van Hollen, should he fail to get the message.
This makes me sick.
What You don't Know Is Killing Other People
If that makes you sick, you should read how they treat the Palestinians.
Read my book and its sequel at www.holylandunveiled.com to get a full view of the destruction there as of last year before the ongoing military assault on Gaza and the destruction of Lebanon.
The Holy Land Unveiled
Go to Gaza.
Read my book and its sequel at www.holylandunveiled.com to get a full view of the destruction there as of last year before the ongoing military assault on Gaza and the destruction of Lebanon.
The Holy Land Unveiled
Go to Gaza.
Look at this Jane Harman enlisted AIPAC to place her as the head of the intelligence committee.
The Department of Justice is investigating whether Rep. Jane Harman and the pro-Israel group worked together to get her reappointed as the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee
Did a Democratic member of Congress improperly enlist the support of a major pro-Israel lobbying group to try to win a top committee assignment? That's the question at the heart of an ongoing investigation by the FBI and Justice Department prosecutors, who are examining whether Rep. Jane Harman of California and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) may have violated the law in a scheme to get Harman reappointed as the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, according to knowledgeable sources in and out of the U.S. government.
The sources tell TIME that the investigation by Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which has simmered out of sight since about the middle of last year, is examining whether Harman and AIPAC arranged for wealthy supporters to lobby House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi on Harman's behalf. Harman said Thursday in a voicemail message that any investigation of — or allegation of improper conduct by — her would be "irresponsible, laughable and scurrilous." On Friday, Washington GOP super lawyer Ted Olson left voicemail messages underscoring that Harman has no knowledge of any investigation. "Congresswoman Harman has asked me to follow up on calls you've had," Olson said. "She is not aware of any such investigation, does not believe that it is occurring, and wanted to make sure that you and your editors knew that as far as she knows, that's not true... . No one from the Justice Department has contacted her." It is not, however, a given that Harman would know that she is under investigation. In a follow-up phone call from California, Olson said Harman hired him this morning because she takes seriously the possibility of a media report about an investigation of her, even though she does not believe it herself.
A spokesman for AIPAC, a powerful Washington-based organization with more than 100,000 members across the U.S., denied any wrongdoing by the group and stressed that it is not taking sides in regards to the committee assignment. Spokespersons for Justice and the FBI declined to comment
The case is a spin-off of a probe that has already led to charges under the Espionage Act against two AIPAC lobbyists, whose case is still pending, and to a 12-and-a-half-year prison sentence for former Defense Intelligence Agency official Lawrence A. Franklin. Franklin pleaded guilty a year ago to three felony counts involving improper disclosure and handling of classified information about the Middle East and terrorism to the two lobbyists, who in turn are accused of passing it on to a journalist and a foreign government, widely believed to be Israel. The two lobbyists, who have denied any wrongdoing but were dismissed by AIPAC in April of 2005, were indicted on felony counts of conspiring with government officials to receive classified information they were not authorized to have access to and providing national defense information to people not entitled to receive it.
Around mid-2005, the investigation expanded to cover aspects of Harman's quiet but aggressive campaign to persuade House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to reappoint her to the prestigious position on the House intel panel. The alleged campaign to support Harman for the leadership post came amid media reports that Pelosi had soured on her California colleague and might name Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida, himself a major supporter of Israel, to succeed Harman.
The sources say the probe also involves whether, in exchange for the help from AIPAC, Harman agreed to help try to persuade the Administration to go lighter on the AIPAC officials caught up in the ongoing investigation. If that happened, it might be construed as an illegal quid pro quo, depending on the context of the situation. But the sources caution that there has been no decision to charge anyone and that it is unclear whether Harman and AIPAC acted on the idea.
AIPAC spokesman Patrick Dorton denies that the organization has engaged in any improper conduct. "Both Congressman Hastings and Congresswoman Harman are strong leaders on issues of importance to the pro-Israel community and would be exemplary Democratic leaders for the House intelligence committee," Dorton said. "AIPAC would never engage in a quid pro quo in relation to a federal investigation or any federal matter and the notion that it would do so is preposterous. AIPAC is not aware that the Justice Department is looking into issues involving the intelligence committee, and has not been asked any questions or contacted by the government on this matter, but certainly would cooperate with any inquiry." Dorton added that AIPAC has previously been assured that the organization and its current employees are not being investigated.
In this same investigation, the Justice Department has previously suggested that AIPAC had questionable motives in trying to help a valued government contact remain in a sensitive national security post. The Justice Department alleges in its indictment of Franklin that he asked one of the two AIPAC lobbyists to "put in a good word" for him in seeking assignment to the National Security Council. The document says the AIPAC official noted that such a job would put Franklin "by the elbow of the President" and said he would "do what I can."
AIPAC lists praise from Pelosi among a series of quotes from world leaders on its website: "The special relationship between the United States and Israel is as strong as it is because of your [AIPAC's] fidelity to that partnership..." But congressional sources say Pelosi has been infuriated by pressure from some major donors lobbying on behalf of Harman. In a story touching on tensions between Pelosi and Harman, an alternative California publication, LA Weekly, reported in May that Harman "had some major contributors call Pelosi to impress upon her the importance of keeping Jane in place. According to these members, this tactic, too, hasn't endeared Harman to Pelosi."
A congressional source tells TIME that the lobbbying for Harman has included a phone call several months ago from entertainment industry billionaire and major Democratic party contributor Haim Saban. A Saban spokeswoman said he could not be reached for comment. A phone call pushing for a particular member's committee assignment might be unwelcome, but it would not normally be illegal on its own. And it is unclear whether Saban — who made much of his fortune with the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers children's franchise — knew that lobbying Pelosi might be viewed by others as part of a larger alleged plan.
Saban has donated at least $3,000 to Harman's campaign, according to Federal Election Commission records, and the Saban Center for Middle East Policy, which he sponsors at the prestigious Brookings Institution, boasts Harman among its biggest fans. "When the Saban Center talks, I listen," Harman said at a Saban Center briefing in February on U.S. strategy in Iraq. Harman quipped that, in order to attend the session at Brookings, she had to "blow off" a senior intelligence official's appearance before a House committee.
The Department of Justice is investigating whether Rep. Jane Harman and the pro-Israel group worked together to get her reappointed as the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee
Did a Democratic member of Congress improperly enlist the support of a major pro-Israel lobbying group to try to win a top committee assignment? That's the question at the heart of an ongoing investigation by the FBI and Justice Department prosecutors, who are examining whether Rep. Jane Harman of California and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) may have violated the law in a scheme to get Harman reappointed as the top Democrat on the House intelligence committee, according to knowledgeable sources in and out of the U.S. government.
The sources tell TIME that the investigation by Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which has simmered out of sight since about the middle of last year, is examining whether Harman and AIPAC arranged for wealthy supporters to lobby House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi on Harman's behalf. Harman said Thursday in a voicemail message that any investigation of — or allegation of improper conduct by — her would be "irresponsible, laughable and scurrilous." On Friday, Washington GOP super lawyer Ted Olson left voicemail messages underscoring that Harman has no knowledge of any investigation. "Congresswoman Harman has asked me to follow up on calls you've had," Olson said. "She is not aware of any such investigation, does not believe that it is occurring, and wanted to make sure that you and your editors knew that as far as she knows, that's not true... . No one from the Justice Department has contacted her." It is not, however, a given that Harman would know that she is under investigation. In a follow-up phone call from California, Olson said Harman hired him this morning because she takes seriously the possibility of a media report about an investigation of her, even though she does not believe it herself.
A spokesman for AIPAC, a powerful Washington-based organization with more than 100,000 members across the U.S., denied any wrongdoing by the group and stressed that it is not taking sides in regards to the committee assignment. Spokespersons for Justice and the FBI declined to comment
The case is a spin-off of a probe that has already led to charges under the Espionage Act against two AIPAC lobbyists, whose case is still pending, and to a 12-and-a-half-year prison sentence for former Defense Intelligence Agency official Lawrence A. Franklin. Franklin pleaded guilty a year ago to three felony counts involving improper disclosure and handling of classified information about the Middle East and terrorism to the two lobbyists, who in turn are accused of passing it on to a journalist and a foreign government, widely believed to be Israel. The two lobbyists, who have denied any wrongdoing but were dismissed by AIPAC in April of 2005, were indicted on felony counts of conspiring with government officials to receive classified information they were not authorized to have access to and providing national defense information to people not entitled to receive it.
Around mid-2005, the investigation expanded to cover aspects of Harman's quiet but aggressive campaign to persuade House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to reappoint her to the prestigious position on the House intel panel. The alleged campaign to support Harman for the leadership post came amid media reports that Pelosi had soured on her California colleague and might name Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida, himself a major supporter of Israel, to succeed Harman.
The sources say the probe also involves whether, in exchange for the help from AIPAC, Harman agreed to help try to persuade the Administration to go lighter on the AIPAC officials caught up in the ongoing investigation. If that happened, it might be construed as an illegal quid pro quo, depending on the context of the situation. But the sources caution that there has been no decision to charge anyone and that it is unclear whether Harman and AIPAC acted on the idea.
AIPAC spokesman Patrick Dorton denies that the organization has engaged in any improper conduct. "Both Congressman Hastings and Congresswoman Harman are strong leaders on issues of importance to the pro-Israel community and would be exemplary Democratic leaders for the House intelligence committee," Dorton said. "AIPAC would never engage in a quid pro quo in relation to a federal investigation or any federal matter and the notion that it would do so is preposterous. AIPAC is not aware that the Justice Department is looking into issues involving the intelligence committee, and has not been asked any questions or contacted by the government on this matter, but certainly would cooperate with any inquiry." Dorton added that AIPAC has previously been assured that the organization and its current employees are not being investigated.
In this same investigation, the Justice Department has previously suggested that AIPAC had questionable motives in trying to help a valued government contact remain in a sensitive national security post. The Justice Department alleges in its indictment of Franklin that he asked one of the two AIPAC lobbyists to "put in a good word" for him in seeking assignment to the National Security Council. The document says the AIPAC official noted that such a job would put Franklin "by the elbow of the President" and said he would "do what I can."
AIPAC lists praise from Pelosi among a series of quotes from world leaders on its website: "The special relationship between the United States and Israel is as strong as it is because of your [AIPAC's] fidelity to that partnership..." But congressional sources say Pelosi has been infuriated by pressure from some major donors lobbying on behalf of Harman. In a story touching on tensions between Pelosi and Harman, an alternative California publication, LA Weekly, reported in May that Harman "had some major contributors call Pelosi to impress upon her the importance of keeping Jane in place. According to these members, this tactic, too, hasn't endeared Harman to Pelosi."
A congressional source tells TIME that the lobbbying for Harman has included a phone call several months ago from entertainment industry billionaire and major Democratic party contributor Haim Saban. A Saban spokeswoman said he could not be reached for comment. A phone call pushing for a particular member's committee assignment might be unwelcome, but it would not normally be illegal on its own. And it is unclear whether Saban — who made much of his fortune with the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers children's franchise — knew that lobbying Pelosi might be viewed by others as part of a larger alleged plan.
Saban has donated at least $3,000 to Harman's campaign, according to Federal Election Commission records, and the Saban Center for Middle East Policy, which he sponsors at the prestigious Brookings Institution, boasts Harman among its biggest fans. "When the Saban Center talks, I listen," Harman said at a Saban Center briefing in February on U.S. strategy in Iraq. Harman quipped that, in order to attend the session at Brookings, she had to "blow off" a senior intelligence official's appearance before a House committee.
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