Comments on: Jeffrey Goldberg’s ‘American Problem’

By: arabist

arabist — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 07:29:47 +0000

a) I am not leftist just because I am pro-Palestinian;
b) Goldberg’s article is about America rather than Israel. It is about the American political process. The whole point is that American presidential candidates cannot be frank on the question of Israel policy.

By: Juanjo

Juanjo — Sat, 31 May 2008 22:39:53 +0000

Senor Arabist,

I have to say that I found this comment rather shocking:

“And I do find it shocking that he only cares about the impact on Israel when pro-Israel policies have been so damaging to the US,”

This is especially surprising considering you are allegedly of the Left. Why is Goldberg obligated to discuss the impact on America in an opinion piece which is not about America but about Zionism? Why is that shocking in the least?

You rarely if ever do that on your site, that is to say, link every topic discussed to American interests. Strange that you would apply such a strict standard to someone you loathe as much as Goldberg, particularly when you don’t follow that standard yourself.

Cheers.

By: jijo

jijo — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:29:44 +0000

“pro-Israel policies have been so damaging to the US”

relative to our hideous war in Iraq? not so much I’d say.

By: arabist

arabist — Fri, 23 May 2008 07:42:17 +0000

I am not calling him “un-American” but simply pointing out that his priorities are in the wrong order. Goldberg is Israeli-American, btw, not just Israeli. And I do find it shocking that he only cares about the impact on Israel when pro-Israel policies have been so damaging to the US, as well as the region, in recent years. Not to mention that his opinion that US support for Israel has not been damaging is obviously contradicted by his later statement that the israel question silences vital political debate in the presidential elections.

By: Juanjo

Juanjo — Fri, 23 May 2008 06:53:35 +0000

Esteemed Arabist,

It seems that you missed two important points about Goldberg’s article:

First, Goldberg makes clear (whether objectively correct or not) that he believes support for Israel is not harmful to America. Indeed, the very first paragraph that you posted from his article says as much.

Second, the article is primarily concerned not with how zionism effects America, but how certain forms of zionism effect the zionist movement as a whole. Specifically, Goldberg advocates for a much more progressive and mild form of zionism which is expressly anti-settlement. Thus your point that he is not taking American interests to heart is really beside the point.

In either case, I don’t understand why you feel Goldberg is obligated to write this piece from a more American-centric point of view. He is, after all, Israeli and, more to the point, this is essentially an opinion piece…Could you explain that one? Or are you simply calling his article “un-american” or “unpatriotic?”

Un Saludo,

Juanjo

By: Dan Segalman

Dan Segalman — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:55:48 +0000

First, I have found what little I have read so far of your web site very interesting.

Second, with respect to the Goldberg article - discussing the attitudes of CERTAIN American Jewish supporters of Israel - the article itself sets the context. Goldberg is asserting that their support for Israel would be more effective if it were less dogmatic.

Goldberg is speaking in a narrow context in that article. There is no need for him to discuss in that short column all the other issues you raise.

Best Wishes