Clinton Steps Away From Pro-Israel Lobby on Measure to Rein in President

[oberliner]

Washington - Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton has built a reputation for strictly adhering to the pro-Israel line, but she now appears, for the first time, to be supporting legislation that is opposed by pro-Israel lobbyists.

Clinton announced last week that she would co-sponsor an amendment, proposed by Virginia Democrat Jim Webb, that would require the president to seek congressional approval before taking military action against Iran.

“Congressional oversight and debate can help avoid the mistakes and blunders that have afflicted U.S. policy in Iraq,” Senator Clinton said in a statement explaining her decision to co-sponsor the amendment. “We cannot allow recent history to repeat itself.”

When similar legislation was presented in the House of Representatives earlier this year as part of the Defense Authorization Bill, the Washington press reported that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee was calling on House members to vote against the amendment.

http://www.forward.com/articles/11795/

[xchrom]

1. we'll see. the u.s. will not let israel bomb iran.

so it's going to come down to what happens with israel and it's determination about iran and it's nuclear program.

our history with israel doesn't leave us with a lot of options -- and we just don't have the best relations with the muslim world -- we just don't.

[leveymg]

2. Hillary needs to further distance herself from AIPAC before she gets the support of the base

As things stand, now, she's far too close to Likud and the Israeli Rightwing for comfort. AIPAC does not represent Israel's interests anymore than the GOP does the U.S. The Dems should spurn AIPAC and make their own alliances with more reasonable parties in Israel.

Hillary also has to disavow the strategy of tension, escalation and provocation that's been the Bush-Cheney approach to Iran. Threats of war have been tried, and failed to persuade Iran. It's become the biggest obstacle to a negotiated regional settlement. Time to try actual negotiations.