Unfortunately Any Critic of Israel is an Anti-Semite
Unfortunately, Rob things aren't that simple when it comes to reasoned criticism of Israel's controversial policies on settlement expansion, restricting political rights of many Palestinians, the use of preventive detention, and even the assassination of Palestinian leaders. Any criticism of these policies draws near maniacal rebuke from the Israel-Can-Do-No-Wrong lobby. And predictably, the smack down tag of Anti-Semite.
With an eye on the Israel can do no wrong crowd, Obama at times has sounded more fervently Zionist than many Zionists on Israel's policies. It's not Obama's fault that he thinks this is what you have to do and say to get Jewish votes. He's been cowed like others. The rub is that he'll get the majority of Jewish votes anyway--even as a constructive critic of Israel's polices.
Good thoughts, Earl, thanks. I liked how John Stewart, himself Jewish, noted after the recent presidential candidate lovefest with AIPAC, that politicians in America are more unable to criticize Israeli policy than a politicians in Israel.