Rahm Emanuel and Arab Perceptions

On November 5th, my office sent an email to tens of thousands of our members and contacts congratulating President-elect Barack Obama. In our message, we noted the historic transformation his victory represented and commended the thousands of Arab Americans who participated in this winning campaign.

The initial and near universal response was heartwarming, with many sharing moving anecdotes of their campaign experiences, their reactions to the victory, and their hopes for change.

One day and one announcement later, the tide turned.

With the naming of Congressman Rahm Emanuel as Obama's White House Chief of Staff, for some, not all, the euphoria turned to despair. The emails and calls to my office were both troubled and troubling -- because much of the reaction was based on misinformation and because of what the entire episode revealed about the larger political dynamics involved.

First, the facts.

Rahm Emanuel is a brilliant strategist and a practitioner of hard-ball politics who, in campaigns, his time in the Clinton White House and more recently in Congress, has demonstrated that he knows how to get a job done. Because there will be critical legislation the President-elect will need to move through Congress, from an economic recovery package and health care reform to a comprehensive approach to alternative energy, Obama has tapped Emanuel for his proven political skills. It is that simple.

This, of course, was neither the content nor the concerns raised by the emails I received. Some charged that Emanuel was an Israeli citizen or a dual U.S.-Israeli national (he is neither, he was born in Chicago in 1959); or, they alleged that he served in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), losing his finger confronting a Syrian tank during the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon (he did not serve in the IDF, and lost his finger in a freak accident while working as a teenager in an Arby's restaurant). A few accused Emanuel of skipping U.S. military service to join the IDF in 1991 (also not true -- in the midst of the 1991 Gulf War, while U.S. forces were manning Patriot missile batteries in Israel and the Arab Gulf, Emanuel volunteered for a few weeks, as a civilian, doing maintenance on Israeli vehicles). The most recent story alleges that Rahm Emanuel was fired from the White House in 1998 after being implicated by the FBI, together with Monica Lewinsky, in a Mossad plot to spy on then-President Clinton (a total fabrication, compliments of a shady character who claims to have been a U.S. intelligence official and is a purveyor of many bizarre tales).

That stories such as these have been circulating, and have taken hold, is as reprehensible as the "Barack Obama is a secret Muslim/Manchurian candidate" tale, or the anti-Arab anti-Muslim canards to which I and many of my colleagues have been subjected over the years.

Putting aside the fiction or, more accurately, the slanderous myths, the truth is that Emanuel is an effective leader in Congress. He is a strong supporter of Israel. But then, how many members of Congress are not?

Emanuel is Jewish and his father is an Israeli. Arab Americans should be especially sensitive to attacks on anyone based on religion or ethnicity. He has worked closely with and is liked by the Arab American Members of Congress from both parties, and he was the architect of the 1993 White House lawn signing ceremony for the Oslo Accords that brought Arab Americans and American Jews together. When, in 1994, Rahm accepted my invitation to a luncheon with Arab American community leaders, those who met him were impressed by his openness and honesty.

Beyond these facts, however, there are two concerns that must be addressed.

It is deeply troubling how quickly, for some, the excitement of Barack Obama's victory was eclipsed by cynicism and suspicion, and how receptive some were to wild tales. This could only occur, on one level, because the victory itself was not understood. If it had been, the excitement would have been tempered by an appreciation of political realities.

Obama's victory, no doubt, demonstrated that change is possible -- but incremental change. Pressures remain, from the right and the left and interest groups of all sorts continue to have influence, limiting political options. The economy is in a free-fall and, after eight years of Bush neglect and recklessness, dangers abound in the world. An Obama victory doesn't alter those realities, either. And so our excitement was justified, but our euphoria should never have taken us so high as to lose our grounding and understanding of the limits of what is possible.

My concern is that, for some, the need for change became so great as make them susceptible to wild swings -- from unrealistic expectations to unwarranted despair and, therefore, to become prone to believe the worst.

But the fault here should be shared. I am concerned by the slowness of the Obama camp to respond more quickly or effectively to address the situation. Modern political operations have learned the need to confront false stories, to manage perception, and to anticipate problems -- and, here, the Obama team had been especially masterful.

During the campaign, for example, they repeatedly demonstrated how tuned-in they were to public perception -- and in particular to matters that might have created discomfort in the Jewish community. They knew that these stories needed to be shot down quickly. (American Muslims understood much of this, despite feeling slighted, at times.) But in this most recent instance, the Obama camp displayed both inattentiveness and tone-deafness to Arab misperceptions about who Rahm Emanuel is, and what role he will play. (Aside from the flap over the comments made by Rahm's father, for which Rahm, himself, has now profoundly apologized.) As a result, the situation festered.

The campaign is now over, and the President-elect is playing on a world stage with more than one audience at stake. And in the Middle East, especially, sensitivities are as great and (perceived) sleights are felt as acutely as they are among any people in the world. With feelings having been rubbed raw by decades of U.S. policy miscues, and with U.S. favorability ratings at all-time lows, and extremists preying off resentment and fear - perceptions matter.

If we are to succeed in making changes in U.S.-Arab relations -- and I believe that an Obama administration can -- greater attentiveness and sensitivity is in order.

Bottom line -- there are lessons to learn and work to be done. Arabs and Arab Americans need to ground their expectations in political realities and be wary of slanderous attacks smacking of anti-Semitism, and U.S. political leadership must learn to be as attentive to Arab sensitivities as they are to the concerns of others.

Comments

[CATO90025]

Rahm was a civilain volunteer for the IDF when the US was at war--you fail to mention this. Moreover this does not rebut the assertion that he served the Isreali military.

His citizenship status in the past is unclear, as stated in a number of publications, yet you brush over this is one stroke--with a statement of his present status. True , true unrelated. Rahm may not be a dual citizen now, but that is not inconsistent with being one in the past.

Mr. Zogby, you set up highly qualified and nuanced sentences that deny many troubling aspects--why?

[Zyzzygowski]

Like it or not, anyone of the Jewish faith is considered a citizen of Israel. Not too long ago a guy murdered someone here in Maryland. The murderer happened to be Jewish and he made his way to Israel where he would not be extradited. Yep, our ally would not return one of our citizens because his being Jewish trumped his American citizenship.

So, yes Rahm Emanuel can claim Israeli citizenship because Israel claims him as their own. More of a technicality than anythhng else.

[NOTE: The murderer was tried and imprisoned in Israel.]

[GZLives]

"Like it or not, anyone of the Jewish faith is considered a citizen of Israel."

Hmmm Considering what the world has shown it will do as millions of Jews are murdered, do you really think its necessary to explain why we Jews have the right of return?

Should we depend on anyone else for our survival"?
No thanks, not after what we experienced the last time around this turn.
I don't think so

Consider the St Louis, a boat full of Jews that had left Germany hoping to enter the US to escape the concentration camps but turned back, turned back in Cuba as well, and eventually finding no safe haven, returns to Bremen Germany - sending all to their deaths ...
And that's why the historical Jewish homeland of Israel was re established by the world via a UN vote.
Its so Jews wouldn't have to depend on the "goodness" or "compassion" of any country for our safety - because there's very little if any when we really need it.

[lerock]

...beware the protocols of Zion..

[trucap]

unbeleivable indeed ! ! calm down and lift yourselves up from this chaos .lets not forget that the usa government is based on democratic values , and neither obama or emmanuel can individually makes a dicision on thier own .everyone has to get used to the fact that israel is a state to stay ....thats how the whole world look at this situation. the only thing that matter is how the palastinians ans the israelis can manage to reach to peace that will allows them to live in concert with eachother and improve their standard of living .

[lonecrone]

Rahm Emanuel is going to be Whitehouse Chief of Staff, not Secretary of Defense or State. I bet if we searched we could find his job description and duties. I'm quite sure they wouldn't include making decisions on Mid East policy.

[johnqeniac]

uh-huh... well rove was just a political advisor and he ended up engineering a war on lies which helped sink the U.S. Anyone can be as powerful in policy making as a President wants/allows them to be.

[Mosby007]

I don't think Rove engineered the war. Ever heard of a guy named Cheney? Or Rumsfield?

[trucap]

that's true . sununu was chief of staff in bush the father's administration , he was an arab american . the chief of staff position is mostly managerial position and have nothing to do with policy desision making. get over it guys and learn a little about how the government of the usa runs.

[Readbetweentheelevens]

Why would a US citizen (who is not an Israeli citizen or has renounced his Israeli citizenship) volunteer for military service in Israel rather than the US? There are missing details in the story. Are there any pictures of Rahm with grease on his face and a wrench in hand? Is this typical conduct for American citizens?

60 years of war is too long. It's time for a change. The U.S. is needed as a true broker for a resolution. Obama was elected with change in mind. Rahm sends the wrong signal. He sends the kind of signal his father proudly boasted. I pray that Mr. Zogby is right and that this administration can assist in lasting peace.

[CATO90025]

Agreed--moreover why did Clinton let him go--another security risk like Feith--passing secrets to their primary country

[Carmelin]

Some clarification here for those who may not realize what the rules are concerning Israeli citizenship: Rahm's father was an israeli citizen though he emigrated to the US, where Rahm was born. He no doubt listed his children on his israeli passport, which would automatically make them israeli citizens. The news story on Emanuel had him visiting israel once a year in the summer (like most israeli- Americans). The question is, does he use an israeli passport to enter the country or not. If he ever was a citizen of israel (which he would have had to be to serve in the IDF, even in a civilian capacity) he must use an israeli passport to enter the country.

The only alternative is that he would have to officially renounce his israeli citizenship, a process that is quite lengthy, requiring surrender of all israeli documents, and involving a rather complicated procedure which may take up to a couple of years. Yes, I know, it sounds difficult but that's how it works - once an israeli, you do not lose the citizenship just by becoming inactive or becoming another country's citizen.

So it should be quite simple to check whether Emanuel is an Israeli citizen. This is a fair question to ask, and should be answered with clarity.

[betz55]

If Mr Obama is really interested in "change" we can believe in then he needs to "change" the same old rhetoric, and dogmatic, unquestioned, unconditional support of Israel. Level the playing field and be an honest broker of the "change" he is espousing. Obama is no fool but Rahm, and AIPAC may be doing their best to bias Obama to be an Israel firster.

I will be proud of the day when the President can put the interest of America before the interest of Israel and not be crucified for it. It's a shame that American politicians are selected, not on their commitment to the best interests of America, but by vowing to put the interests of a foreign nation, Israel, first. The oath of allegiance that I said everyday in school was not to Israel, or any country but America.

A true "friend" of Israel would tell them they need to end the occupation of the West Bank, stop repressing the legitimate national aspirations of the Palestinians, and stop warmongering. The time has come for the US to stop pandering to Israel and it's destructive, belligerent, failed policies.

Israel 'preconditions' for "peace" are outdated, irrelevant, and biased towards Israel. Why is Israel allowed to lay waste to every international law and convention without criticism and their "enemies" -read Iran,Syria, any one against Israel's failed policies are not entitled to raise a hand in their own defense without raising Washingtons hackles? I hope Obama,and Rahm smarten up.

[GZLives]

Outdated? Irrelevant? Biased"

The Palestinians can;t even live with themselves much less Israel. From today's news:

"Mahmoud Zahar, the top Hamas leader in the Gaza Strip, condemned Abbas and his PLO colleagues as "traitors and spies."

If Hamas ever decided to join the PLO, it would be only to "cleanse the organization of all the traitors, spies and merchants," he said. "

I'm afraid the problem which none of you israel bashers feel is important is the complete rejection by at least half the Palestinian Arabs of recognition or acceptance or any desire to co exist with Israel.

Can you say Islamist? NOT Islam but I.S.L.A.M.­I.S.T .... look it up because from your post here its clear you haven't a clue what's actually going on in that part of the world.

When the Arabs decide non Muslims are human beings, when they decide they will coexist rather then shoot rockets at cities or steak tractors and try to drive them into civilians on the streets, they will find a willing partner for peace. But until then, israel will contin ue to defend itself no matter how much that displeases the Left

[njhamdan]

While i do not agree with all of betz55's comments, I am struck by your response.

As a Palestinian, I have a bias, but I do try my best to look objectively at issues facing both sides. I went to school (Quaker school) for two years in Palestine during which the intifada started.

I can honestly say that there was progress being made, with Seeds of Peace students from Palestine where going to Israeli high schools and vice versa.....­.i did not feel anything toward israel other than exhaustion from long peace process and hope that Clinton can do something.

Generalizing and saying that Arabs are so extreme in their views is unfair.

you wrote:" When the Arabs decide non Muslims are human beings when they decide they will coexist rather then shoot rockets at cities or steak tractors and try to drive them into civilians on the streets, they will find a willing partner for peace."...­..........­..........

[njhamdan]

-----well not all Palestinians are Muslim, there is a significant Christian population that tends to be overlooked. I agree with you that those acts committed by Palestinians are disgusting, and horrifying . No excuses, its wrong. U however seem to ignore also the unspeakable acts that Israel has committed. Israel has the power and uses nondiscriminately toward the Palestinian ppl. I as a person who was raised muslim but does not practice, am struck at the misperceptions of Islam. It is a peaceful religion, but as which all religions throughout history is being used by some to spread hate and fear. Most muslims are peaceful, don't let extremist form ur opinion of the rest. They win when you do that :)

I realize that u have probably heard all this before, but i think that Palestinians and Israelis tune each other out and both dehumanize the other side. DON"T TUNE ME OUT.......­.....I am not attacking you, I just want to reach you and try to come to an understanding of at least an opposing view.

[njhamdan]

Your comments above about Palestinians rejecting Israeli is not true. I agree with you that the government is corrupt and that Hamas does not help Israel or Palestine, however, the ppl do want peace, desperately they just cant seem to elect a competent government or leader. They do want peace. Who enjoys this bloody soul draining cycle of violence? They do want peace, and that is y so many have pinned their hopes on Obama. They do want peace.

That is what I believe betz55 was alluding to, a Palestinian state is beneficial to all. Palestine will not be held up as the black hole where humanity turned a blind eye to all the extremists­.....good will, will shoot up for Israel and usa around the world. The insanity will stop, at least for us.

Y is that wrong? That IS the best way for Israel to prosper...­.at least in my opinion.

[betz55]

These 'preconditions' are outdated, irrelevant, and biased towards Israel. Palestinians must agree to first recognize Israel, second to end all violence, third to accept past agreements?Try to find a mention, ANYWHERE, of the fact that Israel rejects all three of those. They don't recognize a Palestinian state, they certainly don't withdraw the use of violence or the threat of it,in fact they insist on it,and they don't accept past agreements­,including the road map.When will Israeli leadership come to the table accept intl law and make the concessions necessary for peace? Because Israel rejectionism has been the greatest deterrent to peace over the last 40 years.

[SoD1]

Very well said!
And to "GZlives" below, can YOU say "Zionism". hmm?
Israel has the same problem you just described that it might have to solve too.

Shalom, Achi

[Justtellthetruth]

I am more than willing (even hopeful) to believe that Rahm Emanuel will be an asset to the Obama administration, and at least not an impediment to the removal of all settlements and the Occ'upation in the We,st Ban,k.

However, Anyone who is an unapologetic supporter of the war in Iraq, of war with Iran, and of AI'P'AC does not seem like someone who is oriented towards peace in the M.'E. and who may in fact play an undermining role such as that played by Dennis Ross (pointed out by wal't and mearshei'mer and others) in TWO administrations, who now actually WORKS for AI'P'AC.

I hope Emanuel is really interested in a secure Isr'ael, because if we break our dependence on M.'E. oil, there is NO WAY that we will continue spending 100's of billions and sendings 100s of K troops to the M.'E. simply to protect Israel (and NOT the flow of vital oil) as they continue to prosecute the worlds only violently enforced colonial settler movement.

[CATO90025]

Why is it so sad in our free country--on a political board that ideas do not se light unless you change key words.

Interesting that the Wiki. entry for Pere Eamanuel was taken down--wiki anothe rtool of manipulation.

[Skye]

Thanks so much for trying to clear up the rumors, Mr Zogby.

Unfortunately, judging by some of the comments on here, the hate and false information about Rahm continues. I'm begining to think people will believe whatever they want because it's easier that way. You've actually met Rahm and yet some people on here seem to think they know more about him than you do. The people who choose to believe the false information about Rahm are just as bad as the those on the right who were trying to attack Obama with anti Muslim and anti Arab crap.. Anti Muslim, Anti Arab, Anti Semitism..­... it's all the same thing.

Ignorance and bigotry on the left is almost worse than when it comes from the right because I would expect fellow liberals and those on the left to be open minded and tolerant. Sad that's not the case.

[GZLives]

I whole heartedly agree Skye ... And thank you Mr Zogby for trying to remind some that to do exactly the same albeit coming from the other Left instead of Right, is still doing exactly the same.

Anti Semitism, Anti Arab is indeed the same thing. Some see Arab/Jew and all their pre conceived and all too often ignorant notions come spewing out and unfortunately many just can't resist the urge to share them with us ...

Lets hope those who are well intended on both sides will emerge to stand up to this stuff.
Salaam and Shalom

[ElTiante]

Could it be that the response to "rumors" about Emanuel was slow because everyone in the Obama administration had to get their stories and strategies straight in how to downplay them?
Even so, the story doesn't seem quite straight enough to me. Why would a US citizen (who is not an Israeli citizen or has renounced his Israeli citizenship) volunteer for military service in Israel rather than the US? Emanuel hanging around the motor pool is about as believable to me as George W. Bush flying planes in the Alabama National Guard. Lots of missing details in both stories. Any pictures of Rahm with grease on his face and wrench in hand?
Here are a few facts about Emanuel not mentioned in the Zogby gloss-over: He undermined anti-Iraq war candidates for Congress in 2006 (Colonel Hackett, for one). He is an unapologetic supporter of the Iraq War. He supports Israel by means of legislation, political influence, and (apparently) his tool belt. Not much of a fair shake for Arab Americans in that pile of facts.

[Prattvictory2]

Why no mention of Rahm's Father, his membership in a terrorist organization and his recent bigoted remarks regarding his son's appointment? While I appreciate Mr. Zogby's attempt at keeping the door open to the new administration, I don't think Mr. Emanuel's selection is a good indicator of any prospects for peace in the Middle East.

[GZLives]

Clearly you never bothered actually reading this article since it was indeed mentioned.

Maybe you were just itching to prove Zogby's point?

Here's what Zogby wrote if you just go back and read it ...

"But in this most recent instance, the Obama camp displayed both inattentiveness and tone-deafness to Arab misperceptions about who Rahm Emanuel is, and what role he will play. (Aside from the flap over the comments made by Rahm's father, for which Rahm, himself, has now profoundly apologized­.) As a result, the situation festered."

Do you really believe his father's membership some 60 - 70 years ago in the Irgun is relevant ?

[newworldman777]

"Do you really believe his father's membership some 60 - 70 years ago in the Irgun is relevant ?"

Many would consider his membership in the Irgun to be just as relevent as the Jewish Nazi hunters consider the present-day hunt for Nazis to be relevent. Both organizations were aggressive violent extremists.

[arvay]

I don't know what to think yet about Emanuel, but I do know that if his father had served in the SS we'd never hear the end of it.

[Brett575]

Religion, religion, religion..­..the curse of humanity. Poor Stw 573 (Little Foot), he didn't say his prayers over 2,5 million years ago, and fell victim to a nasty biblical conspiracy.

[Blidkin]

Emanuel should work out just fine as chief of staff -- if he can get his father to shut his big trap. But Obama can't pile Clinton on top of Emanuel and expect not to piss off the Arabs. Clinton has been a hawk for Israel. Everyone knows that.

[melybock]

Can you control YOUR parents? Not bloody likely. And Bill Clinton is not expected to be a part of this administration. Hillary Clinton will be her own woman. Let the cards fall where they may.

[krocklin]

If you believe the Rightwing, then the Obama Administration is a secret conspiracy engineered by a coalition of Israel and Al Queda.

[Horus45]

In reality it is the NEOCONS who are closely aligned with Israel!

[joebhed]

What, me worry ?

Out of context.

James selectively lays out some of the truth within this article.

"Rahm Emanuel is a brilliant strategist and a practitioner of hard-ball politics..­"

"in the midst of the 1991 Gulf War, ..... Emanuel volunteered for a few weeks, as a civilian, doing maintenance on Israeli vehicles".

".. the truth is that Emanuel is an effective leader in Congress. He is a strong supporter of Israel. But then, how many members of Congress are not?

Emanuel is Jewish and his father is an Israeli."

The real truth is that AIPAC can save its money for these next few years and use it when the White House is no longer controlled by a Zionist ideologue.

I love his Jewishness.

But he is a close-minded, pit bull on the subject of the Middle East.

Did you say that Israel has nuclear weapons, James?
I didn't hear you mention any of the failings of the Zionists.
Funny, from an Arabist perspective.

[GZLives]

Yet more evidence of Zogby's article ...
Sad to see how many on the "progressive" side are no better then the demon neocons they railed about for the last 8 years.
Israel is a US ally and not going anywhere anytime soon. Get used to it, deal with it and try and embrace it because it might ease your hatred for it and all who support it which includes the vast majority of Americans and about 99 1/2% of all Jews.

[julierbutler]

This is not about whether or not Israel continues to exist, it is about HOW Israel exists, and HOW MUCH the Obama administration is going to be in the pocket of AIPAC. You are misplacing the concerns of many who want peace in the Middle East by exaggeration and falshood. We do not "hate" Israel! We just want that nation to do more to work toward a peaceful solution to the problem that they caused when they began taking over land that was not originally agreed to.

[local21]

If Karl Rove has 28% of Texans convinced that Obama is a muslim can't we try the same thing with the middle east ? With a good effort I could see a 85-95% success rate.

We have peace and then tell them the truth in 8 years.

[lioness39]

Thank you, once again, Mr. Zoghby, for stating things clearly. You are a champ.