Hagee's "Christians for Israel" Meet in DC, Seeking Conflict with Iran

You have probably heard of Pastor John Hagee. Senator McCain, after seeking Hagee's endorsement, rejected it: "McCain told CNN's Brian Todd that he rejected Hagee's endorsement after Todd brought to his attention Hagee's comments that Adolf Hitler had been fulfilling God's will by hastening the desire of Jews to return to Israel in accordance with biblical prophecy," CNN reported on May 22.

But you might not be aware that unlike Senator McCain, Washington's right-wing "Israel Lobby" has not put any daylight between themselves and their close comrade John Hagee, or his "Christians United for Israel." When you say "Israel Lobby," people tend to think "AIPAC." Many people don't realize that a key component of the "Israel Lobby" consists of people who call themselves Christian.

CUFI -- which announces on its home page that the President of Iran is "a new Hitler in the Middle East" -- remember what happened the last time that designation was applied? -- is holding its Third Annual Washington-Israel Summitin Washington, D.C July 21-24 at the Washington Convention Center. The schedule suggests that Hagee is still a key player in the right-wing "Israel Lobby," and that like the rest of the Lobby, a top priority for CUFI is promoting confrontation between the United States and Iran.

The program includes Senator Lieberman; Brad Gordon, Co-Director of Policy and Government Affairs at AIPAC; Patrick Clawson of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy; Frank Gaffney of the Center for Security Policy; Daniel Pipes of the Middle East Forum; William Kristol of the Weekly Standard; and Representative Mike Pence, co-sponsor of the resolution demanding that the President seek to impose a blockade on Iran. (The resolution is starting to face opposition; co-sponsors Frank and Wexler have come out against the blockade language, and yesterday Representative Clay removed his name as a co-sponsor.)

CUFI sessions include "Iran: Eye Of The Storm" and "How to Stop Funding the Enemy: Divestment, Sanctions and Boycotts." Wednesday, July 23 will be "Christians United For Israel Day On Capitol Hill, in which "Registered attendees will meet with their elected officials throughout the day and present the Biblical positions of our support of the nation of Israel." It's a safe bet that promoting confrontation with Iran will be high on the agenda. Of CUFI's "Examples of Past Rapid Response Action Alerts," two of them concern Israel and Palestine ("Urge President Bush Not to Pressure Israel to Make Territorial Concessions") and three concern Iran.

United for Peace and Justice has issued a Call to Action for events nationwide against war with Iran on July 19-21. This would be a great opportunity to put CUFI's advocacy of confrontation with Iran on the radar of the media.

Comments

[AmeriGus]

01:30 AM on 07/13/2008

The article does a good job on an underrepor­ted subject, but left out the only Democratic Member of Congress slated to appear at Hagee's conference - Eliot Engel of New York, a well-entre­nched NY Dem (ten terms) who has not only called for pre-emptiv­e strikes against Iran, but successful­ly fought Nancy Pelosi to give Bush/Chene­y an unfettered hand in doing so without Congressio­nal approval!

Engel is thumbing his nose at his anti-Bush constituen­cy by supporting this politicall­y-connecte­d televangel­ist, thumbing his nose at Jews that believe in a diplomatic peace process, and (again) thumbing his nose at all Americans who oppose unprovoked attacks on sovereign nations.

Today I signed a petition organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, an Oakland-ba­sed peace advocacy group. The page lets you automatica­lly email Lieberman, Engel and Pence all at once, letting them know what you think of their CUFI appearance­. Link at http://sal­sa.democra­cyinaction­.org/o/301­/t/1849/ca­mpaign.jsp­?campaign_­KEY=25161
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[2bad]

03:25 PM on 07/11/2008

you so called "christian­s" have the right to believe whatever mythology you choose and the dogma that comes with it. you're no different than any other religion.

with the recent celebratio­ns regarding the 2nd amendment, which i mostly agree with, when will the supreme court finally rule on the 1st amendment? keep your superstiti­ons out of my government­! if you and you mythology want to be involved in politics fine, give up your tax exempt status and bring it on. you won't do that because your money is more important than your faith.

most people who call themselves christian, are very unchrist-l­ike people!

[Falafel]

12:21 PM on 07/11/2008

What I continue to not grasp is why these so called religious organizati­ons continue to keep their tax exempt status while being fully immersed in setting the national political agenda. Clearly, I've got to start my own church.

[Shortyfuse]

12:10 PM on 07/11/2008

This is my favorite kind of writing. Well researched and not afraid to name names. However, Mc Cains' rejection of Hagee on CNN is just another right wing spin to get the Jewish vote. I knew this kind of thing was comming because they openly said they were going for the Jewish vote.
I have noticed the stepped up efforts, and it is pitifully obvious. If anyone has watched Washington Journal as long as I have they will notice the right wing pundits calling on the Democratic line bashing Americas' aliance with Israel. This ploy is such an obvious divide and couquer method. Shame on Washington Journal for allowing this and many other spin tactics they are trying such as the divide and conquer subjects they pick for comment the days. I think that Susan Swain is a particular­ly dangerous right wing spin doctor and use this WJ for her right wing divide and conquer views.

[scooperss]

05:01 PM on 07/11/2008

Hah I said just this morning that susan was leaning so far the right she was going to fall over.

[Grada3784]

08:14 AM on 07/11/2008

Jesus said He came not to bring peace, but a sword. But at the same time He's the Prince of Peace. Is it any wonder that Christian religions are so crazy. According to the Bible, the idea they have of God is schizophre­nic.

Same deal with any other religious group. The trouble is these books were not written by 1 writer with 1 agenda and with 1 clear message. Multiple writers, mulitlpe agendas, multiple interpreta­tions.

So Thou shalt not kill, unless you do it en masse, gang. And when someone strikes you on your cheek, turn and offer hem the other - then bomb the hell out of them.

[research]

03:16 PM on 07/11/2008

The Gospels contain may be two phrases that sound less then peaceful, probably translatio­n mistakes. The overwhelmi­ng message of the Gospels is peace.

The big three religions should all come out with new versions of their books without the hate speech.

Time for religions to grow up.

[Berettasskeeter]

03:47 AM on 07/11/2008

What rot. Real Christians are citizens of their countries in addition to being Christian. As such, they normally share the aspiration­s of their country. I say normally, because of course there is no such thing as 100% unanimity. And, Christians­, true Christians­, believe that Israel is the Chosen Land of hte Chosen People, and that Israel must be preserved from the depradatio­ns of humanity. Perhaps you consider yourself a Christian, but I think you need to study the subject more.
Semper fi

[RoloTomassi]

03:22 PM on 07/11/2008

What a load of horse pucky; define what you believe, and you'll be just fine--but don't you dare start defining what "Christian­s" believe, as your statements reveal that you have a very narrow view of what Christiani­ty is, and in this world, Christiani­ty comes in many variations­, and more of them DO NOT adhere to your version than those that do.

For many Christians­, what happens in the material world is merely a distractio­n from the spiritual.

[BARRISTER]

07:45 AM on 07/12/2008

"Chosen land of the chosen People.." contradict­s the "God" you guys kill on behalf of: All the writings to which "Godliness­" is ascribed, suggests Equality, not inequality­, which is contradict­ory of the concept of an elitist "Chosen" Group.

Can't eat yor cake and still have it.

Time to grow up guys!!

[research]

10:06 PM on 07/10/2008

Fake Christians­!

What country would Jesus invade?

Who would Jesus torture?

Read the Gospels.

Real Christians are peaceful, loving generous and tolerant.

Not right wing conservati­ves...ever­.