William Kristol, co-founder and editor of the Weekly Standard magazine, wrote in an article today that Secretary of Defense nominee Chuck Hagel is anti-Israel.
In previous articles an Iranian newspaper proclaimed its support for Hagel as America's next Secretary of Defense.
In his most recent article for the Weekly Standard dated January 14, 2013, Kristol says that Hagel now claims he is totally, unequivocally a supporter of Israel. Kristol points out that in the past as a U.S. Senator Hagel was proud to be one of the very few lawmakers who was not a supporter of Israel.
Kristol, a leader of the neo-conservative movement, said in a Jan. 4 blog that Hagel's backers can cite "no significant legislation for which Hagel is responsible during his two terms in the Senate. His supporters can quote no profound statements from any of his speeches."
Kristol further says that Hagel has put forth no analysis of defense or foreign policy which would justify his being approved as the next Secretary of Defense.
During the 2002 Palestinian terrorist campaign against Israel, then Senator Hagel said, "Israel must take steps to show its commitment to peace."
He reportedly sent no such ultimatum in the direction of the Palestinians who were employing terrorism against the state of Israel.
Hagel once admitted to being proud of his previous votes against pro-Israel resolutions back by American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
Israel has long been a staunch ally of the United States.
If it appears that Hagel will flip-flop in his confirmation hearings to garner support by claiming a sudden conversion to being a lover of Israel, maybe Senators should take a close look as to his qualifications to represent the United States in that tinderbox which has always been the Middle East.
At least one Senator is doing that. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), is "very troubled" by Hagel's nomination. She said some of his prior positions make her wonder why Hagel was even nominated.
Other critics have spoken out against him saying he is soft on Iran and not loyal to Israel.
Jordan Sekulow, in an article for the Washington Times, said that Hagel is not the right man for the job. Hagel was the only Senator who refused to sign a letter condemning anti-semitism in Russia.
Sekulow further said Hagel wasn't qualified because of his lack of ability to deal with the growing Iranian nuclear threat.
South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham (R) predicted Hagel would be the "most anti-Isreal Secretary of Defense in history if he's approved."
A Republican Jewish group said his approval would be a "slap in the face" to those who support Israel.
When Kristol appeared on Fox News Sunday he repeated his concerns "that Hagel is not the right man for the job".
Hopefully, Senators will scrutinize this important nomination thoroughly and not rubber stamp it.
The position in the United States in Eqypt and other Middle Eastern countries has been weakend greatly as a result of the so-called "Arab Spring" which has done nothing to strengthen the cause of democracy. It has only cost the United States strong allies.
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