Is This Last Gasp for the Israel Lobby and the Neocons?

AlterNet, Tomdispatch.com by Robert Dreyfuss | Mar. 16, 2009 (News Analysis)

After sinking intel chief Chas Freeman, pro-Israel hardliners are celebrating. But they may have overplayed their hand on this round.

Is the Israel lobby in Washington an all-powerful force? Or is it, perhaps, running scared?

Judging by the outcome of the Charles W. ("Chas") Freeman affair this week, it might seem as if the Israeli lobby is fearsome indeed. Seen more broadly, however, the controversy over Freeman could be the Israel lobby's Waterloo.

Let's recap. On February 19th, Laura Rozen reported at ForeignPolicy.com that Freeman had been selected by Admiral Dennis ... Full Story »

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by Naomi Isler - Mar. 16, 2009

It is reasonable journalism in that it focuses on the'Israel lobby" that everyone knows exists. However, it's not reasonable in ignoring a rising countervailing force to Aipac in the Jewish community here - Brit Tzedek, J Street, Americans for Peace Now,New Israel Fund, etc. They have been increasing their membership and their lobbying efforts, with some increasing success. It also assumes that Netanyahu will invite Liberman to form an 'extremist' majority - last time I looked, (and I admit it was last week) he was back in discussions with Livni, because no one seems to want someone as off the wall as Liberman.