Israelis Lobbying or Israeli Censorship

[a_unique_person]

A big debate in the Australian Labor Party about people being muzzled on expressing their views on this issue.

The Israeli Ambassador has weighed into the debate. Now, is this his place to do this? Amabassadors are there to provide communications between nations. I did not know they were there to tell local political parties how to run their policies. This is a job for the Australian people.

I believe this can only harm the Israeli cause, as it demonstrates political bullying, which will generate resentment.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/09/01/1062403450707.html



The Jewish community has rejected claims that Jewish lobbyists are pressuring MPs and others in the ALP not to speak out on Middle East policy.

Labor backbencher Julia Irwin, speaking after Opposition Leader Simon Crean's speech on Sunday night that reinforced the party's support for Israel, said she believed she was "virtually muzzled" because of influence being exerted by members of the Jewish community.

Last month, Ms Irwin and fellow NSW Labor MP Leo McLeay were removed from a speakers' list in a parliamentary debate on the Middle East, amid concern their anti-Israel sentiment was alarming Jewish donors.

"There are two sides to the story," she told ABC radio yesterday. "And I'm just very concerned that there are certain people within the Jewish community that have put pressure on certain people within the Australian Labor Party."

However, Israeli ambassador Gabby Levy said it was natural in a democratic society for each community to lobby for its cause. "I meet occasionally with members of Parliament, from all parties, and I try to convince them as best as I can on my Government's positions. I don't know what's wrong with this," he said.

[Shinytop]

Ben Franklin did more than lobby the French King. Lobbying influential people in other countries has long been done by ambassadors. You are wrong in thinking this is overstepping any bounds.

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by Shinytop
Ben Franklin did more than lobby the French King. Lobbying influential people in other countries has long been done by ambassadors. You are wrong in thinking this is overstepping any bounds.

That is legitimate, the ambassador goes to a country and says what he wants. In this case, members of a party are being muzzled. That is, the Labor party policy is pro-Israel, but people who disagree with the policy are being told to shut up to stop alientating the Jewish vote.

[Shinytop]

But it is their own party doing the "muzzling", if any. The ambassador may have lobbied the party but the party is free to support who they want or to withdraw support from who does not toe the party line. You seem to be a little eager to blame the ambassador when the party is doing the pressuring.

[a_unique_person]

Originally posted by Shinytop
But it is their own party doing the "muzzling", if any. The ambassador may have lobbied the party but the party is free to support who they want or to withdraw support from who does not toe the party line. You seem to be a little eager to blame the ambassador when the party is doing the pressuring.

According to the article, the individuals are not allowed to say what they want on the issue. In the party system, this is a common problem. However, Julia stated influence from members of the Jewish community is behind this pressure.

Note that the Federal Jewish member of the party said that he wants a balanced resolution, with a Palestinian state alongside a Jewish state.

[The Fool]

Originally posted by a_unique_person


According to the article, the individuals are not allowed to say what they want on the issue. In the party system, this is a common problem. However, Julia stated influence from members of the Jewish community is behind this pressure.

Note that the Federal Jewish member of the party said that he wants a balanced resolution, with a Palestinian state alongside a Jewish state.

I can't see any problem with any ethnic group lobying/pressuring any political party. Its a free country.

I also think that Israeli diplomats just do whatever the Israeli Govt wants them to, thats fair enough. The Government always has the option of sending them home If they overstep.

[corplinx]

Has Yahoo Serious opined on this issue yet?

[Cleopatra]

I think that we all agree that lobbying doesn't constitute an illegal activity. In fact things would be much different in Middle East if Palestinians were trying to engage themselves in lobbying instead of plugging bombs to kill civilians.

I think that it's a bit funny for a MP to suggest that has been muzzled.

People vote for MPs that are able to resist in pressures so, if the MP in question thinks that the Labour Party she belongs to functions in an undemocratic way she can always quit but instead of quitting, or fighting to change the structure of her political party, she expects a country to change its successful policy, these things are not serious.

[Skeptic]

The Israeli Ambassador has weighed into the debate.

So? He said his opinion. Unless there's a law in Australia the gives the israeli ambassador's pronoucnements the force of law, that's all he did. If the political parties listen to his advice or not is up to THEM.

You're just pissed that they listened to him about something, that's all. Ruins your "the evil jews should be shunned by all decent people" schtick.

Now, is this his place to do this?

Well, I dunno, AUP. In israel, at any rate, just about EVERY foreign ambassador and/or representative weights into the political debate--usually trying to "explain" to the israeli govenrment how awful and evil it is (not that anybody listens). Should they all shut up, too? If only...

The guy doing the "censorship" here is you--you wish the evil jew--er, the israeli ambassador--would keep quiet and not say anything you might disagree with.

But then again, you also consider those who blow up jewish babies "freedom fighter" and the 11-month-old babies who blow up "extremists", so it's understandable you consider a jew saying something you don't like "censorship" and your claim that he should shut up "fighting censorship".

[Skeptic]

Ben Franklin did more than lobby the French King.

Yes, but he wasn't jewish.

[Mycroft]

Edited: Oops, posted in wrong thread.

[webfusion]

Ben Franklin wasn't jewish? Are you sure?