Forum: Over the line of acceptability

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There have been hundreds, even thousands, of articles in the American press regarding an FBI investigation involving the America Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

While the reports imply or assert various charges, none have in fact been lodged despite the more than yearlong investigation. While information has dribbled out, it is still hard to discern exactly what wrong has allegedly been committed that would justify this highly publicized case.

Despite confidence that there is no substance to the allegations, the level of concern among leaders and members of the Jewish community is increasing. Why?

I think it is safe to say American Jews are among the most patriotic and loyal of U.S. citizens. Certainly this is true of those who are the targets of this investigation.

As a community, we respect the authority of government and support the rule of law. Historical realities have loaded on us such a great deal of baggage that when a Jew is charged, particularly in such sensitive areas, it is seen as a communal, not just a personal, matter.

In recent months there have been repeated stories about the "neocons," often a code word for Jews, or widespread canards placing the onus on Jews for everything from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, to the war in Iraq.

The implicit references to "dual loyalty" cannot be overlooked, especially when reliable studies show a significant percentage of Americans still believe this baseless and bigoted idea. American Jews care about Israel and advocate proudly in support of the special U.S.-Israel relationship. So do many other Americans with historical or ethnic ties to other homelands overseas. The effectiveness of that advocacy has raised resentment, jealousy and wild mythologies. These are among part of the context for reaction to the AIPAC investigation.

There are many questions why after such a long period there have only been selected leaks and why, after AIPAC fully cooperated, it was necessary for seven FBI agents, with CNN waiting at the door as they departed, to stage a raid for voluntarily offered information.

The root of the concern harkens back to Leslie Stahl's original breathless report on CBS' nationwide broadcast the night of Friday, Aug. 27. That initial account asserted espionage was involved and that a Pentagon "mole" was working with AIPAC. The CBS Web site carried a headline, "The FBI believes it has 'solid' evidence that the suspected mole supplied Israel with classified materials that included secret White House policies and deliberations on Iran."

In the following days, the story kept changing to the alleged transfer of secret documents, to the mishandling of classified information, to ever lesser charges. Immediately, there were some who likened it to the Pollard affair and others who saw it as part of the turf battles within the administration. There were no official statements from administration sources. Some members of Congress shied away from comment, while many called for investigation of the probe.