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Jewish World Review /Feb. 5, 1999 / 19 Shevat, 5759
Jonathan Tobin
The Bibiphobia Conspiracy
I AM NOT a conspiracy fan.
Even though I grew up in a time when authority was questioned and
cynicism
was ever present, I just don't buy into that mind-set. As a student of
history, I know that events are more random than we think, and most
governments and organizations are too incompetent to pull off the kind
of
vast conspiracies that are the staple of modern fiction.
Who killed JFK? I've always believed it was Lee Harvey Oswald acting
alone.
And I've always scoffed at all the pulp drama about CIA conspiracies.
But in the last couple of months, I'm beginning to have my doubts about
our
noble spooks headquartered in Langley, Va.
THE CIA GOES
DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND
For example, when Arafat released five high-ranking Hamas terrorists
last
week, the CIA played dumb. It so happens these terrorists are believed
to
be connected to the murders of dozens of innocents, including five
Americans - Matthew Eisenfeld, Sara Duker, Ira Weinstein, Leah Stern and
Yale Botwin.
Eventually, the CIA claimed these guys weren't involved with the
murders.
But how could they not be, since they were all senior members of the
groups
that planned and carried out the terrorism? The CIA won't say.
Why not? My conspiracy theory to explain it is Bibiphobia.
Admitting that Arafat has made a hash of the Wye accord (as he did with
Oslo) might benefit Netanyahu in the upcoming Israeli elections. So the
Bibiphobic Clinton administration tells the CIA to suddenly turn a blind
eye to the P.A.'s revolving door for terrorists.
Is this a paranoid delusion? I don't think so.
The ironic thing about Netanyahu is that he makes peace deals and grants
major concessions to the Palestinians but then goes out and talks tough
for
the Israeli electorate, as if he hadn't given away anything. So the left
and the American administration treats him like a pariah. All breakdowns
in
the peace process are blamed on him, no matter what Arafat does. Since
he
has, at least, a fighting chance to win re-election in May, Washington
is
being careful to do nothing that might aid his cause.
And though Clinton and those following his lead in Langley may think of
those five murdered Americans as sacrifices for "peace," I don't think
we
should be so cavalier about their memory.
I covered Matt Eisenfeld's and Sara Duker's funerals nearly three years
ago. I can't forget the tears of their families, nor have I forgotten
the
Clinton administration's pledge to bring their killers to justice.
But instead of calling Arafat to account for this outrage, much of our
national leadership was lining up to share some Cheerios and juice with
the
old terrorist at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington this week.
Clinton also planned to greet Arafat at the White House Thursday, while
Republican hotshot (and ex-football star) Rep. Steve Largent is said to
want to share the gospel with him!
JEWISH SLEUTHS
ON THE JOB
That's right. The "investigative" powers of their search committee for a
new chairman are being taxed to the utmost as they bravely uncover the
truth about the mystery man who has been nominated for the role.
Who's the John Doe? None other than one of the most conspicuous American
Jewish billionaires: cosmetics heir Ron Lauder. Lauder has run for mayor
of
New York, been U.S. ambassador to Vienna, funded countless Jewish
charitable efforts overseas generously, and lately has been giving time
and
serious cash to the Jewish National Fund as its president.
He's also a friend of the current prime minister and is generally
believed
to have helped finance his campaigns.
Is there anything unknown about the Estée heir? I doubt it.
So what is Lauder being investigated for? Giving money to Netanyahu.
But wait, we already knew that, didn't we?
I doubt that there are many big Jewish givers on the national scene who
haven't given something to an Israeli politician or a non-profit group
linked to him. But because Lauder has helped fund the Likud leader, all
of
a sudden, there's something not kosher about his ascending to the throne
of
the Conference.
Lauder has denied giving money to Netanyahu. His critics say the
question
is whether he lied when he made the denial. Maybe he's telling the truth
and maybe he isn't.
But who cares? Many of the same liberal Jewish groups lining up to stop
Lauder don't care if the president of the United States commits perjury.
Why do they care about Lauder?
FRIENDS OF THE
P.M. ARE MARKED MEN
Personally, I think the Conference is a bloated joke. There are dozens
of
so-called "major" organizations, and the group is paralyzed by division
and
ultimately speaks for no one. But if Lauder wants to play the prince of
exile, what's the harm?
Just because Bibi and his friends are paranoid doesn't mean a lot of
people
aren't out to get them. That's their tough luck, but when the truth is
sacrificed by a U.S. government agency, that's when I join the
conspiracy
crowd.
Maybe the same people who are so uptight about who Lauder funded should
worry more about where Matt Eisenfeld and Sara Duker's killers are
today.
Maybe the people who want to have breakfast and a prayer with Arafat
should
care about that, too.
Maybe the CIA should stop playing footsie with the P.A. on terrorism.
Maybe Clinton should demand that Palestinian Arab killers of Americans
be
extradited to Israel or the United States.
And maybe American Jewish groups should be demanding that,
Never for a second did I believe that Paul McCartney of the Beatles was
dead when all the other kids were playing their LPs backward to hear the
secret obituary.
McCartney
Why? Because the renowned secret agency has suddenly gone missing in
action. The CIA, which was tasked by the president to monitor compliance
with the peace accords by both Arafat's Palestinian Authority and
Israel,
has decided to lay low on all substantive issues.
I would define Bibiphobia (Bee-bee-pho´-bee-ah) as hatred of all
things
related to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The CIA can't get itself - let alone Hamas - arrested in Gaza, and
everyone
in Washington is thinking about oatmeal with Arafat. But there is one
group
that isn't asleep. The sleuths of the Conference of Presidents of Major
American Jewish Organizations are on the job.
Call me crazy, but I think it is all part of the Bibiphobia conspiracy.
The
sharks of the American Jewish left have made anybody who is friends with
the unlovable P.M. a marked man.
JWR contributor Jonathan S. Tobin is executive editor of the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent.
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