The latest batch of emails released by the US State Department reveals that Clinton may have been seeking to encourage an anti-Israel atmosphere and generate Palestinian protests in order to force Israel to the negotiating table.
Former secretary of state and current presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton had considered plans to foment unrest against Israel among Palestinians in order to push the Israeli government to make concessions to the Palestinian at the negotiating table.
Based on emails released as part of the investigation into Clintons’ private email server, the Washington Free Beacon reported Monday that on December 18, 2011, former US ambassador to Israel Thomas Pickering sent Clinton an email suggesting that she consider a plan to restart then-stalled peace negotiations by instigating Palestinian demonstrations against Israel.
Pickering described the effort as a potential “game changer in the region,” recommending that the United States undertake a clandestine campaign to generate unrest.
Clinton requested that his email be printed.
“This is far from a sure thing, but far, in my humble view, from hopeless,” Pickering wrote.
Pickering’s reasoning also demonstrated his condescending approach toward the Palestinians. “It [the demonstrations] must be all and only women. Why? On the Palestinian side the male culture is to use force. Palestinian men will not for long patiently demonstrate — they will be inclined over time and much too soon to be frustrated and use force. Their male culture comes close to requiring it.”
Pickering noted that the administration must keep its role in the demonstration a secret, so as not to aggravate ties with Israel, according to the Free Beacon report.
“Most of all the United States, in my view, cannot be seen to have stimulated, encouraged or be the power behind it for reasons you will understand better than anyone,” he wrote
He suggested that the government enlist non-profit groups in Israel to operate against it. “I believe third parties and a number NGOs [non-government organizations] on both sides would help.”
Palestinian demonstrators. (Flash90)
Another Clinton confidant, Anne-Marie Slaughter, sent a staff-wide email to Clinton staffers in September 2010 recommending that they undertake a “Pledge for Palestine” campaign aimed at convincing US millionaires and billionaires to donate significant portions of their wealth to the “Palestinian cause” which could help shame Israel.
“Such a campaign among billionaires/multi-millionaires around the world would reflect a strong vote of confidence in the building of a Palestinian state and could offset the ending of the moratorium for Palestinians,” Slaughter wrote in the email. “There would also be a certain shaming effect re Israelis, who would be building settlements in the face of a pledge for peace.”
Slaughter, who described the effort as a “crazy idea,” suggested using the “Clinton fundraising network” in order to raise the money needed.
“With even 30 calls to the right people in the Clinton fundraising network it should be possible to generate a substantial enough amount quickly enough to capture the public imagination,” she wrote.
Clinton’s responses to these ideas were not recorded in the emails.
Clinton’s published emails have already revealed a treasure trove of anti-Israel sentiments expressed by herself and her staff as well as suggestions for anti-Israel actions.
By: United with Israel Staff