Sen. Lieberman's Zionist Connections -
A Conflict Of Interest?
By William Hughes
9-27-2
"No special foreign-based interest, like Zionism, should ever be placed above the interest of our Republic. Lieberman must be forced to come clean with the Senate about all his Zionist connections. Senate Rule 37 requires it and so does the future security of our nation."
On May 2, 2002, the Senate of the U.S. passed a notorious pro-Israel Resolution (S. Res. 247), with respect to the Mid-East controversy. Its co author was Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-CT). In pushing the measure, he barked, "You are either with us or the terrorists" (Washington Times, May 3, 2002). Who is this "us" he is talking about?
The measure falsely equated the U.S.'s post-9/11 fight against terrorism with Israel's brutal occupation of the Palestinian people in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. It also condoned Israel's vicious military attacks on Jenin, Ramallah and Bethlehem.
Black's Law Dictionary (5th Ed.) defines a conflict of interest as a "Term used in connection with public officials and their relationship to matters of private interest or gain to them."
The Senate Code of Official Conduct, "Conflict of Interest," Rule 37, Par. 2, states:
"No Member...shall engage in any outside business...which is inconsistent or in conflict with the conscientious performance of official duties."
The legislative history of this provision says, "It should be read to prohibit any outside activities which could represent a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest (See, Senate Ethics Manual, Select Committee on Ethics, United States Senate, p. 66).
The Congressional Directory, (107th Congress, 2001-2002), list the official biography for Lieberman. It is silent about his membership or association with any Zionist organizations or his adherence to a Zionist political ideology.
Lawmaking is built on trust. Lieberman has an obligation to his fellow senators to disclose fully his agenda to the members of the Senate. Almost all elected political entities abide by these ethical rules, which are centered on revealing any conflict of interest, appearance of a conflict of interest, prejudice, or bias.
Like all members of the Senate, Lieberman is required to file an annual "Financial Disclosure Statement" with the Secretary of the Senate. In his May 15, 2001 submittal, he again failed to mention any official membership in any Zionist organizations. Although, he does disclose his significant connection, as an advisory board member, to three Israeli-based non-profit organizations: "The Peres Center for Peace" at Tel Aviv; "Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies" at Bar-Ilan University, and the "Natural History Museum," located in Jerusalem.
Lieberman's membership in these Zionist affiliated groups does raise, on its face, an appearance of a conflict of interest on his part with respect to an issue, like S. Res. 247, since it advances the cause of Zionism and/or Zionist Israel. If he is in fact a Zionist, then the conflict between his public duties and his private interests becomes even more pronounced.
The Anti-Defamation League, a hot air organ for Israel, defines Zionism as, "The guiding nationalist movement of the majority of Jews around the world, who believe in, support and identify with the State of Israel." Does Lieberman subscribe, as a matter of personal political philosophy, to the ADL's definition of Zionism? If so, shouldn't he put that fact on the public record, whether he is a card carrying Zionist or not?
Actually, Zionism is an alien based political movement, global in scope, racially restrictive, with its spiritual headquarters in Tel Aviv, and not Washington, D.C. It aspires to a land grabbing "Greater Israel."
[snip]
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