Norman Podhoretz and "dual loyalty"

MANIFESTO

Glenn Greenwald, himself a Jew, discusses Norman Podhoretz's new book (For another review, see here.) wherein Mr. P argues that

American Jews do—and should—base their political beliefs not on what is best for their own country, but on what is best for a foreign country (Israel). According to him, even though Obama shares most of their views on political matters ("on abortion, gay rights, school prayer, gun control and assisted suicide, the survey data show that Jews are by far the most liberal of any group in America"), American Jews should have nonetheless voted for McCain because of McCain's alleged "long history of sympathy with Israel."

Moreover, Greenwald asserts that

This [dual loyalty] has been permitted for a long time now. Neocons arrogate unto themselves the right to make appeals to what they believe is the "dual loyalty" of American Jews—most of whom, in fact, reject their radical ideology—when trying to coerce support for their agenda. Podhoretz's Commentary Magazine convened a "symposium" of some of the nation's most typical war-loving neocons to discuss his new book, and virtually everyone of them argued that American Jews should shift their political loyalties to the Right because the Right is "better for Israel"—as though considerations of what's best for a foreign country is how most American Jews (rather than just neocons) decide how they vote in American elections. Neocons have long gotten away with this manipulative game: simultaneously demanding that American Jews support the Right on the ground that the Right is allegedly better for Israel (i.e., a "dual loyalty" appeal) while branding as "bigots" and "anti-Semites" anyone and everyone who points out that neocons think this way.

As one who's been uncomfortable pointing "out that neocons think this way" (I'm thinking of accusations I've made against a certain northeastern former Democratic US senator.), I'm glad to see Greenwald make the argument that there are certain politicians who base their political beliefs not on what is best for their own country, but on what is best for Israel.

In other words, voters should vote for someone who'll serve them in Washington and not in Jerusalem.