Palestine News: AIPAC Case Dropped

AIPAC Lobbyist Case Dropped by Government Prosecutors

Federal prosecutors moved to drop charges against two former pro-Israel lobbyists accused of receiving and disclosing classified defense information pertaining to US policy towards Iran. They also allegedly traded in information on al-Qaeda and the 1996 bombing of the Khobar Towers dormitory in Saudi Arabia.

The prosecution’s case against Steven J. Rosen and Keith Weissman suffered several setbacks in pre-trial rulings from the trial judge, who rejected several government efforts to conceal classified information in trial. The judge also set the bar high legally, requiring prosecution to show they intended to harm U.S. national security. Also, the judge allowed former high officials such as Condoleezza Rice, the former secretary of state, and Stephen J. Hadley, to be called to testify.

Given the delicacy of relations between the United States and Israel, this case deeply questioned political norms in the capital. As the New York Times put it, "the case was fraught with deep political dimensions, as it raised delicate issue of behind-the-scenes lobbying over Middle East policy and the role played by American Jewish supporters of Israel."

Mr. Rosen and Mr. Weissman were charged with communicating national defense information to people not entitled to receive it. The indictment suggested they disseminated classified information to journalists, fellow AIPAC employees and Israeli diplomats.

"Given the diminished likelihood the government will prevail at trial under the additional intent requirements imposed by the court and the inevitable disclosure of classified information that would occur at any trial in this matter, we have asked the court to dismiss the indictment," government attorney, Dana Boente, said.

HEADLINES

Gaza still waiting for pledged aid - UN official (Reuters)

Feds dropping charges against pro-Israel lobbyists (AP)

Israel/US: Clinton Should Press to End Gaza Blockade (Human Rights Watch)

UN asks Israel to freeze Arab home demolitions (The Associated Press)

Palestine and the Palestinians

Palestinians discussing Egyptian truce proposal (Ynetnews)

Palestinians try cheese-making and produce a fine pecorino (McClatchy)

Israeli warplanes target Gaza tunnels (AFP)

Israel

IDF to punish permit-breaching workers (Jerusalem Post)

Airline sorry for omitting Israel (BBC News)

Israel: World Bank is 'ignoring facts' (Jerusalem Post)

IDF to probe Palestinian abuse claim (Ynetnews)

The Neighbors

Saudi denies report that king met Israel's Peres (Reuters)

Saudi slams US claim of King talks with Israel's Peres (AFP)

International Relations/Law

Iran's Ahmadinejad Calls West's Claims of Democracy 'Sheer Lies' (Salem-News.Com)

Arts and Activism

'Lemon Tree' more sweet than sour (Chicago Tribune)

A fable of Israelis, Palestinians (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Misc.

Issam Khalidi: The Zionist movement and sports in Palestine (Electronic Intifada)

Commentary

George S. Hishmeh: Crossing a marker (Palestine Chronicle)

Rami G. Khouri: Deceptive Calm in Gaza (Agence Global)

Serge Schmemann: When Israel Confronted and Rejected Torture (New York Times)

Nadia Hijab: The Israel Boycott is Biting (Agence Global)

MJ Rosenberg : Dynamite. US Getting Ready To Push Its Own Israeli-Palestinian Plan (Israel Policy Forum)

Views expressed on this post or on linked web pages do not represent the Palestine Center, the educational program of the Jerusalem Fund for Education and Community Development. All content is for educational purposes only.

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