SALON

Graham grills Hagel on “Jewish lobby” comments

Sen. Lindsey Graham pressed Hagel shortly after he expressed "regret" for the remarks VIDEO

Topics: Video, Chuck Hagel, Lindsey Graham, Senate Armed Services Committee, Israel, Defense Secretary,

Graham grills Hagel on (Credit: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., pressed Chuck Hagel about an interview in which Hagel referred to the “Jewish lobby.” Graham asked: “Name one dumb thing we’ve been goaded into doing by the Israeli, Jewish lobby.”

The comments in question were from 2006, in an interview with Middle East analyst Aaron David Miller. “The political reality is that you intimidate, not you — that the Jewish lobby intimidates a lot of people up here,” Hagel said. “Again, I have always argued against some of the dumb things they do because I don’t think it’s in the interest of Israel. I just don’t think it’s smart for Israel.”

In his confirmation hearings Thursday, Hagel again expressed regret for those comments, first in response to questions from Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss. “I’ve already said I regret referencing the Jewish lobby,” Hagel said. “I should have said pro-Israel lobby. I think it’s the only time on the record I’ve ever said that.” He added that he should have said “influence,” not “intimidate,” and “I should not have said ‘dumb’ or ‘stupid’ because I understand, appreciate there are different views in these things.”

Graham was not satisfied. “Name one person who is intimidated by the Jewish lobby,” Graham asked Hagel, adding: “Name one dumb thing we’ve been goaded into doing by the Israeli, Jewish lobby.”

“I don’t know,” Hagel replied.

“Then why did you say it?” Graham asked. “I can’t think of a more provocative thing to say.”

“The statements you made about Palestinians and about ‘the Jewish lobby,’ all that together” sends “the worst possible message to our enemies and friends,” Graham continued.

Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

Next Article

Featured Slide Shows

Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

close X
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11
  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

  • Recent Slide Shows

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 11

Comments

13 Comments

Comment Preview

Your name will appear as username ( settings | log out )

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href=""> <b> <em> <strong> <i> <blockquote>