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~ AIPAC Comes Under Scrutiny as FBI Continues Israel Espionage Probe
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WASHINGTON REPORT ON MIDDLE EASTAFFAIRS
Washington Report, December 2004, pages 22-23, 25
Israel and Judaism
AIPAC Comes Under Scrutiny as FBI Continues Israel
Espionage Probe
By Allan C. Brownfeld
It has been widely reported that the FBI Is Investigating the possibility that Lawrence Franklin, a
Pentagon analyst, passed c1asslfted material to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee
(AIPAC), which then handed the Information over to the Israeli Embassy In Washington (see
November 2004 Washington Report, p. 26).
Reported the Sept. 4 economist: "The unfolding saga surrounding Lawrence Franklin Is•••that he
gave classified documents on Iran to Israel. But there Is groWing speculation that the FBI
Investigation of Mr. Franklin Is the tip of an Iceb~rg. The reported anger of federal agents at the
leaking of the story Indicates a bigger probe that may have been under way for at least a
year•••Mr. Franklin allegedly passed draft: documents on American policy toward Iran to AIPAC, a
hugely Influential lobbying group In Washington, which In tum allegedly passed them to Israeli
officials. Both AIPAC and Israel have denied any wrongdoing. The Israelis. maintain that they have
been ultra-careful since the huge embarrassment In 1985 when Jonathan Pollard, an American
Intelligence analyst, was caught spying for Israel•••The scandal Is difficult for Israel, which wields
considerable Influence on American foreign policy•••It Is hard to put a positive spin on a spy In the
Pentagon, even If he Is talking to your frlends.&rdquo
Janes Intelligence Digest noted on Sept. 10 that, "Shortly before he retired In June as CIA
director, George Tenet alleged on more than one occasion that an Israeli agent was operating In
Washington. Tenet was challenged to Identify the agent, but for reasons that were never
explained he did not do so. Nonetheless, the episode underlined grOWing unease In some quarters
In Washington about the Influence Israel's right wing has In the Bush administration through the
pro-Ukud neoconservatives-largely In the Pentagon-and the powerful American Israel Public
Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and Its associated organizations such as the Washington Institute for
Near East Policy.&rdquo
The document.alleged to have been passed to AIPAC al1d the Israelis relates to U.S. policy.toward
Iran. According to Jane's, "U.S. officials are concerned because that document was being debated
by pollcymakers at the time, possibly putting the Israeli government lobbyists In a position to
Influence the final directive. U.S. policy toward Iran Is crudal to the Israelis, who have drawn up
plans to launch pre-emptive strikes against Iran's nuclear Installations to prevent the Islamic
Republic acquiring nuclear weapons that could be used against Israel.&'rdquo
Four ofthe leading neoconservatives have been accused in the past
ofillegally providing classified information to Israel.
Philip Glraldl, a former CIA officer, wrote In the.Oct. 11 Issue of The American Consentatlve that, ~ tl ~ljocS'
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