Customer Reviews

Deliberate Deceptions: Facing the Facts About the U.S.-Israeli Relationship

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(2)

 

 

"Deliberate Deceptions" is the second Paul Findley book I have read. The first, of course, was "They Dare to Speak Out." Findley, a former congressman from Illinois, is a crusader for truth in the relationship between Israel and the United States. In "They Dare to Speak Out," Findley discusses the sinister influence of the pro-Israel lobby on American government. In this book, Findley broadens his criticism well beyond the borders of lobbying. The importance of Findley's books take on additional dimensions of meaning since the terrorist attacks of last summer.

"Deliberate Deceptions" exposes serious concerns about Israeli-U.S. relations. Findley argues, convincingly, that Israel is an aggressive, hostile state that will stop at nothing to further its own ends at the expense of others. Israel suctions billions of dollars out of U.S. coffers, with special deals on loans and military hardware that no other country in the world gets. Israel also has the bomb and refuses to allow international inspections of its facilities in the Negev desert. Findley reveals Israel's spy networks in the United States, its cozy relationship with the South African government (during the Apartheid era), and its tendency to resell American military technologies for self-enrichment. The amount of statements and evidence Findley marshals is both amazing and disgusting. Where is the United States government when all of this is happening? It's in large part our government that reinforces this bad behavior. Politicians, according to Findley, are scared of Israel's lobby and influence. The result is that the U.S. turns a blind eye to these shenanigans.

The Palestinians are the primary victims of Israel's aggression. Since the founding of Israel, the Palestinians have endured non-stop forced deportations, land seizures, violence, torture, and murder. Occasionally, the Palestinian people tire of Israel and events like the Intifada occur. Findley shows how Israel responds to these incidents by instituting policies that encourage soldiers to break bones and attack children and senior citizens. Palestinians that are considered citizens of Israel are treated as second-class citizens, as Israel considers itself a purely Jewish nation. The United Nations runs itself ragged denouncing Israel for its actions towards the Palestine people, and Findley provides a list of UN edicts towards Israel that is staggering to behold. Findley argues that great strides could be made in the Palestinian-Israeli problem if Israel would quit building settlements in occupied territory and withdraw to its UN mandated borders. Israel refuses to do this, and the whole world has to deal with the fallout, with endless peace plans and negotiations that go nowhere.

One of my criticisms with the book concerns Findley's account of the Intifada. Findley lists how many Palestinians were detained, murdered, and injured. I think he should have included figures on how many Jews were killed in the uprising. This would bolster his arguments better, in my opinion, as those numbers are probably lower than the Palestinian numbers. Still, this book is shocking in its implications and should be read by all Americans. I recommend reading this book before reading "They Dare to Speak Out."

For those who find themselves confused and misinformed, because of the sheer flow of distorted information and propaganda regarding the Palestinian question and Middle East crisis, I would strongly recommend this book. Here Findley portraits, in a readable and simple fashion, the basic illusions under which the american public has been nurtured, regarding the true intentions and policies of the theocratic government in Israel, and the suppression of palestinians fundamental human rights.
This is a book that must be read to aquire a more balanced view of the Middle East drama, specially now that the fundamental right of a Palestinian State to exist is being again denied by the ortodox driven government of Sharon.
Here you will find, in a very simple and understandable presentation, the basic information about the British ill fated handling of the palestinian land; the meaning of the Balfour Declaration; an explanation of the U.N. Resolutions regarding the State of Israel and its policies; and revealing facts about the deceptions and the wars that have been fought, not usually presented in a truthful manner to the american voters.
Only if the true facts are known, and this is why one must read this book, the appalling tragedy of the palestinian people can be understood. Only then, will it be possible for the U.S. to shape a different foreign policy towards the Middle East based on the premise that all fanatical and totalitarian views must be abandoned, including those of the right wing in Israel, in order to seek a solution to the problem. The U.S. has unduly financed and permitted, through a miopic view of the situation, the furtherance of an expansionistic vision by Sharon, and the destruction of Palestinian Authority. This will not stop until the cries of the moderate Israeli politicians prevail. On the other hand, the problems that terrorism has brought to America will increase if we keep giving unconditionally military aid to a country that practices terroristic tactics with our weapons, while we preach to the world that we are on a crusade against terrorism. Double standards must be put to an end because now they are directly jeopardazing our security and our fundamental interests.
Findley has been persecuted because of his books and his quest to present the required material to form an objective view of the situation. For this, he has been named an anti-semite. But we dont need more propaganda. JUST THE FACTS. AND FACTS SET FORTH IN THIS BOOK CAN AND HAVE BEEN VERIFIED. If Findley were a jew, he would be called a self-denier like the jew professors and moderate Israeli politicians that have valiantly revealed those same facts, and cannot accept that a sistematic violation of human rights, no matter the motivations, is being perpetrated by the same people that suffered brutally at the hand of Hitler.

Findley has researched his subject carefully and is in a personal position to know what he's talking about. The American-Isreali relationship richly deserves the close scrutiny he has given it in this book. A must read for anyone interested in the current situation in the Middle East.

BY FAR ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS PUBLISHED ON THIS HORRENDOUS DRAIN ON AMERICAN TAXPAYERS DOLLERS. PAUL FINDLEY IS A TRUE AMERICAN TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM OPENLY AND WITH ENDLESS DOCUMENTATION. VERY BALANCED ON THE FALLACYS AND FACTS. WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO SOMEONE WANTING TO UNDERSTAND THE LOPSIDED PRO ISRAELI ATTATUDE IN AMERICAN GOVERMENT AND THE MEDIA.

Findley's book represents a very fine introduction any person could have to the topic of Israel, Palestine and the United States. It covers almost all major historical points of the conflict, as well as Israeli-American relations and the Israeli Lobby. Findley's goal is to present the many wrong doings of Israel toward Palestinians, Arabs, AND Americans; he certainly is not trying to present a balanced view on the topic. This book is an alternative to the view presented by Western media which, in my view, is almost dedicated to vindicating Israel from most of its wrong doings.

In the introduction Findley explains how, countrary to what is being presented to the public, the Israeli left (Labor) is actually more dangerous than the right (Likud) in the sense that both work towards the same goals (e.g. increase illegal settlements), but while the right does it in-your-face style, the left preach one thing while doing the other. In the book, Findley also talks about the many Arab initiatives for peace offers and how Israel turned them all down as they included the return of Israel to the June 4th, 1967 line to which Israel opposes.

Many times the breadth covered in the book limits the depth of the addressed issue. On the whole however, for a beginner who gets his news from the usual sources: CBS, CNN, NBC, ABC, U.S News & World Report, NY Times, Washington Post, Findley's book is the missing link and a major hole filler. Most of the issues discussed in it are rarely, or addressed only in-the-passing in the main stream. These include: Israeli attack on the USS Liberty and the U.S. refusal to conduct a propper followup investigation, Israeli cooperation with Apartheid S. Africa, passing of American technology to China and Russia, Israel's Nuclear program, the colossal U.S. Aid, Christian population decline, Israel's discrimination policies towards non-Jewish citizens, and the Palestinian refugee problem.

Almost every statement made is properly referenced, which adds to the value of the book. Every topic and sub-topic is addressed by first listing a "Fallacy", which is a statement made, often, by a pro-Israel person or group on that topic. Then a few paragraphs would follow, titled "Fact", aimed at refuting the fallacy by listing many facts. Most statements used for refutation are quotations by Israeli (mostly), American, and Arab leaders, such as Rabin, Meir, Dayan, Begin, as well as many Israeli, British and American historians and connoisseurs, such as Beit-Halhami, Sachar, Chomsky, Morris, Pape, Cockburn, Eban, and Melman.

As an introduction and a quick reference, the book deserves a 9/10, with the only drawback being the lack of depth on some of the topics.

An outstanding book in explaning who is controlling US policy in the Middle East.

Paul tells you the facts and nothing but the facts.....this is a book that is worth reading if you are wondering what is happening in US politics and who is controlling what is going on inside and outside America.

You should also consider reading "The Holocaust Industry" by Norman Finkelstein. This book will shed more light on why this country in heading in the direction that is not in the best interest of America.

This book addresses with hard facts the questions that should be on the tip of everyone's tongue regarding US policy in the Middle East. It lays bare the extent of our perversion of justice by our complicit attitude toward Israeli war and occupation crimes.
The only way we will be able to initiate change and bring about justice is if more people realize the error of our policy, to which end the dissemination of this book and the facts contained herein is vital.

Once you start you can't stop. No matter what anyone says about this book being slightly unbalanced, one thing remains true. And that truth is that Mr. Findly gives a reference to every single claim and fact that he makes. A book is only as good as how well it is researched and if the author gives references to check his own work then it is in this context that true academic scholarship is presented. Two thumbs up. Bravo. I can never look at the Arab/Israeli conflict in the same light again. If you think Paul fundly is lying all you have to do is read his well documented sources. It almost seemed as if there was a reference in every sentence of the book. A must read to all political science students. Also shown is the nature of Israels apartheid regime and the complacency of our government to allow this.

I read "They Dare to Speak Out" and it opened my eyes. Deliberate Deceptions (Findley's 2nd book) is one of the only books that I have ever read that exposes the TRUTH about the US-Israeli relationship and about Israel's roles in events over the past 50 years. If you want to read what really happened, instead of reading propaganda, read this book!

Former U.S. Congressman Findley points out in this book how Israeli propaganda has succeeded in presenting the American public with a misleading picture of Middle East events. He also demonstrates the difficulties successive American governments have faced when they tried to influence policies of the state of Israel which ran counter to those of the world at large.
The book comes in three parts which are : Statehood and Conquest; Collusion and Conflict; Perils to Peace. In addition the book contains: a list of major organizations focused on Middle East policy, notes which document the statements made as well as a good bibliography. In each of the three parts Findley takes brief statements from Israeli sources, the press, and individuals who are friendly to the policies of the state of Israel and compares them with actual events that have transpired. It is apparent that the American public has been and continues to be skillfully misled by propaganda efforts which insist that the policies of the state of Israel are identical with the interests of the United States.
From the Israeli standpoint this is perfectly understandable because a small embattled nation requires the powerful support only the United States can give. Findley provides a much needed American perspective from his personal experiences in Congress and meticulous research of the relevant literature. He also points out that the commonly perceived fundamental difference between a Likud and a Labor government is more in terms of tactics rather than goals. Both types of government want to preserve and expand the settlements in the occupied territories. The book was published in 1993 and subsequent events have proven Findley correct. It is becoming quite apparent that, regardless of who is in power in Jerusalem, the coalition governments are averse to a genuinely sovereign Palestinian state which has contiguous borders. Although lip service is being paid to "autonomy," which can be interpreted in different ways, the facts on the ground are steadily being altered in Israel's favor, and United Nations resolutions are steadfastly ignored. Findley lists 69 specific resolutions (from 1948-1990) critical of Israel's policies and documents how America consistently vetoed, as the only Security Council member, Resolutions which might have investigated or alleviated the plight of the occupied Palestinian people. This fact alone shows an enormous bias in U.S. foreign policy in favor of Jerusalem's governments and does not give us credibility as an "honest broker" of the conflict either in Arab eyes or in those of the rest of the world.
In order to make his points, Findley is at times somewhat repetitive but since the topic is so important and relatively neglected by American non-Jewish authors that is a minor fault. Since events continue to go from bad to worse in the Middle East, and the United States is still throwing its full weight behind Israel's policies, we are now reaping the fruits of our conduct. Deny it as we might in our media, our unquestioned support of Israel's policies is one factor which has led us into our current "War on Terrorism" and this war cannot be won as long as we do not act in an even-handed manner.
Findley's book deserves to be updated but even in its current version should be required reading for all who are in influential positions in government and the media. To ignore or villify the book will become increasingly dangerous.