“Israel and the United States have a special relationship. With our shared history and common values, the American and Israeli people have formed a bond that unites us across the many thousands of miles between our countries and calls us to work together towards peace and prosperity for our countries.” -- Rand Paul, Republican US Senate nominee, Kentucky

by Eric Dondero

With the Israeli attacks on the Muslim Terrorist Flotilla front and center in the news, some interesting political dynamics have opened up. Leftists who may have been attracted to Ron Paul in past campaigns, are now openly distancing themselves from the campaign of his libertarian-conservative son Rand Paul for US Senate. And they appear to be doing so primarly over his views on Defense matters, particularly the younger Paul's steadfast support for Israel.

Kelly Vlahos is a freelance reporter in Washington D.C. She is a former reporter for the Socialist Workers News and currently rights for the Pat Buchanan supporting, paleo American Conservative magazine. She's a frequent guest on Pacifica Radio, Democracy Now!, and Al Jazeera.

She recently penned an editorial at AntiWar.com, "Rand Paul Drinks Tea, Turns Into Hawk?"

Vlahos leads off:

Today, Paul’s son Rand is one step closer to becoming a U.S. senator, giving him a platform exceeding that of his libertarian father’s on Capitol Hill. This development should be a major boon for antiwar activists and civil libertarians who have long relied on the elder Paul and his “revolution” as a reasonable voice for non-intervention...

But after months of a grueling primary, it is not yet clear where the younger Paul’s savvy campaigning ends and his true ideological impulses begin, particularly on national security and foreign policy.

Vlahos then goes on to criticize Paul's strong defense of Israel, and even accuses him of being too much like the staunchly Pro-Israel George W. Bush:

More recently, he publicly chose sides with Israel on the politically explosive issue of Middle East peace. This seems so oddly forced and out of place that it might only be explained as more pandering to the right wing:

“I would never vote to place trade restrictions on Israel, and I would filibuster any attempts to place sanctions on Israel or tariffs on any Israeli goods.

“The issue of Palestine is incredibly difficult and complex. The entire world wishes for peace in the region, but any arrangement or treaty must come from Israel, when she is ready and when her conditions have been met.

“I strongly object to the arrogant approach of Obama administration, itself a continuation of the failures of past U.S. administrations, as they push Israel to make security concessions behind thinly veiled threats.

“Only Israel can decide what is in her security interest, not America and certainly not the United Nations. Friends do not coerce friends to trade land for peace, or to give up the vital security interests of their people.”

It all sounds too much like the last administration for some of his early supporters to bear.

Christine Smith of Colorado, who has an AntiWar blog cites some Pro-Defense positions of Rand Paul, including "Supports military tribunals for Guantanamo detainees" rather than given the same constitutional rights of American citizens.

the last thing we need is to become identified with another right wing conservative with stances so anti-freedom. The positions above I consider to be antithetic to limited government and respect for individual liberty

I will never support someone who is just another conservative... This is why I do not support Rand Paul...

Meanwhile, another prominent AntiWar activist aligned with groups such as Code Pink is Justin Raimondo (AntiWar.com). He says of the younger Paul:

I wouldn’t give Rand Paul the time of day.

Raimondo in a recent editorial criticized Paul for his comments in favor of defending Israel from a nuclear attack by Iran in the Middle East.

Raimondo is of course, a prime 9/11 Truther who suggests in his soon-to-be-released book "The Terror Enigma: Israel and the 911 Connection" that Israel itself was behind the attacks.

Carol Moore, a longtime Leftist Libertarian activists acknowledges on her blog CarolMoore.net that Raimondo is known to harbor "alleged anti-Semitism." She describes Raimondo, Managing Editor for AntiWar.com as "The most vehement and unceasing libertarian critic of Israel."

Attacks from fringe types such as Raimondo, Vlahos and Smith, can only help Paul to win election in the Fall among traditionalist fiercely pro-military/pro-defense Kentucky voters.