8/3/2019 Ron Paul Tells Haaretz - I Am Not an Anti-Semite

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Published 22:11 28.12.11

Ron Paul tells Haaretz: I am notan anti-SemiteU.S. presidential hopeful opposes foreign aid and believesthat American support for Israel was a main cause of 9/11terror attacks – but gives a 'green light' to an Israeliattack on Iran.

By Chemi Shalev

Tags: Israel US US Jews

Texas Congressman Ron Paul, who is leading the polls in advance of next Tuesday’s Republican caucuses in Iowa, denies allegations that he

has promoted anti-Semitism, saying that this would be “a betrayal of 

my own intellectual heritage.” 

 “Any kind of racism or anti-Semitism is incompatible with my

philosophy,” Paul said in an interview with Haaretz, conducted by

email. “Ludwig von Mises, the great economist whose writing helped

inspire my political career, was a Jew who was forced to leave hisnative Austria to escape the Nazis. Mises wrote about the folly of 

seeing people as part of groups rather than as individuals,” Paul said.

Paul said that he has “a terrific chance of doing very well in the Iowa

caucuses”, but appeared to be dismissing speculation – though not

unequivocally - that he would consider running as a third party

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candidate. “I have no intention or interest in running as a third party

candidate. My staff and I are doing our best to win the GOP

nomination,” he said.

Responding to questions submitted before the most recent flap about

anti-Semitic and racist content in his newsletters, Paul reiterated his

controversial positions that American support for Israel was one of the

reasons for the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and stuck by his opposition to

any and all foreign aid. But he said that he viewed Israel as “one of 

our most important friends in the world” and that he supports Israel

right to attack Iran in self-defense.

 “I do not believe we should be Israel’s master but, rather, her friend.

We should not be dictating her policies and announcing her negotiating

positions before talks with her neighbors have even begun.” 

Paul also said that he was “surprised and disappointed” at being left

out from the debate sponsored by the Republican Jewish Coalition, but

that he had not asked nor expected the other candidates to insist on

his inclusion.

Asked later about the controversial newsletters, Paul’s press secretary,

Gary Howard, wrote: “Dr. Paul has stated repeatedly that he did not

write those words, they are not his thoughts, he has disavowed themand apologized for such a serious lack of oversight of these things that

went out in his name over 20 years ago.” 

Here is the full text of the interview:

Q. What was your reaction to your exclusion from the function held by

the Republican Jewish Coalition, to which all the rest of the candidates

were invited?

Paul: Well, it was a bit surprising and disappointing. I believe that

Israel is one of our most important friends in the world. And the viewsthat I hold have many adherents in Israel today. Two of the tenets of a

true Zionist are “self-determination” and “self-reliance.” I do not

believe we should be Israel’s master but, rather, her friend. We should

not be dictating her policies and announcing her negotiating positions

before talks with her neighbors have even begun.

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Q. Were you disappointed with the lack of collegiality of the other

candidates, who did not insist that you be invited as well?

Paul: No. I did not ask or expect them to boycott the event or insist to

the organizers that I be invited.

Q. The RJC characterized your views on Israel as “misguided and

extreme”. Why do you think they view your views in that way?

Paul: I do not know, as I am the one candidate who would respect

Israel’s sovereignty and not try to dictate to her about how she should

deal with her neighbors. I supported Israel’s right to attack the Iraqi

nuclear reactor in the 1980s, and I opposed President Obama’s

attempt to dictate Israel’s borders this year.

Q. Do you think that the American debate on Israel is stifled?

Paul: There is no question that the problems of the Middle East have

been intractable and may take new solutions and ideas. These ideas

should all be openly discussed. I believe that my opinions have been

distorted by those who want to continue America’s current role as

world policeman, which we don’t have the money or manpower to

sustain.

My philosophy, like that of the Founding Fathers, is that we should useour resources to protect our nation. Our policies of intervention and

manipulation in Iran and Iraq and other places have led to unintended

consequences and have not made Israel safer. Many in the Jewish

community share my opinion, and it’s vital for both nations that wecontinue to have an open dialogue.

Q. In a 2007 clip that is on YouTube, you say, “Israel should be treated

like everybody else”. Is that still your position, or do you believe thatIsrael and the United States have a “special relationship”?

Q. Well, we do have some unique arrangements. We trade intelligence

in areas when it serves our mutual interest, for instance. But I believewe have gone too far, to Israel’s detriment. Instead of being her friend,

we have dominated her foreign policy.

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Q. In that same clip, you also say that the motivation of al-Qaida for

the 9/11 attacks was American support for Israel. Do you still believe

that?

Paul: I think most people in the Middle East and probably in Israel

would agree that this was a major factor. That in itself does not make

our policies right or wrong. Our policies need to be discussed on their

own merits, but as a matter of course, yes, our support of Israel has

made us enemies.

Other U.S. policies, such as our stationing of troops in Saudi Arabia

and our support for repressive regimes in the region, also play a role

in hostilities to the U.S. Those in the Arab world who object to the U.S.’ support for dictatorships and to our military presence there often see

Israel as the agent of the U.S. Thus, not only do Israel’s relations with

the U.S. cause some negative feelings toward America, but theyfurther Arab hostility toward Israel, which is one reason why Israel

would be better off without U.S. aid.

Q. In the Fox News presidential debate you expressed understanding

and even sympathy for the Iran having nuclear weapons. But Israelis

view an Iranian nuclear capability as an existential threat to their

country. Do you disagree? Do you not believe Iranian leaders who say

that Israel should be “wiped off the map”?

Paul: I am against the spread of nuclear weapons. But I do understand

why other nations want them and why they don’t accept the nuclear

monopoly as it now stands. You cannot change an opinion you don’t

understand. I understand it and would try to change it.

However, there’s a key fact that it seems is being overlooked when my

positions are discussed. I believe I’m the only candidate who would

allow Israel to take immediate action to defend herself without havingto get our approval. Israel should be free to take whatever steps she

deems necessary to protect her national security and sovereignty.

Q. Do you support completely cutting all foreign aid, including the aidto Israel?

Paul: Yes, I am personally against all foreign aid. We give $3 billion to

Israel and $12 billion to her avowed enemies. How does that helpIsrael? And in return, we act like her master and demand veto power

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over her foreign policy.

If I were President, such aid would not end until the Congress agreed

and voted for it to end, because I would be President as the U.S.

Constitution defines it. I am not running for dictator.

But I believe that federal foreign aid is absurd. We’re broke! We are

like a man who used to be rich and is in the habit of paying for

everybody’s meals and announces at a lavish dinner that he will pay

the bill, only to then turn to the fellow sitting nearby and say, “Can Iuse your credit card? I will pay you back.” It is ridiculous for us to be

borrowing money from China and giving it to Pakistan.

I have described foreign aid as taking money from poor people in rich

countries and giving it to rich people in poor countries. I know that

many in other nations are hurting, but I also know that the American

people are a generous people. While we should end the

unconstitutional federal foreign aid program, I would encourageAmericans to continue to voluntarily contribute to the needs of other

nations.

Q. In the past, you have been accused by various groups, including the

Anti-Defamation League, of accepting the support of racist and anti-

Semitic elements and of not doing anything to distance yourself for

them. What is your reaction to this accusation?

Paul: I have always made it clear, and will continue to do so, that my

message is based on the rights of all people to be treated equally. Any

type of racism or anti-Semitism is incompatible with my philosophy.

Ludwig von Mises, the great economist whose writing helped inspiremy political career, was a Jew who was forced to leave his native

Austria to escape the Nazis. Mises wrote about the folly of seeing

people as part of groups rather than as individuals. Therefore, for me

to advance anti-Semitism in any way would be a betrayal of my own

intellectual heritage.

Q. Will you win the Iowa primaries? Do you realistically believe thatyou have a chance of becoming the Republican candidacy for the

presidency? If not, would you consider running as a third candidate?

Paul: I have no intention or interest in running as a third party

candidate. My staff and I are doing our best to win the GOP

nomination, and, while I can’t know for sure what will happen, I think

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we have a terrific chance of doing very well in Iowa. I have great hope

for America, and I have been deeply encouraged by the young people

who have been able to understand the issues and stand courageously

for the changes we need.

Source: http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/west-of-eden/ron-paul-tells-haaretz-i-am-not-an-anti-semite-1.404208