The FBI investigation against AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee), has been stepped up. AIPAC is suspected of being involved in the transfer of classified information to Israel. Four senior AIPAC officials, including executive director Howard Kohr, were subpoenaed before a grand jury.
The FBI also raided AIPAC's offices in Washington, seeking computer files and other material relating to the activities of two other AIPAC officials who were already questioned in August: director of research Steve Rosen and deputy director of foreign policy issues Keith Weissman. Yesterday's search was the second at AIPAC's offices.
Six key AIPAC officials who comprise its power and drive, are now caught up in the investigation.
The investigation into AIPAC, launched two years ago, is focusing on suspicion that Defense Department analyst Larry Franklin gave AIPAC classified information that wound up in Israel. Franklin works on Iran and Middle East issues in the department's Office of Policy, headed by US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Douglas Feith. In the wake of the revelation of the investigation in August, there were reports that classified information allegedly delivered to Israel included a draft speech on Iran by President George W. Bush.
The investigation has also enmeshed Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs at the Embassy of Israel in Washington Naor Gilon. There were reports in late summer that he might be deported from the US. This report, like reports about imminent arrests, was not borne out, and the investigation appeared to be winding down. Jewish sources believed at the time that the Bush administration, which was making a major effort at attracting Jewish votes in key states before the November elections, would not allow an investigation against AIPAC, one of the strongest Jewish organization in the US, to disrupt Bush's election campaign.
It may now be presumed that some American Jews will now claim that the Bush administration gave a green light to resume the investigation, after giving up on the Jewish vote, since the majority of Jews voted for the Democratic candidate, Senator John Kerry.
However, other sources in Washington believe that the White House will not allow AIPAC to be harmed, since it is one of the administration's strongest allies in the war on terrorism.
An AIPAC spokesman told the "Financial Times" that the four AIPAC officials were subpoenaed solely to give testimony before the grand jury, and that they would not be indicted.
AIPAC stated, "AIPAC has done nothing wrong. Neither AIPAC nor any member of our staff has broken any law. We are fully cooperating with the governmental authorities. We believe any court of law or grand jury will conclude that AIPAC employees have always acted legally, properly and appropriately."
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on December 2, 2004