Judge Won't Dismiss Pro-Israel Spy Case

[Judi Lynn]

Judge Won't Dismiss Pro-Israel Spy Case
By MATTHEW BARAKAT
Associated Press Writer

August 10, 2006, 6:07 PM EDT


CHANTILLY, Va. -- A federal judge rejected claims Thursday that two former lobbyists' constitutional rights would be violated if they were prosecuted under a World War I-era espionage law for receiving and disclosing national defense information.

U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III ruled that the 1917 Espionage Act is not unconstitutionally broad and vague when it seeks to bar receipt or disclosure of "information related to the national defense."

The indictment against Steven Rosen of Silver Spring, Md., and Keith Weissman of Bethesda, Md., alleges that they conspired to obtain classified reports on issues relevant to American policy, including the al-Qaida terror network; the bombing of the Khobar Towers dormitory in Saudi Arabia, which killed 19 U.S. Air Force personnel; and U.S. policy in Iran.

Rosen and Weissman, former lobbyists for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, are accused of sharing the information with reporters and foreign diplomats. No trial date has been set.
(snip/...)

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-pen...

[Tom Joad]

1. I think we need to stop AIPAC. this is good news.

I want to direct people's attention to this site.
www.stopAIPAC.org

[NorthernSun]

2. Good for the judge!

AIPAC has way too much clout in Washington.

[Fredda Weinberg]

So you'd cut off your nose to spite your face?

If this law can be applied to non-governmental personnel, you realize that journalists will be the next logical target?

[Fredda Weinberg]

3. So you'd cut off your nose to spite your face?

If this law can be applied to non-governmental personnel, you realize that journalists will be the next logical target?

[Tom Joad]

6. Mordechai Vanunu was a real hero. Israel locked him up for 18 years.

He told the world about Israel's vast nuclear arsenal. Israelis did not even know of its extent. This is what a spy is not... he gave the info to the press, and it was something that should have been told, so Israel and the rest of the world could debate this fact.

On the other hand, the purpose of these two was to help Israel forment war with Iran. Whose interest is that in? No one other than the war mongers who presently rule Israel.

[Malikshah]

11. Nope-- just cut of people who are maliciously spying for another country's

interests--no matter what country.

Now that is as plain as the nose on my face.

[robcon]

4. That what the NYT did.

"Rosen and Weissman, former lobbyists for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, are accused of sharing the information with reporters and foreign diplomats."

In other words, releasing secret info to the public (through leaks in the case of these two guys - on the front page in the NYT case.)

[Poll_Blind]

5. Note: These two scumbags were not uncovering government corruption...

...or crimes, they were stealing classified information for distribution to a foreign nation- in this case, Israel.

  If convicted, let them share the same fate as Pollard (who also spied for Israel). They will request Prisoner of Zion status and they will be given the coldest shoulder, just like Pollard. I've read the DOJ case against them in it's entirety (at least what has been publicly released) and they aren't going to get much breathing room if this is allowed to go to court.

  But Isreal is our frrrrrrrriend!

  But Israel is our ally!

  Well? Then start goddamned-well acting like it.

  Is that to f*ckung much to ask? Really? Is that just too much to ask?

PB

[jpkenny]

8. I rest your case. Great post. nt

[papau]

7. Reagan Judge spits on Constitution/civil rights for "security reasons" is

not exactly unexpected.

Per Wiki:

Ellis was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on July 1, 1987, to a seat vacated by Robert R. Merhige. He was confirmed by the Senate on August 5, 1987.

On Thursday, May 18, 2006 Ellis dismissed a lawsuit filed by Khalid El-Masri, a German citizen, against the CIA and three private companies allegedly involved with his kidnapping, transport, and torture in Kabul. Ellis explained his belief that a public trial would "present a grave risk of injury to national security"<1>, though acknowledging that "if El-Masri's allegations are true or essentially true, then all fair-minded people, including those who believe that state secrets must be protected, that this lawsuit cannot proceed, and that renditions are a necessary step to take in this war, must also agree that El-Masri has suffered injuries as a result of our country's mistake and deserves a remedy."<2>

[Vidar]

9. Good for the judge.

[eccles12]

10. But AIPAC is strong enough to get it thrown out at the next level.

I think at this level, it was all for show. I do hope I am mistaken, though.

[leesa]

12. Good. Get these bastards.

And then kick AIPAC out of the government.

[chill_wind]

15. We need reform for ALL the big lobbies, not just AIPAC.

The defense/mil lobbies, the oil lobbies, big pharm, the insurance lobbies, the NRA--- could go on and on. All of it taints, corrupts and unduly controls the political process. All of it.

[Poll_Blind]

16. The biggest AMEN to that! AIPAC may be one of the worst but...

...it represents an entire system which is in dire need of reform.

PB

[chill_wind]

17. Entire and dire-- roger that!

Abramoff, Cunningham, MZM, Harris, Jerry Lewis etc etc etc etc---

Sunlight Foundation

http://www.sunlightfoundation.com/taxonomy/term/20?page...

[chill_wind]

13. Really good backstory in the New Yorker

from 2005 on Franklin, Rosen, other key players, AIPAC spy case
Long, but worthwhile read.

REAL INSIDERS
A pro-Israel lobby and an F.B.I. sting.
by JEFFREY GOLDBERG
Issue of 2005-07-04


http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/050704fa...

[DoYouEverWonder]

14. Isn't this the same judge

that's on the Plame case? Or is my memory wrong?