Commentary Magazine   Can Jewish Groups Speak Out on Hagel?  One
of the interesting subtexts about the debate over the nomination
of Chuck Hagel to be secretary of defense has been the relative
silence from the organized Jewish world. Though there was
widespread shock from most pro-Israel activists, even those who
were loyal liberal Democrats, about the president’s decision to
choose one of the least Israel-friendly members of the U.S.
Senate in the last generation to run the Pentagon, none of the
major groups, aside from the Zionist Organization of America,
spoke up publicly about his unsuitability for the post or his
out-of-the mainstream views.  The reasons for this silence were
obvious to anyone who understands their missions and how they
operate. The refusal of the major Jewish organizations was
rooted in their natural reluctance to embroil themselves in
fights they think would hamper their ability to do their jobs.
But at this juncture in the Hagel saga, after the nominee
flopped at his Senate confirmat