An Unholy Alliance With the Chávez Regime?

An Unholy Alliance With the Chávez Regime?
by Sara Saber-Freedman
Executive Vice President, CIC

Even those who are critical of Israeli policies may find it hard to understand why any organization with the word “Jewish” in its name would be encouraging its members to participate in a rally supporting the Chavez Government in Venezuela.

The Chávez Government has long been associated with various repressive policies. Just last month, Human Rights Watch, a frequent and severe critic of the Chávez regime, cited Venezuela for threatening the nation’s broadcasters.  In a Christmas speech some years ago, Venezuelan President Chávez accused the Jews of killing Christ.  According to Forbes Magazine, “In a shameless display of cynicism, Chávez wants to scare his dwindling supporters into believing that the Jews are going to destroy the revolution, assassinate him and take away whatever goodies he may hand out. Chávez figures enough voters might just fall for it, making him look like an underdog who has challenged those with money and power. Meanwhile, his strategic allies in Iran, Syria, Hezbollah and Hamas stay satisfied. Chávez needs an enemy to blame for missing eggs and meat at the market, soaring prices, rampant unemployment and crime – and who better than the Jews?”

Venezuela was the scene of a violent attack last year on Caracas’s oldest synagogue. And yet JWCEO (Jewish Women’s Committee to End the Occupation), whose membership is frequently associated with Independent Jewish Voices (IJV), is encouraging its members to rally in SUPPORT of the Chávez regime. We have to wonder why. Chávez has strong support from within Ahmadinijad’s Iran. Could it be that an unholy alliance has developed between JWCEO, IJV and the Iranian regime’s preferred anti-Zionist organization?

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