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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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 OPINION 
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Real Reason for Rich Pardon: Israeli Pressure

It's a taboo topic in DC, as evidenced by Holder's hearing

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(Newser) – For the sake of a quiet confirmation, attorney general nominee Eric Holder is letting us forget the real reason for Bill Clinton’s controversial Marc Rich pardon. Clinton didn’t let Rich off the hook because of his generous wife, writes Joe Conason in Salon. He did so because of pressure from Israel, but that fact seems to be a "forbidden" topic in Washington.

At the end of his presidency, Clinton was looking for anything he could use as leverage on the Israelis to accept a peace deal. And Israel wanted to protect Rich. “Winning the pardon was a top priority for Israeli officials because Rich had long been a financial and intelligence asset of the Jewish state.” Holder takes much of the blame for the pardon, and unfairly so. It was Clinton's decision, and the need to sway Israel drove it.

Attorney General-designate Eric Holder is sworn in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, prior to testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on his nomination.
Attorney General-designate Eric Holder is sworn in on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009, prior to testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on his nomination.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Marc Rich is shown in this Nov. 27, 200. file photo in Switzerland.
Marc Rich is shown in this Nov. 27, 200. file photo in Switzerland.   (AP Photo/Urs Flueeler, file)
Bill Clinton meets with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak in the Oval Office of the White House November 12, 2000 in Washington DC.
Bill Clinton meets with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak in the Oval Office of the White House November 12, 2000 in Washington DC.   (Getty Images)
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Considering that his objective is to get through the hearings without undue stress, that was probably the wisest course. Telling the truth would only have inflamed the Republicans and the press, while creating unwanted drama for Obama. - Joe Conason

Even now, the true machinations behind the Rich pardon cannot be discussed honestly -- perhaps because they implicate the government and the security services of the state of Israel. - Joe Conason

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