During a recent podcast on Israel, Iran and antisemitism, Ben Rhodes, former Deputy National Security Adviser under the Obama administration, criticized Israel’s right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him “corrupt and cruel” while leveling other criticisms of the conservative pro-Israel community.
Rhodes joined Peter Beinart, a fellow at the Foundation for Middle East Peace and editor-at-large of Jewish Currents, on his podcast, Occupied Thoughts, to discuss the controversial topic.
As expected, Rhodes was criticized by some Jewish Groups. But in a tweet, this Thursday, former CIA Director Mike Pompeo said that Rhodes’ “corrupt and cruel” comment was aimed at “all Jews.”
“Ben Rhodes told @J_Insider that @netanyahu — and all Jews — are ‘corrupt and cruel.’ While this view is taking root among some Democrats, does President Biden agree? I hope not,” Pompeo wrote.
Pompeo’s tweet sparked a huge wave of backlash, mostly from people accusing him of lying about what Rhodes said.
Rhodes himself slammed Pompeo, saying, “Outright and offensive lies and disinformation are at the center of the right wing authoritarian political project in this country today. They have to create an alternate world because they can’t win debates or elections in the real one.”
Check out some of the reactions below:
Ben Rhodes told @J_Insider that @netanyahu — and all Jews — are “corrupt and cruel.” While this view is taking root among some Democrats, does President Biden agree? I hope not.https://t.co/43aFOqgeC2
— Mike Pompeo (@mikepompeo) February 18, 2021
What a filthy liar you are. It's always amazing that pompous liars like yourself also hypocritically consider themselves "godly" men. I don't know what "god" you worship, but if he's a filthy liar like you are, that's not a religion any decent person would choose.
— Dr. Ohm 🇺🇲 (@HereToRebuild) February 19, 2021
Would you buy a used car from Mike Pompeo? I rest my case. This never happened. https://t.co/96VauKNohm
— Howard Dean (@GovHowardDean) February 19, 2021
If there is one thing you can always count on Mike Pompeo for, it’s lying and corruption.
In this case he blatantly lies about the words of Ben Rhodes. Not taken out of context. Just straight up lying.
But you’re of course a fine ‘Christian’ man, right Mike? 😂
— Jack©️ (@Jackasaurus3) February 18, 2021
Aside from the fact this is a vicious lie, the underlying logic here is worth thinking about. Pompeo's comments only make sense if you see Netanyahu as the King of the Jews who deserves total fealty from his people (Rhodes is half-Jewish). That's a very stupid and dangerous idea https://t.co/50Wo0AGVmK
— Jeet Heer (@HeerJeet) February 19, 2021
This outrageous lie is just still up here FYI https://t.co/Lz8Hi01EIc
— Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) February 19, 2021
So Pompeo is obviously lying about this but bc Rhodes is himself Jewish, Pompeo has also lied his way into an interesting variant of the liar paradox https://t.co/XyDaDEfmFh
— dylan matthews (@dylanmatt) February 19, 2021
Please don’t call him Mr. Secretary..a more corrupt and illegitimate “secretary” I cannot even imagine. Pompeo simply does not command the respect of the former office he brought so very low.
— Ginger Ritchey Wear A Mask VOTE (@GingerRitchey) February 19, 2021
Nobody wants to hear from you blimp!! https://t.co/k8IK832HZy
— Toni (@Toni45683078) February 19, 2021
This is a disgusting, brazen lie from the failed former Secretary of State. Lies like this undermine efforts to combat real antisemitism, and this garbage tells you everything you need to know about Pompeo's character. https://t.co/4vv9gkY6gl
— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) February 18, 2021
