Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) today sent a letter to each member of the New York Congressional Delegation expressing his dismay about the appointment of Charles “Chas” Freeman as the chairman of the National Intelligence Council, which is responsible for producing National Intelligence Estimates. A former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mr. Freeman is considered by many to be a controversial figure, owing to his incendiary remarks, contentious ideologies, and affiliations with China and Saudi Arabia.

In 2007, Mr. Freeman was quoted as saying that the main reason America is faced with terrorism today is “the brutal oppression of the Palestinians by an Israeli occupation that is about to mark its fortieth anniversary and shows no signs of ending.” Mr. Freeman has also embraced John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt’s work entitled, “The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy” which alleges that American Jews have a “stronghold” on the Congress which they use to further Israel’s interests.

With respect to the 1989 massacre in Tiananmen Square, Mr. Freeman stated, “I do not believe it is acceptable for any country to allow the heart of its national capital to be occupied by dissidents intent on disrupting the normal functions of government, however appealing to foreigners their propaganda may be.”

“Mr. Freeman’s anti-Western values pose a serious danger to the liberties we enjoy in this nation,” Hikind said. “It is beyond my imagination how someone like this could be appointed to such an important and prominent position in the president’s administration.”

Currently, Freeman serves as the president of the Middle East Policy Council, a think tank which is funded by the Saudis. The Council was responsible for the distribution of an “Arab World Studies Notebook” to American schools. An examination of the textbook conducted by JTA in 2005 revealed a grossly inaccurate and distorted version of “facts” relating to Israel and Jews in general.

“President Obama must take immediate and swift action to rescind Mr. Freeman’s appointment,” remarked Hikind. “The United States’ intelligence policy should not be shaped by someone whose belief system is in direct opposition to the ideals, we as Americans, hold so dear.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)