Unaired skit parodies US Senate's Israel focus

Feb 12

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Unaired skit parodies US Senate's Israel focus

Saturday Night Live takes on Defense nominee's contentious confirmation hearing.

Former Republican Senator from Nebraska Chuck Hagel testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee on his nomination for the post of Secretary of Defense in Washington, DC, January 31, 2013. EPA/JIM LO SCALZO

A recent skit by the US comedy show Saturday Night Live mocked recent hearings to confirm former Senator Chuck Hagel as US Defense Secretary. The segment, which was posted online but not aired on television, mocks questions by Republican senators on Hagel's previous statements about the US relationship with Israel. Many in Washington have accused Hagel of appeasing Iran and having insufficient support for the state of Israel.

View the story "Unaired skit parodies US Senate's Israel focus" on StorifyUnaired skit parodies US Senate's Israel focusSaturday Night Live takes on Defense nominee's contentious confirmation hearing.Storified by The Stream· Tue, Feb 12 2013 12:43:05Note: The following video contains explicit content and language.Dress Rehearsal: C-Span Chuck Hagel Hearings (Saturday Night Live)NBCIn the hearing itself, senators mentioned Israel 106 times. Hagel grilled by senate for Pentagon postaljazeeraenglishNetizens weighed in on the hearing's focus on Israel and Hagel's responses. The way Israel 1st controlling the Hagel Nomination is sickening. "Patriotic" Tweeple are silent in Hagels defense. Does Israel run USA orArt PressleyThe Lost Tribe of Israel: Senate's Twelve Jews Back Hagel - makes ya wonder, huh? http://tinyurl.com/bdx78umJen MIsrael was mentioned well over 100 times during Chuck Hagel's hearing. It really is very obvious how overbearing Israeli Lobby has become. The One#GOP is going to allow #Israel to politicize the commander in chief's pick for secretary of defense? #tcot #p2 #Hagel #Obama #OpIsrael #owspolymath22We, the terrorist Islamic nation of Iran, support the nominee for Sec of Def, Pro-Iran/Anti-Israel Chuckie Hagel! Ahh, that we be a HELL NO!MightyManGManThe potential confirmation of Chuck #Hagel as Defense Secretary, is dangerous for America and Israel. Horrible pick! #tcotJosh Nass#Hagel wants to negotiate with Hamas. Hamas is sworn to the destruction of the State of Israel. I guess Hagel is too.Wisdom for Women@CUFI Will anyone be surprised if Israel gets attacked within 30 days of Hagel vote thanks to and blessing of majority US Jewish voters?Public Integrity FSIn a Time article, researchers discovered a discrepancy between mentions of Israel and mentions of Afghanistan, where the US currently has 66,000 troops at war. MondoweissThere was also a discrepancy between Democratic and Republican Senate members' focus on Israel and Afghanistan. WordpressWordpressAbraham H. Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, said in an interview with the Daily Beast that the sketch "reinforces the pernicious notion of Jewish control over this government." He had previously raised concerns about Hagel's stance on the Israel lobby. The non-existent Jewish lobby goes after SNL. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/02/11/snl-lands-in-hot-water-with-anti-defamation-league-over-hagel-sketch.htmlMJ RosenbergSome netizens dismissed Foxman's qualms.@MJayRosenberg Wait, I thought donkeys were kosher?Marc HochsteinAn unaired SNL sketch lampooning Israel’s friends in congress is riling up some of the thin skinned usual suspects. http://thebea.st/11CtJ5NHisham MelhemHilarious: Foxman criticizes SNL Hagel sketch: "focuses on the issue of Israel to such a ridiculous extreme" http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/02/11/snl-lands-in-hot-water-with-anti-defamation-league-over-hagel-sketch.htmlMatt Duss#SNL Lands in Hot Water Over Unaired #Hagel Sketch http://thebea.st/11CtJ5M @thedailybeast Making a fuss means MANY MORE will watch it. #uhhuhChason WainwrightFox News has also criticised Hagel for not disclosing two speeches on the topic of Arab-Israeli relations from 2008. In his defense, an aide said that they were not formal events, so it was not necessary to disclose them.