Tom Friedman Doesn’t Let the Facts Get in His Way By Aigle Middle East • December 2011 • Views: 1,045 Among the most disturbing claims in Tom Friedman’s recent op-ed is his grossly offensive and false statement that the standing ovation for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Congress was ‘bought and paid for by the Israel lobby.’ Unfortunately, it is not the only falsehood in a piece replete with distortions and classic anti-Semitic canards.