The unmatched influence of the American Jewish lobby

While the White House has been celebrating its historic healthcare victory this week, a major event has been taking place down the road.

It’s the annual conference of AIPAC – Israel’s American lobby group – which gets bombarded with Washington heavyweights all trying to prove they are the bigger fan of Israel.

Why – because unlike any other organisation, AIPAC has the power to end any politician’s career.

AIPAC

AIPAC stands for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Its job is to maintain America’s support and favourable opinion towards Israel.

It has an annual budget of US$60 million, a staff of 275, and is backed up by over 100,000 grassroots members. It also has an endowment of $135 million and a new $80 million headquarters on Capitol Hill.

AIPAC is smart, wealthy and organised, and is arguably the most powerful lobby group in America.

Almost every major US politician including Barack Obama has spoken at their conference.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was the keynote speaker this week, backed up by Tony Blair.

Israel actually copped some criticism from Clinton in her speech, to go with the unhappy remarks from the White House last week over its settlement building.

However, such criticism is rare. The US was even quick to reaffirm the strong relationship between the two countries in an almost apologetic manner.

This begs a simple question – why is the mighty United States so scared of little old Israel?

They reason is the determined influence of the Jewish lobby.

Indeed, the influence is so strong that to publicly criticise Israel is a social and political taboo.

Journalists and academics have quickly learnt that being pro-Israeli in the US makes it a lot easier to further your career.

But it’s the politicians who have the most to fear.

It is now commonly held knowledge in the halls of Washington that if a politician ever spoke out for the rights of the Palestinians on the Congress or Senate floor, that would be the end of their career.

They would be shunned by other politicians, making any legislation they propose, particularly for their state, almost impossible to get passed.

But more significantly, their opponent in the next election would be flooded with political donations, and an advertising campaign would likely label them a supporter of terrorism and an enemy of Israel.

The advertising and anti-Semitic (anti-Jewish) accusations from the opponent, not to mention the lack of progress in Washington, would collectively make the election unwinnable.

Seem far-fetched? It happened to Alabama congressman Earl Hilliard in 2002.

The threat is a reality for politicians thanks to AIPAC’s highly organised band of followers.

AIPAC does not fund campaigns themselves. Instead they provide their followers with voting statistics on congressmen and advise which candidate to support and donate money to.

And their followers are not just Jewish Americans. Some of the staunchest supporters of AIPAC and Israel are evangelical Christians – a quarter of American voters.

All over the country Christian preachers are telling their congregations they must support Israel because the Bible says so.

So what does all this support mean for the Middle East?

The US in turn uses its power over Arab countries in the region to silence their criticism. It also blocks any legal condemnation by using its veto in the UN Security Council.

And lastly, the US gives US$3 billion a year to Israel – making it the largest recipient of foreign aid in the world. This reinforces Israel’s financial and military superiority over the Palestinians.

But this support is beginning to backfire – if only a little.

Last week, General David Petraeus, America’s highest military commander, told the US Congress that America’s favouritism towards Israel had caused anti-American sentiment to the point that it was no longer in America’s interests.

Colin Powell’s former Chief of Staff Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson agrees, saying Israel is now a strategic burden on America.

And AIPAC is beginning to lose its monopoly on Israeli lobbying. In 2008 an Israeli lobby group called J Street started up as a voice for more moderate Jewish Americans.

They campaign for Israel’s security and right to exist, but do so by promoting the return of Palestinian land to the 1967 borders – essentially what the Arab and international community wants.

But J Street is still a minor player compared to AIPAC. And although President Obama gave them legitimacy by inviting them to the White House, they still have a long way to go before having any real influence on America’s approach.

Indeed, the influence AIPAC has on America cannot be underestimated. It’s akin to Israel having the referee on their side in a soccer match against the Palestinians.

So until America and the world wakes up to this silencing act, there is little hope for peace and justice in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

By The Casual Truth