Rabu, 01 Juni 2011

The Israel Lobby and American Politics

In March 2006, the American political scientists John Mearsheimer (University of Chicago) and Steve Walt (Harvard) published the controversial article 'The Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy.' In the article, it stated no longer expedient for the US to support and protect present-day Israel. The documentary sheds light on both parties involved in the discussion; those who wish to maintain the strong tie between the US and Israel, and those who were critical of it and not infrequently became 'victims' of the lobby. The question arises to what extend the pro-Israel lobby ultimately determines the military and political importance of Israel itself.

Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson (Colin Powell's former chief-of-staff) explains how the lobby's influence affects the decision-making structure in the White House. It becomes evident in listening to this piece that if politicians are sympathetic to Israel's cause, then AIPAC will provide them with generous campaign funds for the next election. Senators and congressmen who speak against what is occurring with the support of Israel or that a closer look be made to what is happening in Israel, their political career is over of being antisemitic.

The well-financed Holocaust media and "educational" campaign is crucially important to the interests of Israel. Paula Hyman, a professor of modern Jewish history at Yale University, has observed: "With regard to Israel, the Holocaust may be used to forestall political criticism and suppress debate; it reinforces the sense of Jews as an eternally beleaguered people who can rely for their defense only upon themselves. The invocation of the suffering endured by the Jews under the Nazis often takes the place of rational argument, and is expected to convince doubters of the legitimacy of current Israeli government policy."[1]

National security decision making is heavily influenced by the Israel Lobby. Israel was a partner in the decision that Iraq was a threat to national security of the US and Israel. A prediction was made that if we go to war with Iran, it will be a precursor to WWIII. This is an important clip.


(YouTube link)

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