Posted on 03/18/2006 10:39:55 PM PST by SmithL
A new study, claiming that the pro-Israel lobby in America caused the United States to skew its Middle East policy in favor of Israel, is stirring controversy in the pro and anti-Israel communities in the US.
The 81-page report, written by John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt for the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, argues that the pro-Israel lobby in the US managed to convince American lawmakers, officials and US public opinion to support Israel, even though this support runs counter to America's own national interests.
"The overall thrust of US policy in the region is due almost entirely to US domestic politics, and especially to the activities of the 'Israel Lobby,'" the paper writes, adding that while other lobbies have tried to affect US foreign policy, "no lobby has managed to divert US foreign policy as far from what the American national interest would otherwise suggest, while simultaneously convincing Americans that US and Israeli interests are essentially identical." The academic paper, whose authors are well-known scholars in the fields of political science and government, sets out to dispute almost every argument of the pro-Israel activists in the US.
It argues that supporting Israel is not in America's best interest and furthermore, that it complicates the US's international stand and its ability to fight terror. "Israel is in fact a liability in the war on terror and the broader effort to deal with rogue states," the authors write, claiming that "The United States has a terrorism problem in good part because it is so closely allied with Israel, not the other way around." The paper also argues that the US would not be worried about Iran, Iraq and Syria, if not for its close ties with Israel.
The Harvard paper also argues that Israel is not a worthy ally for the US, that it is not a true democracy and that it uses torture methods that are against American values.
The main claim of the authors is that the powerful pro-Israel lobby in the US is the reason for a biased US foreign policy in the region that favors Israel. They point to The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)'s activity in Congress and in the executive branch and talk about how it allegedly "manipulates the media" and "polices academia" in order to make sure the US maintains a pro-Israel approach. The authors add that AIPAC also uses the claim of anti-Semitism, or "the great silencer" as they refer to it, to shut off any criticism of Israel.
The paper voices the claim that pro-Israeli officials in the Bush administration, namely Paul Wolfowitz, Douglas Feith and David Wurmser, were behind the push for war in Iraq and that the pro-Israel lobby was a driving force in encouraging the administration to go to war against Saddam Hussein.
The research has sparked instant controversy in the US. It was distributed over the weekend through several Web sites and list serves known for their anti-Israel approach and drew harsh criticism from pro-Israel activists.
An official with a pro-Israel organization in Washington said that the authors' disagreement "is not with America's pro-Israel lobby, but with the American people, who overwhelmingly support our relationship with Israel, and with Democrats and Republicans in successive administrations and Congress, who so strongly and consistently support the special relationship between the United States and Israel."
"A well reasoned and balanced statement. One that will be rejected by the Israel ping constituents once their primary spokespersons are made aware of this thread."
Actually it was shallow, ill informed, and void of context. Thanks for playing.
You have it now, in PC version - it is called geographical diversity quotas. But do not worry, just move to Arkansas or Mississippi and you will be accepted :)
"And to expect us to provide an additional $2 billion to assist them in their relocation of the Gaza settlers is the height of chutzpah..."
As opposed to ourt playing kissyface with Arafat for decades, criticizing them for defending themselves, and to directly address your comment, browbeat them into "ending the occupation" when even Bill Clinton said that Israel should retain land necessary for the strategic depth it needs for self defense. Not to mention interfering in the 2nd Israeli election in a decade. None of that strikes you as a little nervy?
In 1967 Soviet Union decided to side with Arab countries and USA with Israel.
"The same Americans that would kill the US to support Israel at all costs "
Try making your argument again without basing it on absurd, crude, bigoted, insulting strawmen.
I wouldn't, which you would know if you bother to read my post 28 above. Why on earth would you think I would want to continue aid to Egypt?
" In 1967 Soviet Union decided to side with Arab countries and USA with Israel."
In it's current form and quantity it began as a result of the Israel/Egypt peace treaty and Israel's Sinai withdrawl which is really just a temporary truce fueled by aid and military equipment to both.
"I wouldn't, which you would know if you bother to read my post 28 above. Why on earth would you think I would want to continue aid to Egypt?"
Didn't see that msg as it wasn't part of the thread.
I'd personally be fine with ending US aid entirely and cutting taxes to match.
We can afford to be nervy because it's on our dime. What we can't allow is the tail wagging the dog because of the influence of AIPAC, which is the essence of what this article is talking about
Are you sitting down? Ready to be shocked?
This doesn't get much play particularly in the hate Israel circles but the US and Israel reached an agreement several years ago and Israel today gets very little ECONOMIC aid- the aid that concerns you- from the US.
Howe about less then 8% of what you wrote?
Happy?
"We can afford to be nervy because it's on our dime. What we can't allow is the tail wagging the dog because of the influence of AIPAC, which is the essence of what this article is talking about'
Do you propose curbing all lobbying in the US, or just by AIPAC?
Absurd? There are in reality millions of people of all faiths and in numerous countries across the globe that correlate worshiping the literal real estate of Israel with worshiping the almighty God himself. Now that is absurd.
Bigoted? The last time I checked my dictionary for the word bigoted it made no reference to stating facts in relation to a broad or non specified group.
Insulting? Only to those who put US interest below that of Israel.
Strawman? Only if you can't see the forest for the trees.
Where does one find these evil Americans? Do they have any special characteristics?
"Absurd? There are in reality millions of people of all faiths and in numerous countries across the globe that correlate worshiping the literal real estate of Israel with worshiping the almighty God himself. Now that is absurd."
It's absurd - an absurd strawman.
Bigoted, because you dusted off the old "dual loyalties" charge. That might work on Stormfront, but not here.
Why do YOU say "they" are evil?
There is no specific group. It is a very widely healed belief that Israel is more important than any other country.
Go ahead and keep on fishing but I am not antisemitic, I'm equal-semitic. Sorry. No cigar.
Charging who with dual loyalties? Who are you talking about with these dual loyalties? I'm talking about Americans in general not a minority group.
" Where does one find these evil Americans? Do they have any special characteristics?"
The big noses and curly hair are hard to hide. The tail and horns are removed at a special ceremony called a Brisk, after a goyim baby is sacrificed and it's blood carefully collected to use for baking passover Matzot. Then they all the ambulance chasing lawyers and hollywood actors get together to collect money to be used to lobby washington for billions for israel, even though the lawyers and actors are outwardly pro-Arab.What are you, blind???!!
Wow..sounds like my Aunt Fay. Hehehe.
She had a chip on her shoulder that I left lying there.
"I'm equal-semitic"
Translation please?
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