Written by John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt, translated by Yonghwan Kim, published by Crete
Both U.S. Democrats and Republicans are pro-Israel
Even as concerns grow about the escalation of war in the Middle East
Israel’s military actions cannot be suppressed
Jewish-funded lobbying group
Waving the election board to decide who wins or loses
Has a huge impact on Washington
news/cms/202410/25/news-p.v1.20241025.44156008bdc3409c91851c4f55b30bdc_R.png" data-width="500" data-height="330" /> Enlarge photo U.S. Defense: “Additional deployment of THAAD batteries to Israel completed” THAAD launcher mounted on U.S. military transport aircraft [사진 = AP 연합뉴스]
The US presidential election is just around the corner. How great it would be if we could know in advance the results of the presidential election between Republican former President Donald Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. The two sides are at sharp odds on many issues, including abortion, same-sex marriage, taxes, education, and immigration. However, we are of one voice on one issue. It is a policy toward Israel, which is currently waging a ‘bloody war’.
U.S. President Joe Biden is providing full support to Israel in response to the war in the Gaza Strip that broke out a year ago, supplying cutting-edge weapons to Israel. Of course, at the same time, they are urging restraint in the escalation of the war and a diplomatic solution, but they are unable to put a brake on Israel’s unilateral military actions. If former President Trump takes the throne again, there is a high probability that he will give further strength to Israel’s hardline actions. During Trump’s first term, he already announced that he would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.
Although there is such a difference in temperature, why does the United States, regardless of whether it is the Republican Party or the Democratic Party, pursue pro-Israel policies? Several reasons can be considered.
First of all, the United States and Israel are strategic allies. Israel’s overwhelming military and intelligence power are essential to protecting America’s hegemony and security in the Middle East. Additionally, the only democratic country in the Middle East is Israel. This means that we share identity and democratic values. Here’s one more. This is the powerful lobbying power that Israeli individuals and organizations are pouring into the U.S. government and political circles.
‘Why Does the United States Stand with Israel’ (original title: The Israel Lobby), co-authored by John Mearsheimer, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, and Stephen Walt, a professor of international affairs at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School, explores the complex relationship between Israel and the United States. This is an important work of analysis. Professor Mearsheimer, the lead author, breaks taboos and asks provocative questions. Why does the United States pursue a foreign policy that is biased against Israel? Even though it is in a direction that undermines America’s global leadership.
The clue lies in the lobbying groups. The authors define the Israel lobby as a network of various groups and individuals working to support Israel’s interests and influence U.S. policy. The Israel lobby dominates other types of lobbies. This is because no lobby has ever driven the United States to adopt policies that run counter to its national interests.
The key organization in the Israel lobby is the American-Israel Public Policy Committee (AIPAC). With its enormous financial power, it has significant influence on policy decisions in Washington. This is also supported by the fact that the candidate supported by AIPAC was overwhelmingly elected. In addition, more than half of the lawmakers, 250 to 300 people, immediately responded to AIPAC’s demands.
news/cms/202410/25/news-p.v1.20241023.e5ba60fe7418456799d08d5befad79d8_R.jpg" data-width="458" data-height="663" /> Enlarge photo Why is the United States on Israel’s side?
AIPAC’s influence did not arise overnight. Even after Israel was founded in 1948, lobbying took place quietly behind the scenes. It relied on personal contacts between government officials, the president, and a small number of Jewish leaders. Isaiah Kennen, one of the founders, relied on personal contacts with key lawmakers rather than mass campaigns or crowd mobilization. And the first rule was set as follows. “Stand behind the law. “Don’t go to the front.”
Secretive yet close-knit lobbying blossomed in the 1960s under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. At this time, Jewish wealth and influence exploded, and Kennedy and Johnson had many Jews as advisors, donors, and personal friends. After the Third Middle East War in 1967, the so-called ‘Six Day War’, the size, financial power, and influence of lobbying groups grew rapidly. Before the outbreak of war, the Israeli government instructed its ambassador in Washington as follows: “Let us shape the public mood to put pressure on the Johnson administration, but without it being revealed that we are behind the public campaign.” In fact, Americans who are favorable to Israel created a friendly atmosphere for Israel by sending letters to the White House, writing to newspapers, sending telegrams, and issuing public statements.
As time goes by, the Israel lobby is leaning sharply to the right. Christian Zionists, a right-wing Christian movement, are also participating in the lobbying. ‘Christian Coalition for Israel (CUFI)’ actively supported Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by sending a record-breaking donation of $1 million to Israel just a few days after Hamas’ surprise attack began last year. Zionism is a national movement that aims to return and restore the Jewish homeland of Israel (Zion) and theologically justifies the war in the Gaza Strip.
This book was published in 2007, 17 years ago now. However, the reality of U.S. Middle East policy has not changed or improved significantly whether it was 17 years ago or now. It is still a valid guide for understanding the current US presidential election and predicting who will be elected as US president.
