Review of Mearsheimer-Walt, "The Israel Lobby"

Résumé du document

The last few decades has witnessed what is perceived to be unconditional support for the state of Israel. This support, which began after the 1967 War, is not wavering and according to two international scholars, sometimes contradicts the best interests of the United States of America. At the center of the controversy over the Israeli lobby are two prominent intellectuals, John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt. In their article regarding this very topic, Mearsheimer and Walt analyze the issue as to why the United States stubbornly continues to maintain an overwhelming pro-Israeli stance in its foreign policy, even at the expense of American national interests. Walt and Mearsheimer dictate that the Israel Lobby is an important variable in explaining the positions of the United States of America, particularly inside the Middle East.

Extraits

[...] Given the stated goals of other lobbying organizations, is the Israel Lobby an anomaly in American politics? According to Walt and Mearsheimer, “AIPAC is a de facto agent for a foreign government”(M&W, 18) and fact is that if there were no AIPAC, Americans would have a more critical view of Israel and US policy in the Middle East would look different”(See M&W Response in LRB). Further, the authors posit that, is common for members of Congress to turn to AIPAC first before going to other sources” (See M&W Response in LRB). [...]

[...] It can sound like a conspiracy theory, where a small number of people can actually bend the public opinion of the most powerful state toward the interests of a few. Even some of their critics, such as Jeffrey Herf and Andrei Markovits, for example, note that 'accusations of powerful Jews behind the scenes are part of the most dangerous traditions of modern anti-Semitism' The authors are saying that there is a code of silence within the US for not saying anything against Israel. It is because of the successful work of the Israel lobby that the political elite and even 66% of the American public are pro-Israelis. [...]

[...] Walt (Relié - août 2007) Tragedy of Great Power Politics par John J. Mearsheimer (Broché - 10 avril 2002) The Catholic University of America: See http://careers.cua.edu/handouts/lobbyingcareers.cfm The Storm over the Israel Lobby, The New York Review of Books. [...]

[...] Among the different instances where the strength of the Lobby can be demonstrated, according to Mearsheimer and Walt, are the Lobby's efforts to moderate or eliminate criticism of Israel's expansionist policies in the Occupied Territories, its place in encouraging the Iraq War, and its call for action against Iran and Syria. They say that we continue to support Israel and its policies in the Occupied Territories, invaded Iraq and toppled Saddam Hussein, and continue to exert a great deal of pressure on Iran especially because of the influence of the Lobby. [...]

[...] Mearshiemer and Walt argue that "AIPAC, a de facto agent of a foreign government, has a stranglehold on Congress, with the result that US policy towards Israel is not debated there " 18). Mearsheimer and Walt also argue that the Lobby has an uncanny ability to control the debate, or what they consider a non-debate, about Israel in America. They write, " the Lobby strives to shape public perceptions about Israel and the Middle East. It does not want an open debate on issues involving Israel, because an open debate might cause Americans to question the level of support that they currently provide. [...]