The Israel Lobby

[malaise]

by John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt

Very good read

http://www.coastalpost.com/06/08/01.html

<snip>
Since the October War in 1973, Washington has provided Israel with a level of support dwarfing that given to any other state. It has been the largest annual recipient of direct economic and military assistance since 1976, and is the largest recipient in total since World War Two, to the tune of well over $140 billion (in 2004 dollars). Israel receives about $3 billion in direct assistance each year, roughly one-fifth of the foreign aid budget, and worth about $500 a year for every Israeli. This largesse is especially striking since Israel is now a wealthy industrial state with a per capita income roughly equal to that of South Korea or Spain.

Other recipients get their money in quarterly installments, but Israel receives its entire appropriation at the beginning of each fiscal year and can thus earn interest on it. Most recipients of aid given for military purposes are required to spend all of it in the US, but Israel is allowed to use roughly 25 per cent of its allocation to subsidise its own defence industry. It is the only recipient that does not have to account for how the aid is spent, which makes it virtually impossible to prevent the money from being used for purposes the US opposes, such as building settlements on the West Bank. Moreover, the US has provided Israel with nearly $3 billion to develop weapons systems, and given it access to such top-drawer weaponry as Blackhawk helicopters and F-16 jets. Finally, the US gives Israel access to intelligence it denies to its Nato allies and has turned a blind eye to Israel's acquisition of nuclear weapons.

[Jim__]

1. This paper and the American media

Does anyone know if this paper has been published in any major American media?

The history of this paper is that it was contracted by The Atlantic Monthly in 2002. Then The Atlantic rejected it. it was finally published in The London Review of Books, I think in 2006.

Criticism of Israel by American politicians and American media is almost non-existent. This is a story about the American government. Why did it have to be published in an British magazine?

[malaise]

2. We both know why

and only the American people can change this. Everyone should read this.

[Norquist Nemesis]

7. From Univ of Chicago student newspaper

http://maroon.uchicago.edu/news/articles/2006/03/31/critics_attack_israe.php

"The London Review of Books first published the paper two weeks ago, and it also appeared on the Kennedy School’s website in a section that invites faculty members to discuss and debate posted articles."

I've been thinking about the Mearsheimer piece quite a bit since this recent escalation among Israel, Palestine and Lebanon. And now, with the Mel Gibson thing.

[oc2002]

3. That study was burried by the media because they are afraid of it.

or more precicely The Lobby will come after them.

And I read it while ago in its pdf format, it is a long but well done study of about 90 pages including a extensive background documentation.

not one study disputes The Lobby's actions or the anti-american agenda.

[daydreamer]

4. I thought the Republicans are against welfare even for Americans.

[Tom Joad]

5. Check out this website. www.stopAIPAC.org -Perspectives on the lobby.

http://www.stopaipac.org

On this page, "Perspectives" in particular, there are links to various essays in response to the paper, and the Israel lobby and its effect on US foreign policy in the Middle East. You don't have to think they are the only guilty party to believe we have to work against this lobby. One of the things that bothers me about the M&W paper is that it seems to say that U.S. foreign policy would be cool if it weren't for the lobby. But, as Noam Chomsky and others ask, where is U.S. policy anywhere in the world favor democracy and human rights over militarism? Still, it is my view that we need to organize against the lobby that favors such extreme policies---

For example, at least in Congress, when there is a funding resolution for the Colombia military, there is at least token opposition... There is no such debate about funding the Israeli military. i suspect if we could expose and weaken the Israel Lobby, we could at least begin to see more of a debate about this issue. I think even among many US citizens who "support Israel" want to see more fairness in our policy than currently exists.

This page is about a few protests (best one, Bruce Taub of Progressive Democrats of America telling AIPAC'ers what he thinks of their racist outfit.

Tom says check it out.

[oc2002]

6. the first thing that must happen is AIPAC must register as a foriegn lobby

there are laws in the books that would curb thier influence and the amount of money being laundered by AIPAC from Israel(from our taxes) and back into politicians pockets.

it is the zenith of corruption and the FBI or homeland security should have it invsetigated