The pro-Israel lobbies and the Israel-Palestine conundrum

As Israel expands its war against the Palestinians in Gaza, the unconditional support of the US for the occupation state continues unabated. Most recently, the White House reiterated its support by stating, “We did not draw red lines for Israel.”

Washington’s initial reactions were framed within the context of Israel’s “right to self-defence” against Hamas, supported by footage showing Israeli civilians under threat, which resonated with public opinion. The self-defence narrative was an effective part of Israel’s perception management arsenal.

However, as the situation developed, Israel’s operations in Gaza shifted to “collective punishment”, marked by the horrendous loss of civilian lives and the targeting of residential blocks. The destruction of hospitals, schools, places of worship and other civilian infrastructure has raised concerns worldwide.

READ: Ex-PM says Israel losing Western public opinion

Against this backdrop, the international community is divided. Calls for de-escalation of violence and the need for a peaceful resolution are occasionally emphasised by Europe. Conversely, the US, historically a staunch ally of Israel, reiterates consistently its unwavering support for the apartheid state’s “right to self-defence”.

Beneath these unequivocal statements of support, the broader historical and political contexts of the latest escalation are omitted, and with this omission we don’t hear about the complex web of grievances, oppression, land misappropriation and the plight of the Palestinian people, who have been suffering under Israeli occupation for many decades. Issues such as the status of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements in the West Bank (all of which are illegal), and the blockade of Gaza perpetuate tensions and cycles of violence.

The influence of the pro-Israel lobby on US politics continues to increase

Almost two decades after the publication of John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt’s seminal book The Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy, the influence of the pro-Israel lobby on US politics continues to increase. This influence plays a significant part in shaping Washington’s policies and position on the Israel-Palestine issue, preventing Washington from playing an effective mediation role in the region while weakening the US position in the long run. This is true no matter who is in the White House.

Lobbying plays a considerable role in the country’s political landscape, policy decisions and election outcomes. Through substantial campaign contributions, media influence, financial support and perception management actions, organisations such as AIPAC, JFNA, ADL and J Street have a big say in America’s Israel-related and other policies.

The power and influence of Jewish Americans can be exemplified through various case studies, among which is the reaction to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal. Paradoxically, the liberal-leaning J Street supported this agreement under the rationale that its signing would prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons. AIPAC, however, opposed the deal, as it would lift US sanctions on Iran. Consequently, these two groups faced off during the 2016 Illinois Senate race, backing opposing candidates, Senator Mark Kirk and Senator Tammy Duckworth, who were funded a total of $701,973 for their campaigns by the respective lobbies. This single-state scenario illustrates the broader picture. While J Street’s efforts culminated with the signing of this agreement by the Obama administration in 2015, AIPAC managed eventually to torpedo the deal under President Donald Trump’s administration in 2018.

OPINION: Bernie Sanders and the Zionist narrative

Moreover, pro-Israel lobby groups, including AIPAC and the North American Jewish Federations, advocate consistently for substantial financial aid packages to Israel. AIPAC defines itself as a bipartisan organisation, and the bills it lobbies for in Congress are always supported by both the Democrats and Republicans. In 2020, AIPAC lobbied successfully to increase military aid to Israel. Notably, since World War Two, the US has provided more aid to Israel than any other country, handing over more than $260 billion in total.

What do politicians gain from this? The answer is quite simple: power.

During the 2018 midterm elections, for example, Jewish American lobbyists such as J Street supported Democratic candidates advocating for a more diplomatic approach towards Iran and criticising the policies of the Trump administration. As a result, Democrats, for the first time since 2010, gained the majority in the House of Representatives.

Prior to the 2020 Presidential elections, Sheldon Adelson shaped the Republican Party’s policy orientation significantly by contributing $172.7 million to Republican candidates and causes. Donors like Haim Saban, James Simons and George Soros contributed millions to various Democratic candidates and causes in the 2020 US presidential election.

The Biden administration and the Republicans are now competing to demonstrate “who supports Israel the most” in an effort to attract support for the 2024 presidential election. The aim is to woo the powerful pro-Israel lobby groups.

It is worth noting, though, that the Jewish American community is not monolithic, and the influence of these lobbies is just one component of a broader democratic system where various interest groups try to increase their political footprint. However, influential pro-Israel lobbying groups like AIPAC, JFNA, ADL and J Street support Israel’s war in Gaza. This has led to US bias towards Israel across the political spectrum. Despite a few voices criticising Israeli policies, overwhelming support from influential pro-Israel lobby groups and political donors hinders a more balanced approach in US foreign policy towards Israel-Palestine.

READ: US Congresswoman Rashid Tlaib censured over criticism of Israel

Another side of the coin is the substantial flak that the pro-Israel lobby directs at any credible opposition to the pro-Israel narrative. This is where allegations of anti-Semitism have been weaponised. The label is corrosive and extremely difficult to rebuff. The dismissal of Representative Ilhan Omar from the House Foreign Affairs Committee is a case in point.

While lobbies or interest groups are legal in American politics, addressing ethical considerations has become paramount for maintaining a robust and representative democratic system in the US. The unconditional support given to Israel by the US makes it impossible for Washington to be an honest broker for peace, and thus exacerbates the problems in the Middle East. This stance has the potential to damage America’s long-term relationships and interests in the region. Furthermore, with this approach, the Democrats could lose many votes in their constituencies as anti-war groups, including US citizens from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, have opposed the ongoing Israeli onslaught on Gaza.

It is time for US policymakers to revisit the unchecked power of the lobbies in Washington, especially the pro-Israel lobby. The current war in Gaza shows the limits of the current system, limits that disadvantage US foreign policy and could accelerate the erosion of its dominance of world affairs.

OPINION: Mr President, you lie, and Palestinian children die

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.