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The Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy
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Review
"Controversial." --Terry Gross, "Fresh Air," NPR
"It could not be more timely." --David Bromwich, "The Huffington Post"
"The strategic questions they raise now, particularly about Israel's privileged relationship with the United States, are worth debating." --David Remnick. "The New Yorker"
"Ruthlessly realistic." --William Grimes, "The New York Times"
"The argument they present is towering and clear and about time.""" --Philip Weiss, Mondoweiss.com
"Mearsheimer, a political scientist at the University of Chicago, and Walt, on the faculty at Harvard, set off a political firestorm." --Jay Solomon, "The Wall Street Journal.com"
"Promises controversy on a scale not seen since Samuel Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" sought to reframe a new world order." --Stefan Halper, National Interest.com
"Deals with Middle East policymaking at a time when America's problems in that region surpass our problems anywhere else . . . People are definitely arguing about it. It's also t
Michael Ignatieff
'Instead of celebrating America's power in the world or excoriating American hubris, Stephen Walt asks the critical questions.'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The book discusses the influence of the Israel lobby on the American decision-making bodies and key figures.
Notice here that I use the expression ''the Israel Lobby'', not ''Jewish Lobby'', and the reason is simple: out of around 75 Jewish pressure groups active in the American political realm, only a small number of them stand adamantly for Israel's 'right' to do whatever she prefers, and cracks down on any attempt to even criticize the Jewish state. The rest of the groups, although pro-Israel, maintain a more balanced attitude towads the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They basically lean towards a two-state solution, and on several occasions step out to 'timidly' criticize Israel's practices in the Occupied Territories.
The book impressively outlines the influence of AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee) on the American decision-making wether in the Congress or in the Oval Office. Despite the fact that the writers argue that Israel has a legitimate right to exist and live in peace and security, they raise the most critical question of whether American generous support of Israel is by any means justified.
The book cleverly analyzes the scope of the American-Israeli relations from a historical and political perspective, and to what extent America's unconditional (declared and undeclared) financial & military aids to Israel fan the growing anti-US terrorism, and how that endangers both American and Israeli security.
Sporadic points that seem vague in the American foreign policy and the US relations with Israel are logically connected in this book, making it easier for a political observer to correctly lay down the political puzzle pieces.
The book is objective, sharp and very clever...and of course, despite their pro-Israel opinions, the writers have been labeled anti-semitic.
Notice here that I use the expression ''the Israel Lobby'', not ''Jewish Lobby'', and the reason is simple: out of around 75 Jewish pressure groups active in the American political realm, only a small number of them stand adamantly for Israel's 'right' to do whatever she prefers, and cracks down on any attempt to even criticize the Jewish state. The rest of the groups, although pro-Israel, maintain a more balanced attitude towads the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They basically lean towards a two-state solution, and on several occasions step out to 'timidly' criticize Israel's practices in the Occupied Territories.
The book impressively outlines the influence of AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee) on the American decision-making wether in the Congress or in the Oval Office. Despite the fact that the writers argue that Israel has a legitimate right to exist and live in peace and security, they raise the most critical question of whether American generous support of Israel is by any means justified.
The book cleverly analyzes the scope of the American-Israeli relations from a historical and political perspective, and to what extent America's unconditional (declared and undeclared) financial & military aids to Israel fan the growing anti-US terrorism, and how that endangers both American and Israeli security.
Sporadic points that seem vague in the American foreign policy and the US relations with Israel are logically connected in this book, making it easier for a political observer to correctly lay down the political puzzle pieces.
The book is objective, sharp and very clever...and of course, despite their pro-Israel opinions, the writers have been labeled anti-semitic.
34 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After first reviewing the extent of US financial and non-financial support for Israel, the authors ask whether Israel is a strategic asset or liability for the USA. They consider a number of arguments:
Helping contain the Soviet bear - relevant during the Cold War but not after the collapse of the Soviet Union. They give the example of the first Gulf War where any Israeli involvement would have been seriously damaging to US interests.
Partners against terror - the authors point out that US support for Israel is itself a prime cause for terrorism directed against US interests.
Confronting rogue states - they remind us that the states usually mentioned present no direct threat to the USA and that US support for Israel makes it harder to deal with rogue states.
Having decided that supporting Israel damages the USA, the authors evaluate whether moral considerations require American support for Israel notwithstanding. After doing so, they conclude that the moral case for the USA to support Israel is not currently justified, regardless of the arguments either way in 1947.
It would be easy to believe that US support for Israel is achieved by a conspiracy, with secret arrangements made in darkened rooms. The authors demonstrate that exactly the opposite is true. The Israel lobby operates in the full glare of publicity; there is no conspiracy.
The book shows how American supporters of Israel organise their campaigning efforts, raise money, lobby politicians and also dominate debate in the media and amongst think tanks. This is achieved by many people dedicating their time and money to promoting the cause of Israel. The authors point out that in a democracy a narrowly focused interest group can often get its way; a small number of Americans are passionate about Israel while the overwhelming majority are relatively indifferent either way. Accordingly, politicians find it helpful to appease the Israel lobby; safe in the knowledge that their doing so will not result in any meaningful loss of support from the rest of the population.
The book examines in detail how the lobby operates. One statistic stands out. Between 1990 and 2004, pro-Israel groups contributed nearly $57 million to candidates and parties while Arab American and Muslim Political Action Committees contributed slightly less than $800,000.
Helping contain the Soviet bear - relevant during the Cold War but not after the collapse of the Soviet Union. They give the example of the first Gulf War where any Israeli involvement would have been seriously damaging to US interests.
Partners against terror - the authors point out that US support for Israel is itself a prime cause for terrorism directed against US interests.
Confronting rogue states - they remind us that the states usually mentioned present no direct threat to the USA and that US support for Israel makes it harder to deal with rogue states.
Having decided that supporting Israel damages the USA, the authors evaluate whether moral considerations require American support for Israel notwithstanding. After doing so, they conclude that the moral case for the USA to support Israel is not currently justified, regardless of the arguments either way in 1947.
It would be easy to believe that US support for Israel is achieved by a conspiracy, with secret arrangements made in darkened rooms. The authors demonstrate that exactly the opposite is true. The Israel lobby operates in the full glare of publicity; there is no conspiracy.
The book shows how American supporters of Israel organise their campaigning efforts, raise money, lobby politicians and also dominate debate in the media and amongst think tanks. This is achieved by many people dedicating their time and money to promoting the cause of Israel. The authors point out that in a democracy a narrowly focused interest group can often get its way; a small number of Americans are passionate about Israel while the overwhelming majority are relatively indifferent either way. Accordingly, politicians find it helpful to appease the Israel lobby; safe in the knowledge that their doing so will not result in any meaningful loss of support from the rest of the population.
The book examines in detail how the lobby operates. One statistic stands out. Between 1990 and 2004, pro-Israel groups contributed nearly $57 million to candidates and parties while Arab American and Muslim Political Action Committees contributed slightly less than $800,000.
51 of 58 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
i originally approached this book warily, as there has been allegations of anti-semitism made against the authors, but i found that it didn't discuss the jewish faith, it rather concentrated on israeli (including non-jewish) influences on american foerign policy.
analytical and in-depth,this book is a real revelation into a lenghty international relationship that is rarely discussed, and often taboo.
analytical and in-depth,this book is a real revelation into a lenghty international relationship that is rarely discussed, and often taboo.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Source packed and very informative. Must read for those who are...
This book that has its origins in 2002, before getting published in 2008 in paperback, is a must read for those who want to understand how US Foreign Policy operates. Read more
Published 11 days ago by The Establishment Fears Investigation
Thought provoking
I think a very good analysis of the influence the israeli lobby holds not just on politics in the US, but also over public opion and the academic life. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mads Graff Lorenzen
Re-defines the term "Special Relationship"
A really sound and constructive analysis of the relationship between the United States and Israel. However, the concluding argument is not necessarily one which you would... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mr. D. J. Walford
Congressmen For Sale.
Steven Rosen, the former AIPAC official, illustrates AIPAC's power for the New Yorker's Jeffrey Goldberg by putting a napkin in front of him and saying, "In twenty-four hours, we... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Baraniecki Mark Stuart
Unaccountability and democracy
For anyone frustrated at the way America's real 'special relationship' - the one with Israel -impacts us all, then this is the book is for you. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Cakeman
Good academic, well researched book
This book is well researched and closely resembles a good academic article. I would recommend the book to those who wish to get a view on the Israel/American relationship. Read more
Published on 3 April 2010 by Read Alot
A valid, well argued analysis
Recently I have read several books on Henry Kissinger and I was intrigued by the position of Israel in 1973. Read more
Published on 7 Dec 2009 by Stewart Murray
politcal power and policing academia
This book has been routinely labelled as anti-semitic by many in the pro-zionist/neo-con camp. They cite the fact that David Duke recommends it. Read more
Published on 23 Oct 2009 by RepublicanStones
an outstanding piece of research - explaining how US foriegn policy is...
There is much delusion in the middle east conflict, the Arab/Muslim side believes Israel dictates policy to the US, and cannot understand why the US listens. Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2009 by Armagan Akram
israel Lobby
Excellent book, diabolical delivery only rectified by a phone call to you office who, in the first place, stated the book had been posted. Read more
Published on 4 April 2009 by D. A. Varley
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