Are the authors John Mearsheimer (Univ of Chicago) & Stephen Walt of Harvard uncovered the final taboo....?

Question

The power of America's "Jewish lobby" is said to be legendary.

Commentators the world over refer to it, as though it were a well-established fact that US Jews wield far more influence than their numbers (2% of the population) would suggest.

But this presumed influence is also a delicate issue in the US, and is rarely analysed.

How does the lobby work? Is its power truly legendary, or just a legend?

Two US academics, John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago and Stephen Walt of Harvard, have set out to answer those questions, and triggered a firestorm of controversy as a result.

Their book The Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy, which builds on a 2006 article in the London Review of Books, says the reasons for US support for Israel need to be explained. [Many critics] tried to smear us by either saying or hinting that we are anti-Semitic

Stephen Walt


Mearsheimer/Walt interview

America spends $3bn a year in largely military assistance - one-sixth of its direct aid budget - to help a prosperous, nuclear-armed country, and strongly backs Israel in negotiations on Middle East peace.

But according to Mearsheimer and Walt, the US gets remarkably little in return.

They reject the argument that Israel is a key ally in America's "war on terror".

On the contrary, they contend, US patronage of Israel fuels militant anger - as well as fostering resentment in Arab countries that control vital oil supplies.

Answer 1

These guys are brave to stand up and tell the truth.

it`s me, seems to have his the facts wrong as Hammas and Jihad have not bombed in Israel for four years, and despite this the Israelies have continued to target palestinian homes with missiles, and have continued to steal palestinian land to build on.
Non of the UN resolutions have been honoured by the state of Israel.

The world needs to know that American politicians are financed by the American Jews, and are their puppets..!!

Answer 2

Money talks. The Jewish Lobby may only account for 2% of the population but it is very wealthy and politically active. Yes, the state of Isreal did need to be created after The Holocaust as a homeland for the Jews. But the legitamate concerns of the Palastinians were trampled on. The only reason for this continuing is the wealth and influence of Jews in the US. It is not racism, just looking at creating a more level playing field thus reducing resentment felt in the Arab world.

Answer 3

I do not feel I know enough to offer anything of any matter, but I would like to say I am fascinated about the 'Jewish power' debate, I have met maybe half a dozen very worldly, well read extraordinarily intelligent people (My own Father included) who have tried to get a similar message over, what makes it interesting is that these people are compelled by logic not to be bigoted so I found there apparent anti Semitic stance at odds with their ofttimes liberal ways initially. So although I confess to not being very Aux faux with the details I am inclined to feel a sympathy for people who try and get this message out only for PC attitude to shoot them down or steer debate away from exploration toward debate on PC, so frustrating, you have the best questions.

Answer 4

I have yet to see a valid argument that explains how the "Israel Lobby" (sic) is any more or less powerful than any other lobby group in Washington.

In other words, you can't have it both ways. Either the lobby is not influential, which in that case, their whole premise falls away, or the Israel lobby is influential, which in that case, so are numerous other lobby groups. That being the case, why the specific focus on an "Israel Lobby" to the exclusion of others? It seems that in that case, they would wish to deny the right to lobby in Washington only to those who would advocate on behalf of Israel, or at least that is the implication.

In truth, I believe that lobby groups such as AIPAC are only so-so in their degree of influence compared to what would be an "effective lobby group". The support the US gives Israel stems mostly from sharing similar ideologies (western style democracy) and numerous other factors.

As for criticism, I think Walt and colleague would be better served by instead of whining "waa! They called me an anti semite" to go ahead and give a counter argument of some substance. But somehow I don't think that will be forthcoming.

Answer 5

What they are saying seems perfectly credible to me and goes a long way in explaining American foreign policy, i believe the Jews wield a disproportionate influence in the usa.

Answer 6

These men deserve medals, once you critise Jews, the anti-semitic card comes out, glad these men haven't fallen for it and will bring the other side of the story out

Answer 7

It's funny that Muslims think Palestinians get "trampled on" for any reason other than to keep their murderous attacks to a minimum

They apparently haven't thought ahead to see that if they stopped their terrorism, than any Israeli violence would be completely unwarranted and condemned even by the US

As long as the Palestinians continue their campaign of murder they will continue to suffer and rightly so

Answer 8

Yes, you are all quite right. Let's dismantle Israel at once, and put all those millions of displaced Jews in your backyard!