The Persistent Influence of the Israel Lobby on US Policy

The Truman Dilemma

In 1948, Harry Truman found himself ensnared by a daunting dilemma when asked to support the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine. On one side stood powerful Zionist lobbyists and his domestic political advisers, who were pushing for immediate recognition due to the suffering of Jewish survivors from the Nazi “Final Solution.” On the other was his top foreign policy team, which advocated against it.

Truman was subject to relentless hectoring by campaigners for recognition, including a host of Jewish delegations and politicians. These pressures were particularly intense during his 1948 election year against Governor Thomas Dewey of New York. The Zionist lobby wielded considerable influence, threatening to throw critical electoral votes to the Republicans if Truman did not comply.

The Evolution of the Lobby

Today, the influence of organizations such as AIPAC (American-Israel Public Affairs Committee) has only grown stronger. This persistent pressure has forced presidents into excruciating positions that often compromise their sense of national interest for short-term political gains.

The Impact on Presidential Decisions

One notable example is President Gerald Ford, who launched a “reassessment” of US policy in the Middle East after two years of failure to achieve a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace agreement. The initiative was advanced by Ford and his secretary of state, Henry Kissinger. However, leading Israel lobby organizations like the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations and AIPAC mobilized against this reassessment.

Kissinger convened a committee of “Wise Men” to recommend pressure on Israel to withdraw from the West Bank and Gaza Strip for a comprehensive peace agreement. The unanimous recommendation was in line with US interests, but it faced strong opposition from the lobby. A letter drafted by AIPAC, signed by 76 senators, demanded that Ford explicitly state that the United States would support Israel while also advocating for peace negotiations. This put Ford in an awkward position, as he feared losing New York’s electoral votes if he opposed the lobby.

Ford ultimately caved to the demands of the lobby and returned to a step-by-step process involving the gradual transfer of Sinai Peninsula territories from Egypt to Israel, while increasing US support for Israel. This included signing a US-Israeli Memorandum of Agreement on September 1, 1975, with extensive military and diplomatic commitments.

Jimmy Carter's Dilemma

In his efforts to achieve a comprehensive peace treaty in the Middle East, President Jimmy Carter faced significant opposition from the Israel lobby. Despite initial public support and high poll numbers, Carter proposed a “Palestinian homeland” as part of his peace initiative. However, this was met with fierce resistance from leading pro-Israel organizations.

Carter’s senior adviser on domestic political affairs warned him that he would suffer serious consequences due to lobby opposition. Despite these warnings, Carter remained steadfast in his commitment to a Palestinian homeland.

Source: The Guardian