How Powerful is the Israel Lobby?
THERE IS LITTLE QUESTION that mainstream and conservative Jewish organizations have mobilized considerable lobbying resources, financial contributions from the Jewish community, and citizen pressure on the news media and other forums of public discourse in support of the Israeli government. At times, they have even created a climate of intimidation against those (myself included) who speak out for peace and human rights and support the Palestinians’ right of self-determination. It is wrong, however, to assume that members of Congress so stridently support the policies of the Israeli government because their careers would be at stake if they did otherwise. Indeed, the majority of the most outspoken congressional supporters of the Israeli government are from some of the safest districts in the country and need no support from pro-Israel PACs or Jewish donors in order to be re-elected. A number of cases are often used as examples of the supposed power of the Israel lobby to defeat incumbe
