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The first book to speak out against the pervasive influence of the
American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) on American
politics, policy, and institutions resonates today as never before.
With careful documentation and specific case histories, former
congressman Paul Findley demonstrates how the Israel lobby helps to
shape important aspects of U.S. foreign policy and influences
congressional, senatorial, and even presidential elections.
Described are the undue influence AIPAC exerts in the Senate and
the House and the pressure AIPAC brings to bear on university
professors and journalists who seem too sympathetic to Arab and
Islamic states and too critical of Israel and its policies. Along
with many longtime outspoken critics, new voices speaking out
include former President Jimmy Carter, U.S. Representative Cynthia
McKinney, Senator Robert Byrd, prominent Arab-American Dr. Ziad
Asali, Rabbi Michael Lerner, and journalist Charles Reese. In
addition, the lack of open debate among politicians with regard to
the U.S. policy in the Middle East is lamented, and AIPAC is blamed
in part for this censorship. Connections are drawn between
America's unconditional support of Israel and the raging
anti-American passions around the world--and ultimately the tragic
events of 9/11. This replaces 1556520735.
Although it is generally understood that American neoconservatives
pushed hard for the war in Iraq, this book forcefully argues that
the neocons' goal was not the spread of democracy, but the
protection of Israel's interests in the Middle East. Showing that
the neocon movement has always identified closely with the
interests of Israel's Likudnik right wing, the discussion contends
that neocon advice on Iraq was the exact opposite of conventional
United States foreign policy, which has always sought to maintain
stability in the region to promote the flow of oil. Various players
in the rush to war are assessed according to their motives,
including President Bush, Ariel Sharon, members of the
foreign-policy establishment, and the American people, who are seen
not as having been dragged into war against their will, but as
ready after 9/11 for retaliation.
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