|
|
Line 54: |
Line 54: |
| In their authoritative study of the Israel lobby in the United States, John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt describe it as 'a loose coalition of individuals and organizations that actively works to move U.S. foreign policy in a pro-Israel direction...it is not a single unified movement with a central leadership'. It is 'a powerful interest group, made up of both Jews and gentiles, whose acknowledged purpose is to press Israel's case within the United States and influence American foreign policy in ways that its members believe will benefit the Jewish state. The various groups that make up the lobby do not agree on every issue, although they share the desire to promote a special relationship between the United States and Israel' (Mearsheimer & Walt, 2007: 5). | | In their authoritative study of the Israel lobby in the United States, John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt describe it as 'a loose coalition of individuals and organizations that actively works to move U.S. foreign policy in a pro-Israel direction...it is not a single unified movement with a central leadership'. It is 'a powerful interest group, made up of both Jews and gentiles, whose acknowledged purpose is to press Israel's case within the United States and influence American foreign policy in ways that its members believe will benefit the Jewish state. The various groups that make up the lobby do not agree on every issue, although they share the desire to promote a special relationship between the United States and Israel' (Mearsheimer & Walt, 2007: 5). |
| | | |
− | Mearsheimer & Walt make a clear distinction between the Israel Lobby and anti-Israel conspiracy theories, arguing: 'The Israel lobby is the antithesis of a cabal or conspiracy; it operates out in the open and proudly advertises its own clout. In its basic operations, the Israel lobby is no different from interest groups like the farm lobby, steel and textile workers, and a host of ethnic lobbies, although the groups and individuals who comprise the Israel lobby are in an unusually favourable position to influence U.S. foreign policy. What sets it apart, in short, is its extraordinary effectiveness' (Mearshimer & Walt, 2007:150) | + | Mearsheimer & Walt make a clear distinction between the Israel Lobby and anti-Israel conspiracy theories, arguing: 'The Israel lobby is the antithesis of a cabal or conspiracy; it operates out in the open and proudly advertises its own clout. In its basic operations, the Israel lobby is no different from interest groups like the farm lobby, steel and textile workers, and a host of ethnic lobbies, although the groups and individuals who comprise the Israel lobby are in an unusually favourable position to influence U.S. foreign policy. What sets it apart, in short, is its extraordinary effectiveness' (Mearsheimer & Walt, 2007:150) |
| | | |
| Although the focus of Mearsheimer and Walt is the United States, the influence and activities of the lobby are by no means confined there. The lobby also has a presence in Canada, Europe, Latin America and more recently even China. | | Although the focus of Mearsheimer and Walt is the United States, the influence and activities of the lobby are by no means confined there. The lobby also has a presence in Canada, Europe, Latin America and more recently even China. |