Politicians on the left and the right have no problems pointing out how lobbying money corrupts the political process, how lobbying groups gather influence over legislators and government officials through campaign donations, campaign-supportive events, “fact finding” junkets, etc. “He’s bought and sold by the NRA!” “She’s in the pocket of Big Pharma!” “Typical Big Media politician.” “Well, you know how much their party relies on Union donations!” “Well, you know how much their party relies on Oil and Coal donations!”
The same is true for influence campaigns by, or on behalf of, foreign governments. Even without going into the whole Russia scandal, the influence of donor groups and organizations from various Middle East sheikdoms, from Chinese (of both mainland and Taiwanese varieties), and, at a lower levels, from boosters and governments and trade groups, etc., from most nations around the world are all acknowledged by everyone as having an impact on American politics.
The one exception to this, though, appears to be suggesting that the pro-Israeli lobbying group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which spends money to “educate” and to “lobby” and to provide “educational trips” to Israel for congressfolk, to suggest that this has any influence, to suggest that their spending is actually designed to sway government officials, let along that it actually does, is anti-Semitism.
And thus must be immediately attacked, by both parties. And apologized for, profusely.
Even though AIPAC actually brags (in private) over how much they are able to influence the US government.[1] Even though their mission statement is to “strengthen, protect and promote the U.S.-Israel relationship.” [2] Even though their number one publically touted accomplishment is “working with Congress to ensure Israel is able to defend itself.” [3] Even though AIPAC solicits money from people to give them the opportunity to hob-nob with US politicians so as to influence them. [4] Even though all of these are true, it’s politically dangerous to say it.
Apparently the only people who are allowed to say that AIPAC money influences Congress, without being accused of anti-Semitism for doing so, is AIPAC itself.
Now, to be fair, there are other reasons that US politicians support Israel, sometimes to extraordinary lengths, beyond just donations and support they receive from AIPAC and other such organizations. Some of them do so because they support the concept of a Jewish state because of wrongs done to the Jews over the centuries (whether or not that overlooks the wrongs done to Palestinian Arabs in order to right those other, truly grievous, wrongs). Some do because of conservative Christian sentiment that a Jewish State is necessary in order to bring about their vision of the Biblical End Times. Some do because they see Israel as a strategic US ally in the Middle East.
Some layer on top of one or all of those a whataboutism attitude — “How can you criticize what Israel does when Iran / North Korea / China / etc. do so much worse?” — as if the only person (or country) one can ever criticize is the words, most awful person (or country) of all.
But if those rationales sufficed, then AIPAC and its activities (and the activities of similar pro-Israeli PACs and organizations) wouldn’t be necessary.
In fact, suggesting Israel really hasn’t shown itself to be that much of an ally, or criticizing the Israeli government for its corruption, or for its ongoing activities that marginalize and oppress the Arab population within its borders, or even to suggest that propping up the State of Israel in order to bring about the conditions for the Christian Apocalypse is kind of a dick move toward Jews — all of these are automatically deemed anti-Semitic …
… and that political third rail, too, is a reason why some US politicians support, tacitly or actively, Israel.
——
[1] https://theintercept.com/2019/02/11/ilhan-omar-israel-lobby-documentary/
[2] https://www.aipac.org/about/mission
[3] https://www.aipac.org/about/what-weve-accomplished
[4] https://www.aipac.org/act/join-the-club
Rep. Omar apologizes for controversial tweets on Israel lobby after backlash from Democratic leaders
Another bot created profile for trump
I block them as I go along…..
Only because she was ordered to.
Not surprised. Folks may remember the absurd news fest that followed when the DNC removed language from its platform regarding how Jerusalem was the one true Capital of Israel back in 2012. You could also look at the 26 states that now have legislation making it illegal for state employees and/or contractors to boycott Israel. It is quite fascinating.
She should have read the Democratic party rule book that covers talking points and not what to say.
Israel should be our territory. Or The 51st state. That, or cut those parasites off from funding.