Over at the Realistic Peace blog, Moshe Yaroni looks at the distasteful letters AIPAC directed members of Congress to send to the President. Just more evidence that politics comes ahead of national interests, but that’s one thing most people, on the left or the right, can agree upon.

He also discusses the whole “Israel Lobby” question, which you can find a lot of my writing about on this blog.

Here we are in an election year, and once again, AIPAC is able to turn screws like crazy in Congress. Some wonder why.

The two big "lobbies"

Some wonder whether all the polls which show that most Jews welcome a robust American peace effort that includes pressure on both sides are smoke and mirrors.

Even Israelis in significant numbers recognize that their government depends on outside pressure to take the risks necessary for peace.

Let’s confront this for what it really is: a small minority in the Jewish community drives the so-called “Jewish vote.”

It’s not a vote at all, in fact. It is that small number of wealthy Jews who are willing to put up a great deal of money in campaign contributions to create a specific dynamic: ongoing American financial, military and diplomatic support that remains consistent no matter what actions Israel takes and whether or not those actions serve American interests. Continue reading →