Fifty years ago, a fundamentalist Middle Eastern government installed what has become one of the most powerful lobby groups in America. This group has close ties to Congress and the White House, and wields unprecedented influence on American politics. This group does not hail from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt or another Muslim country. It represents one of America’s biggest aid recipients: Israel.
Formed in 1954, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is considered by some to be one of the most powerful lobby groups in the nation. AIPAC works to promote the causes of Israel, often disregarding U.S. interests.
Recently, AIPAC was part of the FBI investigation of Larry Franklin, a veteran analyst on Iraq at the Pentagon. Franklin was accused of turning over sensitive classified intelligence data to AIPAC. While the FBI investigation was ongoing, and before AIPAC’s guilt or innocence could be determined, pro-AIPAC statements were issued by members of Congress from both parties, under pressure from AIPAC. These statements may have compromised the independence of the investigation.
In a Sept. 5 Washington Post article, Thomas Edsall and Molly Moore described in detail AIPAC’s methodology. “Much of AIPAC’s influence lies in the extensive civic participation of its supporters,” they wrote, “the high-profile role of board members in making and raising campaign contributions, the strong ties of AIPAC to the government of Israel, and the strategic importance of Israel to U.S. interests. Every two years, AIPAC offers each new member of Congress a trip to Israel for a week to 10 days.”
AIPAC actively supports pro-Israel congressional candidates, and in many cases influences the outcome of our elections. Earl Hilliard, a congressman from Alabama, and Cynthia McKinney, a congresswoman from Georgia, spoke out against legislation that one-sidedly favored Israel. In 2002, both lost their re-election bids when AIPAC poured in out-of-state money to ensure their defeat.
Since Israel’s inception in 1948, U.S. taxpayers have been its biggest monetary supporters. Billions of U.S. tax dollars have transformed Israel into the biggest military power in the Middle East, with the nuclear capability to destroy any country in the region. AIPAC, with help from our politicians, ensures this aid, often by promoting Israel as the only Middle Eastern democracy.
However, reality on the ground tells a different story. Israeli troops illegally occupy Palestinian land in Gaza and the West Bank. Education, job opportunities and general welfare of Arabs in Israel lag far behind their Jewish counterparts. Israel exists as a Jewish majority state, a theocracy. It never intended to be a democracy. If the Arab population attains majority status, Israel will cease to exist.
On average, American taxpayers give at least $3 billion annually to support Israel. Most of this money is used for military purposes. We deserve to know the true purpose of this aid, and how it benefits American interests.
Federal law requires advocacy groups like AIPAC to be registered as a foreign agent with the Justice Department. In July of 2003, a Chicago area man of Iraqi descent, Khaled Dumeisi, was arrested by the FBI for furnishing intelligence to Iraq, without registering as a foreign agent. The actions of AIPAC indicate that it is acting on behalf of the state of Israel, but it is not part of Israel’s diplomatic mission to the United States. The time has come for AIPAC to register as a foreign agent for Israel so its activities can be properly monitored, or be prosecuted and punished like Mr. Dumeisi.
Many American families cannot afford one decent meal a day. They lack proper housing and proper clothing. Their children are often malnourished and lack proper medical care. How can our leaders ignore our own poor and give billions to Israel? The time has come for our leaders to stand up to AIPAC.
The subject of aid to Israel has long been taboo. Nobody wants to criticize our policies on Israel for fear of being labeled anti-Semitic. However, genuine criticism of Israel does not equate hatred for the Jewish people or religion. Such claims are a ploy to deflect scrutiny from the actions of both our Congress and the pro-Israel lobbies like AIPAC.
We need to hold our politicians accountable for placing the interests of Israel over those of our own people. No foreign power or its lobby should wield such unprecedented influence on American politics and politicians. The time for discussion is here, and now.
Shabbir Bala is a Muslim American businessman living in Snohomish County.
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