1. Its ability to raise money on behalf of pro-Israel candidates. 2. Its ability to strike a strategic alliance with Christian cons groups who see in the sustaining of Israel as a step before the coming of Christ. 3. Its ability to label anyone who is crtitical of Israel as anti-semite. 4. Its ability to mobilize the american Jews to vote for pro-Israel candidates. Also the strategic location of the Jewsih vote in states like CA, NY, IL, OH, FL. These are key states for any president to win elections.
The Arab lobby is very weak by comparison. First, there is no such thing as an Arab cohesive interest. Beyond the vague interest in helping the Palestinians get their states, Arab states share little as far as a coherent foreign policy interest. The interests of Syria are not the same as that of Tunisia. So the Arab lobby cannot adequately represent 22 Arab states.
Second, Saudi Arabia is stigmatized by its oppressive theocratic govt. Israel on the other hand has an "image" of being a beacon of democracy. that sells well with the American public.
Money is very important in lobbying, but other faftors are important as well.
Naji
----- Original Message ----- From: "Seth Ackerman" <sia at nyc.rr.com> To: <lbo-talk at lists.panix.com> Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2002 11:02 PM Subject: Re: Tom the Exterminator on the Middle East
> Naji Dahi wrote:
>
> > Your hypothesis needs to be substantiated with some form of evidence
that
> > shows the ability of the Empire to stop Israel when the Empire believes
> that
> > Israel is beginning to act against its interests. Take Bush's
announcment
> > today that Israel must halt its offensive. Did Israel listen? hell no!!!
> > Sharon told Bush to go to hell and the offensive continues. Sharon knows
> > that Bush will tow the Israeli line and that Bush has little wiggle room
> or
> > independence in forming US FP towards Israel.
>
> You say Israel has bought US foreign policy with money. Do you think
> Arab-American groups - backed by, say, Saudi Arabia - could buy US foreign
> policy with more money? Or is there something uniquely influential about
> Israel and the Jews?
>
> Seth
>