The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy Paperback – September 2, 2008

Once upon a time, there were 2 American entities that came together to specifically create a new, third entity called IL by the process of discourse. These two creator entities are named MW (MearsheimerWalt), and their offspring was born abroad in the UK – specifically at the London (Times) Review of Books in 2006.Quickly, this new IL offspring gathered strength through the gentle nurturing from its parent organism MW, who carefully and methodically rebutted invader organisms from killing off their newly-born entity.In fact, as more invaders attacked the newly-born IL offspring, creator-entity MW sprang into parenting mode, to help IL become even larger, healthier, and more robust through more highly-refined written and oral discourse.As a result, MW had to endure the crucible of more IL refinement and continued defense against the invaders, to enhance IL’s further growth and robust qualities. One year later in 2007, the IL entity became even bigger, healthier, and more robust; and so to celebrate this new phase, it had a name change and an even newer re-birth place for this tempered form of the entity: it grew from its first physical form of 32 pages (including rebuttals) born in London to its current form of an astonishing 496 pages by means of a new but international midwife, Farrar, Strauss and Giroux, at its New York office. IL has become so famous that it landed on the coveted #1 Best Seller list position in the New York Times. This position affirms IL’s veracity. IL’s full name now is: The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy.This comparison (using genetics [with a little alchemy sprinkled in], ancient world history, and Darwin’s ‘survival of the fittest’ to create a new entity) is exactly what happened to Professor John Mearsheimer (University of Chicago) and Professor Steven Walt (Harvard University) in their odyssey of creating a book that no one would dare write before because of the affects of foreign-country interest groups in the US from the Israel Lobby, AIPAC. There is a related group that has also had its tentacles on US campus ME Studies departments from the early 2000s, trying to know what professors were teaching their students and trying to politically either back up or remove those professors whose ideas went against theirs. There has been no public, nonacademic discourse and correction to this activity because universities rely on funding, and money speaks volumes (over discourse). This public free-speech activity (all sides of it) needs to be discussed, especially according to how each comment relates all of our country’s established frameworks/ documents of power (including the Constitution). This affords all participants with a very lively and rich discourse experience in which all participants will learn much from each other. Some of the most educated and important people in the US have views on this topic and ALL of them are worth reading and listening to via all formats (books, articles, journals, videos, podcasts, etc.) All of these people’s views combined with those from Mearsheimer and Walt in this book are part of an important knowledge base that needs to be tapped, understood, and added to in later Mearsheimer-Walt book editions. In short, because there has been much change in this country since this book was first published in 2007, the book has stood the test of time, and these changes need to be included in a revised, later edition.Mearsheimer and Walt’s book: The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy is now recommended classroom reading in most poli sci, government studies, ME studies, diplomacy and diplomatic studies preparation programs in institutions of higher education, both in the US and those abroad. Why? Because it is the first book of its kind to look carefully at one foreign country (Israel) and how it affects the behavior and actions of another (the US/ US taxpayers, the group that subsidizes the foreign country) in terms of policy and aid. It also affects who is elected to US Congress and who stays elected.As with most topics, this book generates needed discourse about countries (those with money and those without it that need it as aid from another, wealthier country), policies, lobby groups, money/ funding, aid, political parties and issues, diplomacy, and how all of these influence and intermingle, to create a larger world-system of which both the US and Israel are a part.Mearsheimer and Walt have created this book to shed light on a topic that was ready to be illuminated. Once this book was published, like its UK germination stage phase, it (and the authors) went through the second crucible tempering in which the authors had to defend their ideas on US soil, successfully defending them against opposite forces.This book has passed muster again through this process. Simultaneously, there were videos made of university and diplomacy ‘Round Tables’ with Q/A sessions at the end that are found online for the general public as well as academia. In these, the authors successfully defended their theses, resulting in a further strengthening of their ideas. Also, the comments of all people whose opinions were directed at the two became known, with some of the public agreeing and some disagreeing. Through this process, participants could learn more things about what they believe in, why, and some will even re-edit/ amend their own initial ideas.Unfortunately, a culling of professional-academic personnel has occurred since the early 2000s, in which some professors and writers have been professionally ousted from their positions in academia and related areas (writing) for their stances against this foreign lobby group. This, alone, warrants the reading of this book and its future revised, edition.Because this book is so interesting, I have bought extra copies to give to friends to read and later discuss. Afterwards, we form groups and engage in critical thinking and dialog to further hone our knowledge about this topic. Included in this activity is that we all watch designated on-line videos, listen to podcasts, read articles and journals, etc., to enhance what we learn from reading this book.I thoroughly recommend this groundbreaking book for anyone who has an interest in our country and how it relates to foreign countries.

I think the reason this book is controversial is because it speaks the truth. It is sad how much power AIPAC and other pro Israeli lobby has on US Foreign Policy. All the authors have done is presented and spoke of the unjust US Foreign policies which are not in US interest but favor mostly Israel. Credit to the authors for taking the bold step in writing such book in detail. It is not only a informative book but great read as well. There are about 150 pages of references as well. Also youtube the authors and you will see that they speak the truth. This is how i make my book purchase by first seeing who the authors are since nowadays anybody can write the books so you have to be careful where you spend your money. Hats off to both the authors for having the courage to speak in US and its citizen's interest not being biased towards Israel.One thing which I was unaware of was that $3 billion dollars (this figure is more, see the videos and other references I have listed below) a year is given to Israel as AID and that is Tax Payers money. The thought which came to my mind is that all this time I have been working hard to pay to Israel? why? We are crying for recession, unemployment etc yet we are showering tax payers money to Israel, why? Whya aren't we solving our own problems first before helping others?Why Tax Payers money is spend so lavishly on wars which are not benefiting anyone? US have failed in both Iraq and Afghanistan miserably. Iraq war at least was initiated by Israeli lobby. The pro Israel spies lied by creating a false report against Iraq's WMD and when US attacked Iraq, they found nothing. Not only that, authors also presented the case of couple of congressmen who were spying on US's plan for Iran. Which was handed over to Israeli embassy. This news was kept hush hush by the media and only brought it up with few headlines here and there. No one covered it in detail.Another case that is presented is the Freedom of American Citizens, Rachel Corrie - US Citizen. Was an activist and was killed by Israeli bulldozer. Regardless of how she was killed, some American Citizens wanted to honor her by creating a play "My Name is Rachel Corrie", the artists had to face barrage of criticism and canceled shows here in US itself. The show was criticized for being Anti Semite/Anti Israel. Now the show have picked up but most of support came from UK thats where the show was premiered. Many pro Israel critics condemned the show but the point is why the US citizens not allowed to perform in their own country honoring their own citizen? There was nothing anti about the show. It was just a show to honor her efforts to bring peace to the troubled region. Why our government didn't say anything to the pro Israel lobby that they should respect American people honoring an American. After all Hollywood flush barrage of Holocaust movies every year, no one protest to that why US citizens are not allowed to express themselves and honor their own citizens? Are we living in US or Israel?Another case they presented was Jimmy Carter's. Jimmy Carter's excellent and must read book "Palestine Peace not Apartheid" also faced the barrage of criticism from the Pro Israel and Jewish lobby. There is nothing controversial about that book. He just presented his experience in the book. It is a enjoyable book to read and also a must read for everyone in the world to read. He does not go out and attack Israel, he also talks about failure of Arab countries in working out the peace with Israel.Even the authors of this book had to face the hostility when they went to print the book. It was published in UK. The questions is, why? Do we have any Freedom in our own country or are we living in Israel? Why can't no one speak about it? Why are those who dare to speak are called Anti Semite/Anti Israel? Why can't we be allowed to live peacefully?US have lost its reputation among countries due to unconditional support to Israel. Israel walk away every time without any charges. Recently US vetoed UN Human Rights report against Israel and Hezbollah saying that the report was biased. Does the US leaders think public is stupid? Such actions create more terrorism because we are not accepting that we are humans too and we can make mistakes as well. And real men/women accept their mistakes and correct themselves. It is better to win on principles then win on lies. Everyone should listen to Marriane Williamson lecture "Standing up to the Darkness".Anyone who wants peace in the world, must read this book and educate/recommend other fellow citizens as well. We cannot be sleeping like this when we have problems of our own (recession, unemployment etc) then why send so much aid to Israel, Pakistan etc? My brother and sisters, lets wake up and tell our leaders that we cannot be kept in dark like this. Israel is ally and they should be but no biased support anymore. Just like every other human being, jews also have right to exist and live peacefully on this earth. But they should not go all out and take away American citizens freedom. Just like US allow them to honor the victims of holocaust same way pro Israelis should also allow other US citizens to allow their freedom too.At the end authors also presented that US should start treating Israel as a country, no unconditional support. This book and Imperial Hubris (even Osama Bin Laden have quoted this book and referred for every American to read this book. Must Read) will help you understand the issue in MidEast and why Osama is against US Foreign Policy.Peace and lets wake up friends.MUST WATCH VIDEOS/Books:Imperial Hubris: Why the West is Losing the War on TerrorPalestine: Peace Not ApartheidYoutube videos every North American Citizen should watch:Confessions of an Economic Hit ManGreta Van Susteren James Traficant

Having been born in Germany this book really changes my view of things. I didn’t even know there was more to the Israel conflict until I read this.

This book is incredibly enlightening and methodically walks through the typical talking points used to justify an otherwise unjustifiable amount of aid to Israel, and shows how supporting Israel is actually a liability to US interests and world image. It then dissects the lobby and the extraordinary measures taken to keep these false justifications for support alive. This is essential reading.