Origins of Israel's Lobby

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Since the aftermath of the Second World War and the establishment of an independent Jewish state of Israel in 1948, U.S. foreign policy has been in the "grip of a foreign power," according to the authors of "Israel's Lobby."

Authors Eli Clifton and Ian Lustick contend that the lobby has successfully pressured generations of U.S. leaders to set aside American interests in favor of Israeli interests, even though the two are often not aligned. Today the lobby — which consists of dozens of organizations and wealthy individuals with billions in financial resources — is wielding its influence to silence criticism of Israel as it destroys Palestinian society in Gaza.

How did "the Lobby" become so powerful? And is AIPAC's influence waning as Americans sour on unconditional support for Israel?

Eli Clifton is a cofounder and senior advisor at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Ian Lustick is a political scientist at the University of Pennsylvania and an expert on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Recommended reading:

Israel's Lobby by Eli Clifton and Ian Lustick

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