The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign
Policy: John J. Mearsheimer - Video

Originally published in 2007, The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy, by John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago and Stephen M. Walt of Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government, provoked both howls of outrage and cheers of gratitude for challenging what had been a taboo issue in America: the impact of the Israel lobby on U.S. foreign policy. A work of major importance, it remains as relevant today as it was in the immediate aftermath of the Israel-Lebanon war of 2006.

Mearsheimer and Walt describe in clear and bold terms the remarkable level of material and diplomatic support that the United States provides to Israel and argues that this support cannot be fully explained on either strategic or moral grounds. This exceptional relationship is due largely to the political influence of a loose coalition of individuals and organizations that actively work to shape U.S. foreign policy in a pro-Israel direction. They provocatively contend that the lobby has a far-reaching impact on America's posture throughout the Middle East―in Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict―and the policies it has encouraged are in neither America's national interest nor Israel's long-term interest. The lobby's influence also affects America's relationship with important allies and increases dangers that all states face from global jihadist terror.

The publication of The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy led to a sea change in how the U.S-Israel relationship was discussed, and continues to be one of the most talked-about books in foreign policy.

Farrukh Jilani

Every US and Canadian Citizen need to read this book.

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.