The pro-Israeli lobby organization, the “American Israel Public Affairs Committee” (AIPAC) invites you Sunday for their annual conference. After the comparatively quiet years, a sharper political Wind is blowing currently.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at the AIPAC conference in 2015 (photo: archive)
The hall in the Convention Center in Washington, is trimmed in harmony: When the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the conclusion of the conference, is expected to occur on Tuesday, at the lectern, the lights in the Background are two entangled digital stars of David: one in red, the other in blue. The point at which they engage, is beams, in sparkling violet. The color is intended to signal Bipartisanship – a rare commodity in the current political climate.
For almost 70 years, the Israel Public Affairs Committee, in short, AIPAC, a powerful pro-Israeli lobby group, is established in the United States. This resistance is owed to the non-partisan claim of the organization. Its members come from the two major political Camps of the United States, Republicans as well as Democrats. Economically, too, AIPAC is firmly established. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, a work of lobbyists in the United States involved in a Think Tank, AIPAC, his commitment in the past year, 3.5 million Dollar cost.
Congressman Ilhan Omar criticized Israel and the us lobby group
Against the wind from the Democratic party
Currently, AIPAC is a rather uncomfortable debate, sparked especially by the Statements of the young democratic Congressman Ilhan Omar. The Deputy spoke out several times against supporters of Israel as well as AIPAC. Critics accused of anti-Semitic language. Even prominent members of your party, such as the speaker of the house of representatives Nancy Pelosi, went into this question at a distance of 37-year-old politician.
Omar’s remarks highlighted the ideological and between generations over the course of the end of differences within the Democratic party. Support Omar received, however, of the 77 years old Senator Bernie Sanders. “We should not equate anti-Semitism with legitimate criticism of the right wing Netanyahu government,” he explained. In a similar way, the young, left-wing members of Congress Alexandria Ocasio jumped-Cortez of your party friend.
In the opinion of the Natan Sachs, Director of the “Center for Middle East Policy” by the Washington Think Tank Brookings, wins in the Democratic party, in the meantime, a younger Generation of influence. “These are considered the Israel-to see the Palestinian conflict more through the lens of human and civil rights, rather than under the sign of security and terrorism.”
Younger Democrats are of the view, a heroic Israel to his Foundation of the state against a regional Goliath prevail, Sachs. “You see a lot more of Israel as Goliath and the Palestinians as David.” This gap might reduce democratic support for AIPAC and, thus, the non-partisan reputation of the organization damage.
The Golan heights as part of Israel’s territory? US President Trump, it looks so
Trump and Netanyahu: exclusive relationship
The Power of AIPAC will be overestimated, says Aaron David Miller, former adviser to six foreign Ministers and the current Director of the “Middle East Program” at the Wilson Center. Miller attributes this to the change in the political landscape both in the US and in Israel. “The Pro-Netanyahu and Anti-Palestine attitude of the Trump Administration is the Strangest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Under the leadership of Donald Trump, the United States completed a reversal of its decades long foreign policy, which has also had a spectacular decisions, such as the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The decision, the support for the Palestinians, and the withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran to document the new course.
Now it seems that the United States is ready to do so, the Israeli claims about dieumstrittenen Golan heights on Syrian territory. This decision would give Netanyahu a valuable Triumph in the Israeli election campaign.
In fact, Netanyahu seems to have in Trump found a reliable Partner. Both are connected to each other in a “slightly exclusive relationship,” Miller says. This could be strengthened on Monday when the Israeli Prime Minister will be received by the US President in the White house. Both men fight for a policy that relies on the walls; both are at the centre of corruption investigations; and let the two of criticism with regard to the term “Fake news” to bounce off.
“The Israeli Prime Minister tampered with the full intention of the Israeli policy, to give the impression that the Republican party is the party to which Israel always could turn to,” Miller says. “Likewise, the Republican President manipulated intentionally political environment.”
Exclusive relationship: U.S. President Donald Trump and the Israeli Prime Keren Netanyahu
Calls for a Boycott
However, many Jewish Americans, especially from the younger Generation, are concerned about the, in your opinion, is always harder policy of the Israeli Prime Minister. “Jewish Voice for Peace” is a group that supports the movement “Boycott, De-investment and sanctions” against Israel (BDS). She has launched a Social Media campaign with the Hashtag #IStandWithIlhan to the defense of Ilhan Omar.
The liberal group MoveOn is calling on democratic presidential candidates to boycott this year’s conference. “It is no secret that AIPAC has been trying to hinder diplomatic efforts such as Iran Deal, Palestinian self-determination to undermine and personalities who are actively involved in human rights violations, to get to your stage”, wrote about Iram Ali, campaign Director for MoveOn Political Action said in a statement.
For AIPAC itself, this year’s conference is likely to be a balancing act. The speakers continue to come from both parties, but a relaxation depends mainly on the outcome of the next elections, analyzed Miller. “A new Israeli Prime Minister, and another US President could improve the Situation.”