December 02, 2024

They Dare to Speak Out: Confronting Israel's Lobby

30 minutes

Timeline of Events

Early Events (Pre-Source Focus)

1948: Israel is established. President Truman recognizes the new state, receiving significant Jewish support in his subsequent election.

1954: Fred Waller, a State Department official, is punished for leaking classified information to Israel. This marks the only known instance of a US government employee facing repercussions for such actions.

1967:

May: Egypt's President Nasser closes the Strait of Tiran, escalating tensions with Israel. The Israeli lobby pressures President Johnson to support Israel, sending an overwhelming number of telegrams and letters.

June: The Six-Day War takes place. The US provides significant military support to Israel, including airlifting weapons and supplies.

1973:

October: The Yom Kippur War breaks out. President Nixon orders an airlift of military equipment to Israel, which proves crucial to its war effort.

Late 1970s

1978:Senator Mathias votes in favor of selling F-15 fighter planes to Saudi Arabia, facing criticism from some Jewish constituents.

Congressman Paul Findley travels to South Yemen to negotiate the release of American hostage Ed Franklin.

Findley secures a declaration from PLO leader Yasser Arafat expressing willingness to accept an independent Palestinian state and recognize Israel.

1979:Congressman Findley faces criticism for his Middle East views and loses his bid for re-election.

Congressman Walter Fauntroy faces backlash from the Israeli lobby for his contacts with the PLO and his amendment seeking increased aid to Egypt.

1980s

1980:A leak from a secret White House meeting jeopardizes a sensitive arms deal with Saudi Arabia. Ambassador John West's efforts to work out a compromise are undermined by the leak.

1981:Israel bombs Iraq's nuclear reactor.

The sale of AWACS surveillance planes to Saudi Arabia triggers a major confrontation between the Israeli lobby and the Reagan administration. Congressman Rostenkowski faces pressure from the lobby and ultimately votes against the sale.

Senator Mathias publishes an article criticizing ethnic lobbies, including the Israeli lobby, in US foreign policy. He faces significant backlash from the Jewish community in Maryland.

1982:Israel invades Lebanon. Congressman Findley criticizes the invasion, deepening the controversy surrounding his views on the Middle East.

President Reagan presents a peace plan for the Middle East. Israel rejects the plan.

The Israeli lobby pressures Iowa voters to reject Senator Roger Jepson's bid for re-election after he criticizes Israel's settlements policy.

1983:John Glenn modifies his stance on the Middle East, ruling out talks with the PLO and excusing his vote for F-15 sales to Saudi Arabia.

1984:Senator Percy faces a challenging re-election campaign, with the Israeli lobby heavily involved in supporting his opponent.

Late 1980s:Jonathan Pollard, a US Navy analyst, is arrested for spying for Israel, revealing the extent of Israeli espionage activities in the US.

Mordechai Vanunu, an Israeli nuclear technician, exposes details of Israel's nuclear program. He is subsequently abducted by Mossad and sentenced to prison in Israel.

Ongoing Issues:

The Israeli lobby continues to exert significant influence on US Middle East policy.

Debate continues over US aid to Israel, particularly in light of Israel's policies in the occupied territories.

Israel's nuclear program remains a source of concern and controversy.

American evangelists increasingly voice support for Israel, further complicating the dynamics of US-Israel relations.

...more

View all episodes

By Mana Bond Limited