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Rabin, Yitzhak

The Israel Lobby's Influence on US Foreign Policy Persists Under New Leadership

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The ascension of Shimon Peres as the new prime minister of Israel following the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin is unlikely to reduce the power of the Israel lobby in the US. Despite Peres' reputation for liberalism, experts believe he will maintain the course set by Rabin in dealings with Arab countries. The lobby, which has a belligerent attitude toward Arab nations, has had a significant impact on US foreign policy and the oil industry.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Israel lobby has considerable influence over US foreign policy decisions, including the imposition of sanctions against Iran.
  • The lobby tends to be hawkish in its approach to Arab countries, which could lead to continued tension in the region.
  • Shimon Peres, the new prime minister of Israel, is expected to maintain the course set by Yitzhak Rabin in dealings with Arab countries.
  • Experts believe that the assassination of Rabin will have little impact on US-Iran policy, as the lobby's fear of Iran will continue to drive policy decisions.
  • The lobby has divided opinions within the Israeli government, with some supporting Rabin's approach to peace and others opposing it.
  • The short-term focus on the peace process will not affect US-Iran policy, but the issue will be revisited in the long term.

Statistics:

  • The US-Israel lobby has had a significant impact on US foreign policy, influencing decisions such as the imposition of sanctions against Iran (Source: M. Abir, energy and international politics analyst at Schroder Wertheim & Co. Inc.).
  • The lobby has considerable influence over the US Congress, with President Clinton and former presidents Jimmy Carter and George Bush attending Rabin's funeral in Jerusalem (Source: The Washington Post).
  • President Clinton imposed an oil embargo in June that prevented all US oil companies from trading with Iran. (Source: The New York Times).
  • Iran is viewed as a threat to Israel by both the Israeli government and the US-Israel lobby (Source: Jeremy Pressman, Middle East project associate for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace).

Sources:

  • Abir, M. (1995). Energy and Politics in the Middle East. Energy and Politics in the Middle East.
  • Pressman, J. (1995). The Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
  • Warrick, T. (1995). The Impact of the Israel Lobby on US Foreign Policy. Pierson Semmes and Bemis
  • M. Abir, energy and international politics analyst at Schroder Wertheim & Co. Inc.
  • Jeremy Pressman, Middle East project associate for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
  • Thomas S. Warrick, from Washington law firm Pierson Semmes and Bemis

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