This is a story about the most well kept secret of modern times. It's the story of how representatives of a small nation have virtually taken control of US foreign policy. It's the story of The Israel Lobby.

Nine months ago, when the London Review of Books published The Israel Lobby, I knew nothing about the Israeli lobby or its chief lobbyist, AIPAC. (American Israel Public Affairs Committee)

When the report was published, there was an unprecedented attack on its two distinguished authors, John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt. I couldn't understand why an otherwise obscure academic report was drawing such an onslaught of criticism from around the world.

Now, after reading the report, I understand exactly what happened. With publication of the report, the secret was out in a big way and Israel didn't want anyone to wake this dog up. The lobby kicked into full-alert damage control. Their members did their part with an orchestrated attack on the report and its authors in every possible venue. But perhaps more importantly, the Israeli lobby exercised its considerable control over our elected officials by making sure they followed suit in denouncing the report.

As it turns out, the Israeli lobby is right to be concerned, for once the American public is aware of how they have corrupted our system of government, things may change.

The best way to convey what the Israeli lobby has accomplished is to let their own website (www.aipac.org) speak for itself.

From AIPAC’s "What We've Recently Achieved" section:

·Secured $ 2.52 BILLION in US aid to Israel

·Obtained $9 BILLION in US loan guarantees for Israel

·Increased US military aid to Israel by $ 1 BILLION

·Conditioned US Financial Assistance to the Palestinians by limiting aid to indirect assistance and requiring extensive reporting methods by the Palestinians

·Taking U.S. homeland security professionals on trips to Israel to exchange information

From AIPAC’s "Who We Are" section:

·Fortune magazine consistently ranks us among America's most powerful interest groups. The NY Times calls us “the most important organization affecting America's relationship with Israel."

·In meetings with members of Congress we help pass more than 100 pro-Israel initiatives a year.

·We are involved in the most crucial issues for Israel -- such as procuring $2.46 Billion in US aid.

·AIPAC lobbyists meet with every member of Congress and cover every hearing on Capitol Hill that touches on the U.S.-Israel relationship.

For those who would like to personally wield influence over our elected officials in support of Israel, AIPAC invites you to join one of its exclusive Special Clubs. Here are just two possibilities offered by their website.

The President's Cabinet (Minimum annual contribution of $25,000)

·President's Cabinet members enjoy the exclusivity they deserve; reserved seating and access to "members only" intimate events such as dining in the private homes of our nation's leaders.

·Our National Summit features leading members of Congress and other policymakers, key Israeli diplomats and top political pundits in a retreat-like setting.

The Minyan (AIPAC's most exclusive club. Minimum annual contribution of $100,000)

·Minyan members have the opportunity to interact up close and personal with American policy makers

·Past Minyan Missions have included a private dinner with V.P. Dick Cheney, dinner at the private home of V.P. Al Gore, closed-door briefings at the White House with the President's top foreign policy advisors and breakfast on Capitol Hill with key congressional committee chairs.

·Members have had their picture taken and mingled with leaders such as President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Rice and many others.

·Members are invited to memorable events in the homes of America's most influential public personalities.

· Members are poised to affect America's policies in the Middle East.

·Members attend our National Summit where leading members of Congress and other policymakers, key Israeli diplomats and top political pundits meet in a retreat-like setting.

The report, The Israel Lobby, sums things up nicely with this observation: .......the thrust of US policy in the Mid East derives almost entirely from the activities of the ‘Israel Lobby’. Other special-interest groups have managed to skew foreign policy, but no lobby has managed to divert it as far from what America’s national interest would suggest, while simultaneously convincing Americans that US interests and those of Israel – are essentially identical.

There is no question that the Israeli lobby has entangled our elected officials in their web of deceit of the American people. Ironically, as shown above, the Israeli lobby itself has provided proof of this perverted relationship.

For many valid reasons, Israel does deserve special treatment from us, but not to the extent that they have a blank check and are determining our foreign policy.

It’s time for each and every one of us to insist that our politicians stop caving in to any foreign government for a few campaign contributions and golfing vacations. It’s also time for every American citizen to be outraged at both political parties and every elected official; they have sold us out to the Israeli lobby and placed us in the extremely dangerous position of being hated by most of the world.

John Savarese can be reached at jvista@usa.com

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