The Israeli Lobby Casts a Heavy Shadow on U.S. Middle East Policy
The Israeli Lobby Casts a Heavy Shadow on U.S. Middle East Policy
According to the Iran Gate News Agency, evidence suggests that in recent months, the role of Israeli lobby networks in shaping U.S. Middle East policies, especially during Donald Trump’s presidency, has become more apparent. The main question now is whether this influence was merely tactical coordination or a serious part of Washington’s decision-making process.
The Influence of Israel and Its Lobbies on U.S. Policy: A Look at the Trump Era
In recent years, the debate over the extent and nature of Israel’s influence on U.S. policymaking, particularly during Donald Trump’s presidency from 2017 to 2021, has become a hot topic in political and academic circles.
Some political science scholars, including John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, in their book ‘The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy’ (2007), argue that pro-Israel pressure groups, especially the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), have a significant impact on Washington’s decisions.
According to these views, the mentioned influence affects not only foreign policy but also some domestic policies in the U.S.
Critics believe this influence has played a crucial role in shaping U.S. positions on Middle East crises, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, relations with Iran, and developments in Syria and Lebanon.
The central question is whether such influence is real and, if so, how it manifested during the Trump era.
Historical Background of Relations and the Role of the Israeli Lobby
Since the 1960s, U.S.-Israel relations have been recognized as special relations, based on shared strategic interests, similar political values, and the support of powerful lobbies.
Among these, AIPAC is known as one of the most influential lobbying organizations in the U.S. This organization plays a role in shaping Washington’s major decisions by providing financial resources for election campaigns and exerting pressure on Congress.
Reports indicate that AIPAC annually contributes millions of dollars to candidates aligned with Israeli policies and has played a key role in imposing economic sanctions against Iran.
Mearsheimer and Walt believe that this lobby sometimes guides U.S. foreign policy in ways that align more with Israel’s interests than with U.S. national interests.
The Trump Era: Political Convergence with Tel Aviv
During Donald Trump’s presidency, this convergence became more apparent than ever. Trump called himself the most pro-Israel president in history and made a series of controversial decisions that aligned with the positions of then-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
These decisions altered Washington’s longstanding tradition of maintaining a neutral mediator role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Examples of these decisions include: 1. Moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem (2018) – Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moved the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv, a decision contrary to traditional U.S. policies and UN resolutions. This move was welcomed by AIPAC and faced widespread opposition from the international community and Palestinians.
2. Recognizing Israeli Sovereignty over the Golan Heights (2019) – In an unprecedented move, Trump recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel, a decision condemned by the Syrian government and seen by some analysts as an effort to bolster Netanyahu’s electoral position.
3. Withdrawal from the JCPOA (2018) – Trump withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal and reinstated severe sanctions, changing U.S. policy towards Tehran. This decision was welcomed by AIPAC and opposed by America’s European allies, increasing regional tensions.
4. The Deal of the Century (2020) – The peace plan proposed by the Trump administration, initiated by Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, effectively favored Tel Aviv by legitimizing Israeli settlements and was rejected by the Palestinians.
5. Policy towards Syria and Lebanon – Trump ordered the withdrawal of some U.S. forces from Syria, a decision criticized by some pro-Israel lobbies. However, U.S. military aid to Israel increased during the same period.
Figures like Michael Tracey and Philip Giraldi on social media and in political analyses believe that Trump’s Middle East policies were somewhat influenced by Israeli interests. Even in the political debates of 2025, there are speculations about the continuation of this influence if Trump potentially returns.
Opposing Views and the Limitations of Influence
Contrary to these views, some researchers emphasize that Israel’s influence on U.S. policy is not absolute. Stephen Walt, in his recent interviews, has reminded that Washington’s foreign policy results from a combination of various factors, including competition with Iran, geopolitical considerations, and economic interests.
According to him, Trump’s decision to withdraw from Syria, which was against AIPAC’s opinion, is considered a sign of the White House’s relative independence in decision-making.
Additionally, some surveys indicate a decline in public support for Israel among Americans, especially Democratic voters, a trend that could weaken the power of pro-Israel lobbies in the future.
Outlook
Historical and political evidence shows that pro-Israel lobbies, especially AIPAC, have had a significant role in U.S. policymaking, and this influence was more pronounced during the Trump era.
Decisions such as withdrawing from the JCPOA, recognizing Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, and the Deal of the Century all indicate a clear alignment between Washington’s policies and Tel Aviv’s interests.
However, this influence cannot be considered absolute. Policymaking in the U.S. is influenced by a variety of factors, including the president’s personal priorities, internal pressures, and global considerations.
Further studies on the relations between the two countries in 2025 could provide a more accurate understanding of the scope and nature of this influence. However, what is certain is that Israel’s impact on U.S. Middle East policy remains one of the main topics of discussion in international politics.
