According to Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, US lawmakers’ ability to halt arms sales to Israel is severely limited due to the powerful lobbying influence of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Blumenthal argues that AIPAC’s political power is a key factor in ensuring continued US support for Israel, including the consistent supply of arms.
One of the first gestures extended to newly elected members of Congress is a free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC. This initiative is designed to build early relationships and shape the perspectives of US politicians. Blumenthal points out that many politicians, particularly those with limited understanding of the Palestinian situation, are often swayed by these early interactions and the financial backing AIPAC provides for their re-election campaigns. In some cases, those who view Israel through a religious lens—considering it a “holy land”—may be particularly inclined to align with Israeli policies, regardless of the broader regional context.
Blumenthal also highlights the direct role of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in shaping US political attitudes. Netanyahu’s visits to Washington, he suggests, reinforce a network of support that operates like a powerful and insular operation, comparable to a “mafia boss” and his enforcers. Politicians, often unaware of the Palestinian perspective or uninterested in the broader regional dynamics, are quick to offer support to Netanyahu. AIPAC’s lobbying, coupled with deep-rooted biases against Arabs and Muslims within the US political system, ensures minimal opposition to its efforts. This combination of financial influence, political lobbying, and ideological alignment makes it nearly impossible to shift US policy on Israel.
The Role of the Arms Industry and US Media in Shaping Policy
Blumenthal further argues that the relationship between US lawmakers and the defense industry plays a critical role in sustaining US military support for Israel. According to Blumenthal, arms industry funding flows directly into the campaigns of US politicians, ensuring their continued support for policies that favor military aid to Israel. This financial leverage is complemented by frequent briefings from the Pentagon, which works to sway congressional views in line with defense industry interests.
Additionally, Blumenthal notes that US media outlets are often complicit in promoting the narrative of Israeli victimhood and justifying its military actions. He claims that journalists who challenge this narrative or seek to report critically on US complicity in Israeli actions risk losing their jobs, illustrating the extent to which the media landscape is shaped by political and corporate interests.
The US and International Law: Complicity in War Crimes
Blumenthal contends that US military support for Israel has led to violations of both international humanitarian law and US domestic law. Since the escalation of violence in Gaza on October 7, 2023, the US has provided Israel with billions of dollars in arms, effectively enabling Israel to carry out military actions that violate the rights of Palestinian civilians.
Blumenthal argues that the US has become complicit in war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza, particularly with regards to the targeting of civilians. He points to evidence of US-made weapons being used in attacks that have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of innocent people. One example he cites is the discovery of remnants of US-made bombs in a shelter in Beit Lahiya, Gaza, where nearly 100 people were killed in an airstrike. According to Blumenthal, such evidence undermines the claim that US arms sales to Israel are in compliance with international law.
Furthermore, Blumenthal criticizes the US government for failing to act on its own legal principles. He highlights the contradiction between the US law, which prohibits the supply of weapons to nations that block humanitarian aid, and Israel’s actions in Gaza, where the flow of aid has been severely restricted. Despite official appeals from US leaders like Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, Israel has permitted only a fraction of the requested supplies to pass through. This, Blumenthal argues, should trigger US sanctions, yet he expresses doubt that Washington will take any such action against Israel.
Political Pressures and the Suppression of Dissent
Blumenthal’s analysis extends beyond the issue of arms sales to consider the broader political environment in the US He claims that the immense influence of AIPAC makes it nearly impossible for a presidential candidate within the Democratic Party to emerge without being influenced by Israel. Those who challenge Israel’s policies or refuse to meet its demands, Blumenthal suggests, may face significant political and personal risks, including threats of assassination, similar to those faced by leaders in the Middle East who have resisted Israeli pressure.
This dynamic further discourages independent voices from challenging US policy towards Israel, creating a political climate where support for Israel is almost universally expected. The influence of AIPAC, combined with the interests of the arms industry, the Pentagon, and the media, creates an entrenched political establishment that shields Israel from accountability and limits the scope for alternative policies.
The US and International Accountability
Blumenthal concludes that the US, through its political and financial support for Israel, plays a central role in blocking international efforts to hold Israel accountable for its actions. The US wields considerable power at the United Nations and, along with its European allies, uses its influence to prevent any meaningful actions aimed at addressing human rights abuses or stopping the violence in Gaza. By using its veto power and diplomatic clout, the US effectively shields Israel from international scrutiny and prevents the implementation of measures that could challenge its actions, including a possible arms embargo.
In sum, Blumenthal’s analysis paints a picture of a US political system that is deeply aligned with Israeli interests, largely due to the influence of AIPAC, the arms industry, and entrenched political biases. This system of influence not only undermines efforts to alter US policy but also complicates international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and hold Israel accountable for violations of international law.
