The
Hidden Cost Of Free Congressional Trips To Israel
By Jim Abourezk
30 January, 2007
Countercurrents.org
SIOUX FALL, S.D.
- Democrats in Congress have moved quickly – and commendably –
to strengthen ethics rules. But truly groundbreaking reform was prevented,
in part, because of the efforts of the pro-Israel lobby to preserve
one of its most critical functions: taking members of Congress on free
"educational" trips to Israel.
The pro-Israel lobby does
most of its work without publicity. But every member of Congress and
every would-be candidate for Congress comes to quickly understand a
basic lesson. Money needed to run for office can come with great ease
from supporters of Israel, provided that the candidate makes certain
promises, in writing, to vote favorably on issues considered important
to Israel. What drives much of congressional support for Israel is fear
– fear that the pro-Israel lobby will either withhold campaign
contributions or give money to one's opponent.
In my own experience as a
US senator in the 1970s, I saw how the lobby tries to humiliate or embarrass
members who do not toe the line.
Pro-Israel groups worked
vigorously to ensure that the new reforms would allow them to keep hosting
members of Congress on trips to Israel. According to the Jewish Daily
Forward newspaper, congressional filings show Israel as the top foreign
destination for privately sponsored trips. Nearly 10 percent of overseas
congressional trips taken between 2000 and 2005 were to Israel. Most
are paid for by the American Israel Education Foundation, a sister organization
of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the major pro-Israel
lobby group.
New rules require all trips
to be pre-approved by the House Ethics Committee, but Rep. Barney Frank
(D) of Massachusetts says this setup will guarantee that tours of Israel
continue. Ron Kampeas of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported consensus
among Jewish groups that "the new legislation would be an inconvenience,
but wouldn't seriously hamper the trips to Israel that are considered
a critical component of congressional support for Israel."
These trips are defended
as "educational." In reality, as I know from my many colleagues
in the House and Senate who participated in them, they offer Israeli
propagandists an opportunity to expose members of Congress to only their
side of the story. The Israeli narrative of how the nation was created,
and Israeli justifications for its brutal policies omit important truths
about the Israeli takeover and occupation of the Palestinian territories.
What the pro-Israel lobby
reaps for its investment in these tours is congressional support for
Israeli desires. For years, Israel has relied on billions of dollars
in US taxpayer money. Shutting off this government funding would seriously
impair Israel's harsh occupation.
One wonders what policies
Congress might support toward Israel and the Palestinians absent the
distorting influence of these Israel trips – or if more members
toured Palestinian lands. America sent troops to Europe to prevent the
killing of civilians in the former Yugoslavia. But when it comes to
flagrant human rights violations committed by Israel, the US sends more
money and shields Israel from criticism.
Congress regularly passes
resolutions lauding Israel, even when its actions are deplorable, providing
it political cover. Meanwhile, polls suggest most Americans want the
Bush administration to steer a middle course in working for peace between
Israelis and the Palestinians.
Consider, too, how the Israel
lobby twists US foreign policy into a dangerous double standard regarding
nuclear issues. The US rattles its sabers at Iran for its nuclear energy
ambitions – and alleged pursuit of nuclear arms – while
remaining silent about Israel's nuclear-weapons arsenal.
Members of Congress may not
be aware just how damaging their automatic support for Israel is to
America's interest. At a minimum, US policies toward Israel have cost
it valuable allies in the Middle East and other parts of the Muslim
world.
If Congress is serious about
ethics reform, it should not protect the Israel lobby from the consequences.
A totally taxpayer-funded travel budget for members to take foreign
fact-finding trips, with authorization to be made by committee heads,
would be an important first step toward a foreign policy that genuinely
serves America.
• This article was
first published in Christian Science Monitor. Jim Abourezk is a former
Democratic senator from South Dakota.
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