MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Location: file:///C:/D06BE2A5/lgapInterestgroupsc92009lecture.htm Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" What is the pro-Israeli Lobby and how does it work

What is the pro-Israeli Lobby and how does it work?

       

Who is interested in advancing causes that they percei= ve to advantage Israel

 

Jewish population- not monolithic, range from secular = and integrated into society to observant and separate comm= unites, <5% of the US population, Vote disproportional to their numbers- high turnout

  2. Many Jewish people of all backgrounds, the continued existence of the Stat= e of Israel is vital. 

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>&nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;           i.   &nb= sp;  AIPAC- Large, often more conservative, substantial coffers, Ideological, purposive

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>&nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;         ii.   &n= bsp;  J Street- small, new and more liberal, far less well-off, Ideological, purposive

  2. Some fundamentalist and evangelical sects believe that in order for the rapture to occur, Israel needs to regain its original borders of Palestine/Judea.

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>&nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &n= bsp;            = ;           i.   &nb= sp;  Christian Coalition and like groups (substantial ef= fect on Conservative Republicans).  Large, widespread membership, higher numbers in Southern States.  Financially solvent.  Ideological, purposive (impassione= d!!!)

  2. Israel’s existence as the only democratic nation in the Near East, in addition, Realpolitik followers see Israel as a crucial ally in the Near East= .

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>&nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;           i.   &nb= sp;  Thinktanks- Heritage Foundation, small and highly educated group.

<= span style=3D'mso-list:Ignore'>&nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;            &= nbsp;           &nbs= p;         ii.   &n= bsp;  Trilateral Group other Foreign Affairs Organization= s?

 

 

 

Which group would start a mail in, grassroots campaign, which would be likely to rally, which would seek to Lobby by “educating”, which by seeding legislators w/legit campaign fund= s, which would want to quietly and tacitly work with Congress and keep a “low” profile. Forgoing the political process for litigation

 

Always look at where the groups support lies, members,= what are the incentives (material, purposive, solidary) to join the group, how hard will the members work (passionate v. not so passio= nate-are there cleavages btw the people at the top of your group and the membership), are you willing to alienate some? Do you suppose you’ll have widespre= ad support- will public opinion polls help you? Is this the kind of issue that= a legislator would have difficulty understanding without some tutoring? Is yo= ur group well funded so can it have a PAC and seed money through campaigns? Can you afford TV and newspaper advertisements?