The United States and Israel have not always been on the best of terms. After its formation in 1948, Israel initially had a difficult time both establishing and maintaining a close relationship with the United States. The U.S. government sought to maintain its distance, because at the time, it was thought that any establishment of a close relationship with Israel would result in a type of questionable military alliance from which the United States would never be able to exit. This led to the sustainment of a neutral stance on Israel across various presidential administrations.

This neutrality ended with the conception of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee under the Eisenhower administration in 1953. Since then, the AIPAC has grown to become one of the most powerful lobbying groups in Washington, consisting of approximately 100,000 members with a $100 million budget. Given that the AIPAC has guided and continues to guide America’s foreign policy concerning Israel and the Middle East, one must wonder if they are indeed acting in both Israel’s and America’s best interests.

The AIPAC supposedly works to create the best possible alliance and circumstances for Israel. Some of their stated achievements include “prohibiting U.S. aid and contacts with the Hamas-led PA,” “increasing military aid to Israel” and “condemning Iran” while “extending U.S.-backed loan guarantees to Israel.” Even though these are just a few examples of what the AIPAC has claimed to accomplish for Israel, none of this is beneficial and only undermines Israel’s security, stability and democracy.

By prohibiting American aid and contact with Hamas, the AIPAC is ensuring the Palestinian crisis will never be solved. If the United States were to donate and open resources to the Palestinians in Gaza who reside under Hamas, this would create internal pressure on the Hamas government to change its stance on both Israel and the United States.

By encouraging increased military aid to Israel, the AIPAC is encouraging violence, rather than reasonable security. By pushing the U.S. government to condemn Iran on various actions, the group is creating a dangerous tension between Israel, the United States and Iran that could break into another ridiculous and costly war. By extending U.S.-backed military loans, the AIPAC is, again, pushing for violence rather than the peace and security of Israel.

The AIPAC’s questionable agenda has led to the creation of a new Jewish lobbying organization called J Street. In a statement directed at the AIPAC, executive director Jeremy Ben-Ami said, “The term ‘pro-Israel’ has been hijacked by those who hold views that a majority of Americans, Jews and non-Jews alike, oppose.”

Even though J Street is newly formed and has an initial budget of only $1.5 million, it is the best possible alternative to the AIPAC’s violent and ignorant agenda. J Street will lobby against the AIPAC in the hopes of allowing a broader discourse on Israeli peace and security. J Street supports a two-state solution in the area, demonstrated when Mr. Ben-Ami said, “The most pro-Israel thing any American politician or policy maker can do is help to bring about a two-state solution and a comprehensive peace agreement between Israel and her neighbors.”

It is entirely reasonable for one to act in the perceived interest of one’s nation. However, without proper reflection on the future of such actions, what may seem most reasonable is usually not. The AIPAC may believe throwing more and more American weaponry into Israel will ensure its stability, but this only fuels aggression and hate. The AIPAC may believe that by forcing the United States to not commit any resources or time to the Palestinians in Gaza, it will further ensure Israel’s legitimacy.

Instead, the AIPAC defers peace and stability for Israel.

The AIPAC’s inane and dangerous agenda sacrifices both Israel and America’s integrity and interests. However, J Street is actually acting in both countries’ interests by seeking answers peacefully and promoting dialogue. It is evident that those behind the founding of J Street have taken their time and reflected properly on how best to support Israel. Through dialogue we can find peace, prosperity and security for all involved.

Wasim Salman ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in international relations.