Name: Sytse Buruma Student number: 1391747
Course title: Master Dissertation American Studies Supervisor: Prof. Dr. W.M. Verhoeven
Year: 4 (Master) Academic year: 2007-2008
Course code: LAX999M20 Credits: 20
Word count: 16.413 Date: December 16, 2007
ABSTRACT
This dissertation seeks to analyze the strained relations between America and the Middle East. It has been written upon the assumption that the current situation is essentially a political conflict, as Washington’s Middle East policy is a major source of the current chaos. America’s position in the Arab-Israeli conflict effectively illustrates this, seeing that it contributed to the strained power relations in the region, increased anti-Americanism throughout the Arab world, and served as a breeding ground for terrorism. In scrutinizing this unfortunate policy, it is my opinion that an understanding of Washington’s foreign policy requires an appreciation of the domestic factors that shape it. In this case, especially the role of Congress is crucial, since Capitol Hill is the main architect of America’s pro-Israel policy. However, academic literature concerning America’s position in the Arab-Israeli conflict has often overlooked the influence of Congress, and the factors that shape the Hill’s Middle East policy. This remains a shortcoming, because many explanations for America’s actions can be disclosed by scrutinizing these aspects. Indeed, I will argue that Congress plays a vital role in establishing America’s foreign policy, and is heavily influenced by interest groups in formulating its course of action. Applying this to America’s position in the Arab-Israeli conflict, I will further contend that the American Jewish lobby has become extremely influential on the Hill, and this alliance between Congress and the pro-Israel lobby blocks every attempt to a more neutral and balanced approach toward the conflict. Arab-Americans, on the other hand, have been unable to effectively present their perspective on Capitol Hill. This is slowly changing, though, and the Arab-American lobby is on the rise, but cannot be expected to equal its Jewish counterpart in the foreseeable future. Consequently, the iron grip of American Jews on the Hill, combined with the inability of Arab-Americans to form a
CONTENTS
Introduction 1
Chapter I: Congress and Foreign Policy 10
Chapter II: Interest Groups 16
Chapter III: The Jewish Lobby 20
Chapter IV: The Arab-American Lobby 33
Conclusion 47
