A troubling myth re-emerges as Netanyahu visits Obama

[Christa]

By Dr James Zogby

There is a persistent and pernicious myth that “Jewish money” is the determinant factor shaping all aspects of U.S. Middle East policy. Not only is this a core belief among anti-Semites, it is also advanced by some advocates of Israel, who see the notion serving a purpose.

The myth re-emerged as the Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to visit Washington this week. Speculation about the purpose of the visit has been rife in both the Arab and Israeli press. One column, appearing in Maariv, a major Israeli tabloid daily, made reference to the myth in a way so striking that it must be examined more closely.

/snip

So Mr Netanyahu can claim what he wishes (settlements are still, for all intents and purposes, frozen), and “insiders” can boast or threaten as they do, but the Democratic Party is doing quite well. The reality is that talks are continuing and Washington is the one who is issuing the invitations and calling the shots.

-- Dr James Zogby is president of the Arab American Institute, senior adviser to Zogby International and author of the forthcoming book Arab Voices: What They Are Saying to Us And Why It Matters (Palgrave-Macmillan, October 2010)

http://english.aljazeera.com/news/articles/39/A-troubling-myth-re-emerges-as-Netanyahu-visits-Ob.html#

Interesting comments at the end of this article.