Every year US taxpayers subsidize Israeli military spending to the tune of almost $4 billion (almost $5 billion in 2022). More $billions are expended to replace tax deductible contributions to so-called Israel -centric “charities” like “US Friends of the Israel Defense Forces,” AIPAC’s “educational” arm or financial support for illegal Israeli settlements on occupied land. Congress regularly passes legislation proposed by Israel’s US supporters, like the recent H.Res.311 – “Encouraging the expansion and strengthening of the Abraham Accords to urge other nations to normalize relations with Israel,” which, among other things, pledged to continue the flow of US taxpayer funds to Israel. The resolution was adopted in the House, with almost no debate, by a vote of 401-19. The US also makes sure that Israel is not held accountable at the UN for its violations of international law and numerous Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.

Recent opinion polls show that an increasing number of people in the US – and a plurality of Democrats – are skeptical about the nature of the Israeli government, its continuing occupation and illegal settlement building, while denying millions of Palestinians of any political rights. It is commonplace now for international human rights organizations and millions of Americans to characterize this system as Apartheid. Yet the leadership of both parties remains steadfast in financing Israel’s military and resisting any calls to hold it accountable.

Why is that – and how can we bring about change from this unquestioned support for Israel? Why does the US, which claims to support democracy and self-determination, ignore the rights of Palestinians and give Israel a permanent pass? How can US citizens more effectively hold our elected officials accountable for defying US public opinion on Israel and Palestine?

This MAPA webinar will look at the politics and influence behind these one-sided US policies toward Israel and Palestine with two well-informed two experts.

Lara Friedman is the President of the Foundation for Middle East Peace (FMEP). She is a leading authority on the Middle East, with particular expertise on U.S. foreign policy in the region, on Israel/Palestine, and on the way Middle East and Israel/Palestine-related issues play out in Congress and in U.S. domestic politics, policies, and legislation. Lara is a former officer in the U.S. Foreign Service, with diplomatic postings in Jerusalem, Washington, Tunis and Beirut. She also served previously as the Director of Policy and Government Relations at Americans for Peace Now.

Michael Arria is the U.S. correspondent for Mondoweiss, where he’s worked for the last five years. His work has appeared in In These Times, The Appeal, Truthout, and a number of other places. He is the author of Medium Blue: The Politics of MSNBC. He does a weekly politics newsletter for the website called The Shift, which you can subscribe to on their site. He’s originally from New England and recently moved back.”

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