Grant Smith, of the Inst. for Research: ME Policy,a keen observer of AIPAC and the institutions of the Israel Lobby notes how the presence of right-wing pro-Israel, pro-settler in Trump's White House and family, makes the the historic role of AIPAC and the Conference of Major Jewish American Organizations redundant and accounts for the failure of Trump to observe the tradition of past US presidents in consulting with them before he has meetings with an Israeli prime minister or travels to Israel or the Middle East.
AIPAC's other role, steering funds to campaigns of pro-Israel politicians remains as important as ever, given the inflation of the amounts of money required to run Congressional campaigns when there are no limits placed on donors.
Smith notes how mainstream media has ignored role of foreign governments, not only Israel, but Turkey, Saudi Arabia, etc., in purchasing US lobbyists to make their cases in Washington, but refers to a series of articles on Consortium as welcome exception as part of arguing that while the mainstream media remains unchanged in its coverage of Israel related issues, social media is beginning to make its presence felt.
He points out that polls he has fielded show Americans to he ahead of their politicians, citing as an example, a poll that showed that the majority of Americans supported the Obama administration's decision not to veto the UNSC resolution criticizing Israeli settlements and that 28% of the public think Israel is liable to get the US into a major war, only exceeded by So. Korea among US allies.
He also speaks of the progress in his federal cases to hold back issuing of US aid to Israel because it violates the Glen-Symington amendment of 1971 making aid to non-signers of the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty that are engaged in building or buying nuclear weapons against the law which the US has ignored and his challenge to a federal gag order imposed by President Obama making it illegal for federal employees to speak about Israel's nuclear weapons program
As for Trump, Smith points out that the president has learned nothing from the events of 9-11, by doubling down on US support and aid for Saudi Arabia and offering his full support for Netanyahu on his trip to Israel, noting that the two issues which outraged Osama bin Laden, was the presence of US bases in Saudi Arabia and its support for Israeli occupation of Palestine.
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