Pushing right-wing American politics -- in Israel

[Scurrilous]

Are Israeli politicians increasingly beholden to conservative Americans who lavish them with financial support and political pressure?

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"American voters are not alone in soon facing a crucial leadership decision. In Israel, corruption allegations are sweeping Prime Minister Ehud Olmert out of office, and next month the incumbent Kadima Party will hold a primary, with a general election likely to follow close behind. With closed-door negotiations under way with the Palestinian Authority, and tensions rising with Iran, the new Israeli government will be stepping in at a sensitive time, and its decisions will have serious repercussions for the country's future.

Israeli citizens, then, may be facing a crucial election. But they aren't the only ones determining who will lead them next.

Much ink has been spilled about the deep influence of Israel lobbyists in U.S. politics, but largely overlooked is that the relationship is a two-way street -- with American influence reaching into Jerusalem. In fact, the Israeli political world is increasingly weighed down by American dollars and pressure, particularly from conservative American Jews, Evangelical groups and other hawkish political operatives. That comes to the rising dismay of some in Israel, and is potentially dangerous for both countries in terms of swaying politicians' actions and decisions.

One of the major causes of Olmert's downfall was his relationship with Morris Talansky, an American businessman. Talanksy claims that over the last 15 years, he has repeatedly given Olmert envelopes filled with cash, totaling over $150,000. There have been no concrete indications that Talansky received anything in return or influenced Israeli policy, and he has stated that his financial support for Olmert was based on Olmert's past hard-line positions and Talansky's desire to help support them. Even if there was no personal benefit to Talansky, though, the scandal has raised questions about the role of American money in Israeli politics."

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[LeftishBrit]

1. Interesting

I have always thought there was far more right-wing American influence on Israel than the other way round. As indeed is the case re RW American influence on some other countries, including my own. Not that Americans are more right-wing than anyone else; but America is bigger and more influential than most countries.