Aipac is widely seen as speaking for Israel and American Jews from within US politics. But Aipac is certainly more hawkish on Middle East politics than most American Jews. Though the precise degree of its influence is hard to measure, it is by all accounts an effective lobbier of congress. And it is famously pugnacious when challenged. Yet its relentless focus on Israel’s short-term security needs is ultimately damaging to

Israel’s long-term need for a viable peace deal. Why, then, is there no counter-Aipac, no dovish Israel lobby?

Aipac tries to keep US policy almost entirely on the side of security needs... For over a year, there have been reports that a “liberal Israel lobby” is on the verge of forming. The new group will face many challenges, partly because liberal Jews in America are more likely to care about general US political issues than about ethnocentric ones. But for a new lobby the first principle should be that Israel’s strategic goal is peace based on a two-state solution with the Palestinians, and that America serves its own needs by helping Israel get there. Ultimately, Israel’s goal is to be part of the Middle East, not to be a garrison state in conflict with it. To support the most bellicose possible Israeli or US policies is to damage both countries. A liberal voice is needed in Washington to press that message.

Excerpted from Gershom Gorenberg’s ‘A liberal Israel lobby’ in the current issue of Prospect magazine