Foreign Policy: How the Israeli Lobby Pushed Washington Towards a Direct Confrontation with Iran?

Questions are escalating within political circles in Washington about the driving forces that pushed the United States towards engaging in a new military confrontation with Iran. In this context, 'Foreign Policy' magazine published an analysis by the prominent academic Stephen Walt, in which he indicated that this war is not proceeding as expected, which opens the door for accountability for the parties that promoted it.

Walt believes there are strong indications supporting the belief that this war is being waged primarily on behalf of Israeli interests. He cites statements by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who confirmed that the American administration was fully aware of Israeli plans for the attack, and even chose to initiate the attack despite anticipating Iranian reactions against American forces.

The analysis indicates that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the primary driver of this trend, having exerted intense pressure for many months to drag Washington into the conflict. This was accompanied by a media campaign from pro-Israel analysts, such as Bret Stephens, who consistently called for striking Iran and justifying the current military operations.

Walt clarifies the necessity of accurately defining the 'Israeli lobby,' emphasizing that it is not a religious or ethnic entity, but rather a political alliance comprising individuals and groups aiming to maintain a 'special relationship' with Israel. This relationship ensures unconditional military and diplomatic support for Tel Aviv, regardless of the repercussions of its policies on American interests.

The author stressed the danger of holding American Jews as a whole responsible for this war, describing it as an analytical and moral error. He explained that historical opinion polls have proven that American Jews are often less enthusiastic about wars in the Middle East compared to others, as happened in the 2003 Iraq War.

Walt strongly criticized some Israeli institutes that publish opinion polls claiming that the majority of American Jews support the current war, considering them 'fake' results derived from unrepresentative samples. He warned that such irresponsible reports contribute to fueling anti-Semitic sentiments that everyone seeks to avoid.

In contrast, American Jewish voices strongly opposing the war have emerged, such as the liberal organization 'J Street' and other progressive movements like 'Jewish Voice for Peace.' These groups issued official statements condemning the military escalation and calling for diplomatic solutions instead of being drawn into new bloody conflicts.

The analysis holds President Donald Trump directly responsible for the decision to go to war, just as George W. Bush did in Iraq. Walt believes that Trump is surrounded by a circle of advisors and loyalists who prioritize Israel's interests, which has critically influenced the formulation of current foreign policy.

Names such as Jared Kushner, Steve Witkoff, and Mike Huckabee stand out as key pillars in the current administration that absolutely support Israeli orientations. These officials, along with Marco Rubio, represent a current that views the protection of Israel as a fundamental pillar, and are often closely associated with major pro-Tel Aviv donors.

Political money played a pivotal role in this scene, with Walt pointing to the influence of Miriam Adelson, the largest donor in the last elections. Trump openly acknowledged his appreciation for the Adelson family's role, reflecting the extent to which the influence of major funders permeates the direction of war and peace decisions in the American administration.

The war was not born of the moment, but rather the result of years of work by lobbying groups such as 'AIPAC' and the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. These entities worked diligently to tarnish Iran's image and thwart any previous attempts to improve relations, including lobbying to cancel the nuclear agreement in 2018 despite Tehran's commitment to it.

Walt believes that enabling Netanyahu to exercise 'reckless leadership' in the region was a direct result of American presidents' inability to exert real pressure on Israel. This situation allowed Tel Aviv to expand the scope of its targets to include Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen, leading to a direct confrontation with Iran.

Although the American administration engaged in this war 'voluntarily and enthusiastically,' the lobby's role in preparing the political environment and defending the 'special relationship' cannot be ignored. Without this political and institutional cover, it would have been difficult for Washington to justify its involvement in costly conflicts far from its borders.

Walt concludes his analysis by calling for accountability for those responsible for this 'catastrophe,' from the top of the hierarchy down to the smallest planners. He asserts that America will continue to appear as a 'savage bully' on the international stage unless the influence of lobbying groups is reduced and a normal, balanced relationship with Israel that serves true American interests is achieved.

The war in Iran is not going as planned, and as Americans face another catastrophe in the Middle East, they wonder who is truly responsible and who should be blamed.