This lecture examined the influence of the Israeli lobby
on US Middle East policy. In addition to influencing
US policy toward Iraq, Iran, Syria and Lebanon, the
lobby is the main reason why the United States has
consistently favored Israel over the Palestinians, and
it is the main reason why Washington has not been
able to put meaningful pressure on Israel to stop
building settlements and colonizing the Occupied
Territories. These policies are not in the United States’
or Israel’s national interest, and most certainly not in
the Palestinians’ interest. Yet despite these unfortunate
consequences, this situation is unlikely to change in
the near future.