Ramzy Baroud // Israeli hands in the American ‘fear industry’ - Al Arabiya English

20.11.17

Israeli hands in the American ‘fear industry’ - Al Arabiya English: Indeed, Israeli footprints are becoming more apparent in the US security apparatus. The harm in this goes beyond politics to infringing upon the rights of ordinary Americans.

US Senate Bill S.720 should have been a wake-up call. The Bill, drafted by the Israel lobby group, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), as part of its "2017 Lobbying Agenda" is set to punish any individual or company that boycotts Israel for its violation of Palestinian human rights.

Still, protests are largely muted. The mainstream US media is yet to take US lawmakers to task, as hundreds of those elected representatives have already endorsed the deplorable initiative.

The infiltration of the US government is not new. It is only becoming more emboldened due to the absence of enough critical voices that have the ability to create a semblance of balance or a serious debate on the issue.

For years, ordinary US citizens have been far-removed from the entire discussion on Israel and Palestine. The subject felt alien, marred by Hollywood propaganda, religious misconceptions and the lack of any understanding of history.

But in recent years, Israel has become an integral part of American life, even if most people do not spot the Israeli influence.

"In the aftermath of 9/11, Israel seized on its decades-long experience as an occupying force to brand itself as a world leader in counter-terrorism," reported Alice Speri in the Intercept.