The World The AIPAC Conundrum And Sense Of Purpose JAMES D. BESSER Washington Correspondent T his year's American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference, which begins Sunday, will take place against a more dramatic back- drop than usual: a looming crisis in U.S.-Israel relations, an administra- tion squeeze on Israel and tumult in the American Jewish community over how to respond. As usual, the pro-Israel lobbying giant is in the thick of the action, earning mixed reviews from Jewish leaders who still turn to AIPAC when the going gets tough, but worry the group has unnecessarily used con- frontational tactics against an admin- istration most American Jews still trust to do the right thing for Israel. Journalists routinely mark the annual conference with stories about internal dissent at AIPAC, or alleging its lost sense of mission. But the facts on the ground tell a different story: at least in its ability to move Con- gress, AIPAC is as powerful as ever. But recent U.S.-Israel friction highlights longstanding problems that could ultimately undercut the muscular lobby group. AIPAC's aggressive style derives from a time when Israel's cause was championed by few in Washington. It's not clear yet whether it has adjusted to a new environment in which support for the Jewish state is a given. And AIPAC, which once spoke for a Jewish community united by a few Middle East articles of faith, now advocates Israeli policies that have deeply divided American Jewry. Those divisions will be a sub- theme at next week's policy confer- ence, an annual set piece showcasing the clout of a group that can still attract scores of senators, House members, administration officials and political wannabes. The intensifying skirmishes over the Clinton administration's peace policies illustrate AIPAC at its best, while at the same time pointing to a group that critics say is losing touch , 5/15 1998 42 ultimatum demanding that Prime with the American Jewish center. Minister Binyamin Netanyahu accept For months, AIPAC lobbyists and a series of administration proposals. lay leaders, following the lead of the "AIPAC has been extraordinarily Netanyahu government, have mobi- effective in recent weeks, and their lized the Republican-led Congress to concern about the change in adminis- pre-empt what many saw as an tration policy is not unfounded," said impending administration squeeze on the disgruntled director of another Israel. major Jewish group. "But there are Earlier in the month, the group many who think they've been effec- in only convinced 81 senators tive in the wrong four days, a tri- way — going to umph of effective .1 the barricades, lobbying — to 0 when quiet per- sign a letter criti- suasion with our cizing adminis- friends in the tration policy administration is and demanding it" called for." not advance pro- g But this leader posals considered conceded that the objectionable by administration the Netanyahu could eventually government. cross the fuzzy The Confer- line separating ence of Presi- prodding from dents of Major arm twisting. American Jewish Indeed, after Organizations, refusing to pub- representing lead- licly back ers of every AIPAC's tough major Jewish line last week, the group, gave the Presidents Con- letter-writing ference on Mon- effort only tepid day seemed to approval, and embrace AIPAC's some complained harsher view of that AIPAC had the administra- steered the pro- tion ultimatum. Israel community And if a con- into an unneces- does frontation sary confronta- develop, this tion. source said, But an angry, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu AIPAC will be worried adminis- leaves the meeting with British Prime the only effective tration took note Minister Tony Blair, the results of which barrier against of AIPAC's were criticized by AIPAC. policy changes achievement, that could threat- which left Presi- en Israel's security. dent Clinton significantly less That reflects the essential dilemma maneuvering room as he tried to for a Jewish community that has des- break the 14-month Israeli-Palestin- ignated AIPAC its Capitol Hill voice ian impasse. on matters involving U.S. Middle The pattern was repeated last East policy. week, when AIPAC helped mobilize The lobby group grew into a hard-hitting congressional criticism Washington powerhouse — Fortune of the London peace talks, which magazine recently rated it the second ended with what amounted to an most powerful lobby in the capital — at a time when the top Middle East issues were ones on which there was almost universal consensus in the Jewish community: the protection of Israel's U.S. aid and the fight against arms sales to hostile Arab nations. But consensus is now elusive, and broad-based groups like the Presi- dents Conference, which includes organizations as diverse as the Zionist Organization of America and Ameri- cans for Peace Now, are increasingly muted because their own members disagree about fundamental peace process issues. AIPAC suffers no such restrictions As a result, it can act quickly and forcefully. In recent weeks, there's li tle question AIPAC has been doing exactly what the Likud government in Jerusalem wants, and doing it well. But does that reflect the views of the American Jewish community? The polls are contradictory, but man Jewish leaders say no: the community continues to trust Bill Clinton even after last week's ultimatum, accordi to an Israel Policy Forum poll, and' many Jewish leaders oppose an aggressive congressional strategy. An AIPAC that operated by con- sensus would be crippled as a lobby, especially today, with deep division prevalent among Jews. But freed fro the need to reflect diversifying Jewish views, there's a danger AIPAC's lob- bying will lose the backing of the community it claims to represent. There's also the question of AIPAC's status as the only pro-Israel group sanctioned by the.community to lobby on Capitol Hill. That pre- eminence, critics say, made sense when the Jewish community was able to put aside its differences to push a few issues of overarching importance. But what about today, when the community's views are all over the field? Many Jewish leaders are uneasy about AIPAC, but they also depend on it as much as ever; that, more than anything else, could be the sub- text to this week's Washington policy conference. ❑ .