As Israeli artillery shells rained down on Lebanon last week, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee mobilized its forces to avert a public relations crisis amid worldwide criticism of the Jewish state. At least half a dozen members of Congress took advantage of hand-delivered speaking points as they took to the floor of the House and Senate to defend Israel's war against Hezbollah terrorism. These differing views have spilled over on issues ranging from aid to the Palestine Liberation Organization to counterterrorism legislation to moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel. When Republicans captured Congress in 1994, the result was a new leadership as well as a record number of new members, many of whom opposed any foreign aid.
Officials can point to recent roll call votes in which record numbers of lawmakers supported it.
But when it comes to the peace process, success is interpreted more subjectively. The pro-Palestinian aid stance has drawn criticism from other segments of the Jewish community. But others say there is a consensus for supporting the peace process and that aid to the Palestinians is part of that support. At the end of the day all of the objectives in support of the peace process that the Israeli government wished to see achieved in Washington have been accomplished. After a bruising fight between Congress and the Clinton administration, which said the measure would stop the peace process, a compromised provision that allows the president to delay the move passed Congress.