Licensing
Photo copyright by Xela Films
The Lobby
Documentary, 25 minutes
Year of production: 2003
Director: Benny Brunner
Produced by: Produced by Dutch TV Ikon
Versions: English
How
powerful is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)? The new
documentary film THE LOBBY is a balanced examination of this controversial
subject.
Considering
the pro-Israeli attitude of every recent U.S. administration, it is often
suggested that the Jewish lobby dictates Washington's Middle East policy. AIPAC
does make and break the careers of politicians, like the NRA and the former
Christian Coalition. But does this organization really have a major influence on
U.S. foreign policy?
In
THE LOBBY people from varying backgrounds, with diverse political attitudes give
their opinion on this matter. Some of those interviewed include:
Steven Grossman – former president of AIPAC
Malcolm Hoenlein – Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish
Organizations representative
Denise Majette – Georgia congresswoman
J.J. Goldberg –Jewish weekly Forward editor
Janet McMahon – Washington
Report editor
Noam Chomsky – MIT professor
The
opinions of these and the other interviewees form a rounded, rational and
unemotional conversation about an often-avoided subject.
"RECOMMENDED. THE LOBBY provides an evaluation
of one of the more successful interest groups in American politics, and also
addresses the foreign policy influence of the broader Jewish community. In
addition, the film demonstrates the importance of money within the U.S.
political process... Several interviewees compare the AIPAC with the National
Rifle Association, placing the film's critique in the broader context of the
power and influence exerted by single-issue interest groups. THE LOBBY is a
balanced critique of the U.S.'s pro-Israeli stance, and a useful in-class
discussion tool."—Educational
Media Reviews Online
For licensing and more information please contact:
Björn Jensen
email: jensen(at)gingerfoot.de (For spam protection please change (at) with @)
Ó 2003 by Benny Brunner
