Four days of exposing the Israel lobby, AIPAC, in D.C.

I just returned from four days in Washington DC at the Move Over AIPAC conference and am not sure if I return feeling more despondent by the incredible power of this Israel lobby or exhilarated by the solidarity of those trying to thwart its danger not only to US interests but also to the very existence of our 'democracy'. Before that is sorted out I want to quickly share information about the past weekend's Israel lobby days in Washington DC and our attempts to bring to light the incredible stranglehold this lobby has on any efforts, including those of Pres Obama, to bring any change to US policy in the Middle East.

As you may know American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC )had its convention in DC this past weekend which included speeches by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu both at its 'gala dinner' and before a joint session of Congress as well as large scale lobbying by thousands of its members in individual congressional offices. AIPAC as you may know is considered to be at least the second biggest lobby organization in the US, which some in government describe as the best effort ' on the planet'. It writes legislation, 'vets' all candidates for congressional ( and many state) offices then directs large sums of money to preferred candidates.As it has been accused of spying several times and openly working with the Israeli government many believe it should be registered as a' foreign agent'. When even mainstream New York Times writes today that Netanyahu, in his address before Congress " received so many standing ovations that at times it appeared that the lawmakers were listening to his speech standing up" you get the idea of its effectiveness.

Hundreds of us came to DC with Move Over AIPAC, a coalition effort led by CODEPINK to send a message to Congress and to AIPAC that this lobby is dangerous as it represents extreme right wing Israel rather than the interests of the US. After our own conference on Saturday we spent the days in constant loud but peaceful and creative street theater, dialogue with AIPAC members, lobbying of our own, and peaceful disruption of Netanyahu's speehes. That both of these peaceful disruptions were met with intentional violence on the part of AIPAC members is dreadful, that no one has been charged in the assaults, despite being witnessed by our own Secret Service and police is absolutely appalling and a testiment to the impunity with which AIPAC extends its power.

Please visit the Move Over AIPAC.org website where videos, pictures and press releases, including medical updates, are posted..We will soon have a public report back in the Boston area which will also serve as a US Boat to Gaza send off so please be on the look out. There will be a prize of a weekend on a Maine island (you will need it ) for anyone who can identify all the congressfolk marching into the AIPAC money trough dinner.