Walt and Mearsheimer go to Israel

Posted By Carolyn O'Hara Friday, June 13, 2008 - 3:00 PM Share

The authors of the controversial book on the influence of the Israel lobby on U.S. foreign policy have made their first trip to Israel since the book was published. A few hundred students and faculty at Hebrew University turned out to see Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer argue their case. The result? A lively and largely cordial debate. Their visit had its fair share of detractors, but a threatened boycott failed to materialize. In fact, this is about as heated as it got:

International relations student Liad Gilhar, 25, accused the professors of distorting facts and providing fodder for anti-Semites.

"You need to choose your words carefully," Gilhar said.

Walt shot back: "With all due respect, I don't think it is my words that harm Israel, but rather Israel's actions."

A professor criticized the authors for failing to condemn Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has called for Israel to be wiped off the map. "I don't think he is inciting to genocide," Walt responded.

EXPLORE:MIDDLE EAST, ISRAEL/PALESTINE, U.S. FOREIGN POLICY

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June 15, 2008

Comparison

The Israeli reception of the Mearsheimer and Walt really point out how simplistic and bombastic the US is. Many views of their work are possible but the book provides an important opportunity to examine our position in the Middle East.

Yet the overpaid professionals in the US use the book to sling insults and prance out their on-camera toughness. The fact that the author’s arrival did not trigger spasms of media anger and disgust is a black eye to the US media. Unfortunately, they sport so many that they probably won't notice.

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