From Rothstein to AIPAC: Shady American Victories

It started in the 1919 World Series

In American history, few scandals have captivated the public like the infamous 1919 World Series, allegedly "bought" by Jewish gangster Arnold Rothstein. Rothstein, a mastermind of the underworld, was accused of orchestrating the rigging of the Chicago White Sox to lose against the Cincinnati Reds. This scheme tarnished America's favourite pastime and solidified Rothstein's reputation as a man who could manipulate outcomes for his benefit. Yet, for many in the Jewish community at the time, this could have been seen as a moment of pride: a Jew exerting control over the country's most beloved sport. While Rothstein’s actions may be considered criminal and even harmful, they were viewed by some as a demonstration of Jewish influence and cunning in a society that sought to marginalise them.

Fast forward to 2024, and we find ourselves in another arena: politics, where accusations of influence and control are being whispered, albeit with far more subtlety than a fixed baseball game. This time, it concerns the future of the American presidency and foreign policy.

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Kamala Harris: Paid to Lose?

Kamala Harris's approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict raises concerns about her alignment with progressive values and her political future. Despite her professed commitment to the rule of law and humanitarianism, her steadfast support for Israel during the war on Gaza has incited outrage among many, particularly within the Democratic Party's progressive base. Critics perceive her stance as out of touch with the growing calls for a ceasefire and humanitarian justice of the Palestinian people.

Since the conflict relating to Israel’s occupation of Gaza escalated in October 2023, numerous allegations of free speech violations in the U.S. have emerged, as institutions have cracked down on students protesting for Palestinian rights. Reports of suspensions and expulsions for participating in peaceful demonstrations have highlighted the suppression of dissent.

Since last October, many advocates of Western free speech and defenders of a free press have become increasingly disheartened by a series of actions, which they view as direct threats to Western democracy. Some of these actions include:

·Social Media Censorship: Increased censorship of pro-Palestinian content on platforms like Facebook and Instagram has led to widespread allegations of bias against free speech

Police Crackdowns: Reports of police using excessive force against protesters advocating for Palestinian rights in various U.S. cities illustrate the suppression of dissent

·Bans on Pro-Palestinian Protests: Several local governments have implemented bans on pro-Palestinian protests, framing them as a threat to public order, thereby limiting citizens’ rights to assemble

Germany's New Immigration Law: A law requiring all immigrants to acknowledge the state of Israel, raising concerns about free expression and political dissent

Harris’s backing of Israel amid these domestic and global issues suggests an unwillingness to support marginalised voices, potentially alienating progressive voters. If she continues in this direction, it could jeopardise her political future and standing within the Democratic Party.

Moreover, her unwavering support occurs during an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Since the escalation in Gaza from last October, Gaza has seen a staggering death toll, with over 30,000 confirmed civilians—many of whom are women and children—killed. While the images from Gaza have shocked the global community, the Biden administration continues to fund Israel’s military actions without hesitation.

What many American voters may overlook, and what pro-Israel lobbyists like AIPAC quietly celebrate, is the potential for a Donald Trump resurgence. By aligning Harris and the Biden administration with these attrocities and emphasising their weak ceasefire stance and mixed messages from the White House, AIPAC positions Trump as the stronger candidate for voters seeking a president capable of quelling domestic unrest and maintaining a firm foreign policy that ends U.S. involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts. In short, all evidence suggests that Harris, backed by pro-Israel donors, may be manoeuvred into a losing position, paving the way for Trump’s return.

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Trump’s Cozy Relationship with AIPAC and Israel

Donald Trump has consistently aligned himself with pro-Israel backers, notably Sheldon Adelson, a billionaire businessman and founder of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Adelson and his wife, Miriam, contributed over $200 million to Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and subsequent efforts. To say that this financial contribution significantly influences Trump's Middle East policies would be an enourmous understatement.

One of the most controversial moves of Trump’s presidency was relocating the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, fulfilling a long-sought goal for certain pro-Israel factions, including Adelson and many of Trump’s evangelical and Jewish supporters. Adelson’s advocacy for hard-line policies on Iran and Palestinian relations was evident, especially in Trump’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018.

Additionally, Adelson’s close ties with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shaped Trump’s approach to Israeli leadership. His influence extended to key administration appointments, such as Nikki Haley as U.N. Ambassador and David Friedman as U.S. Ambassador to Israel, both of whom supported expanding Israeli settlements.

Through his media outlets, Adelson helped reinforce Trump's pro-Israel narrative, promoting an agenda that aligns with Netanyahu's far-right cabinet, which aims for a 'Greater Israel.' This vision entails the displacement of Palestinians and aggressive territorial claims throughout the region.

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AIPAC’s Role in Buying the 2024 Election & Netanyahu’s Visit to Congress

AIPAC's influence on the 2024 election is raising concerns, with the organisation seemingly backing both sides of the political divide. It has contributed over $11 million to Biden and $5 million to Harris, leveraging considerable sway in return. Consequently, the Biden administration has channelled billions in military aid to Israel, despite increasing public demand for a ceasefire and a rethink of U.S. involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Biden’s brief pause on arms shipments and his calls for Israel to show restraint in Gaza were met with accusations of anti-Semitism, from both Israeli officials and pro-Israel lobbyists worldwide.

Polls show that most Americans, including independents, support a move towards diplomacy rather than continuous military assistance to Israel. Nonetheless, the Biden-Harris team continues to follow AIPAC’s staunchly pro-Israel agenda, potentially alienating key voters. Harris’s firm stance could harm her 2024 prospects, as many perceive her as prioritising AIPAC’s interests over the concerns of the American public.

Netanyahu’s visit to Congress last summer further illustrated AIPAC’s influence. His speech, demanding unwavering U.S. support for Israel’s military objectives, received a record number of standing ovations. For believers in U.S. democracy, this cringeworthy spectacle, occurring while a humanitarian crisis unfolded in Gaza, highlighted the stark disconnect between U.S. leadership and international calls for peace.

Harris’s alignment with AIPAC, repeatedly advocating for a two-state solution while simultaneously endorsing arms shipments under the justification of 'Israel’s right to defend itself,' has weakened her standing both domestically and globally. All of this plays into the hands of Netanyahu’s far-right regime, which eagerly anticipates another Trump presidency and the blank cheque he is likely to provide Israel upon his inauguration.?

AIPAC’s True Goal: A Trump Victory

While it may seem counterintuitive for Harris’s AIPAC ‘partners’ to support her on the surface while quietly rooting for Trump, their long-term goals clarify this strategy. Trump has proven to be a reliable ally to Israel, implementing policies that align with AIPAC's longstanding objectives. His willingness to escalate military involvement and endorse Netanyahu’s vision of a 'Greater Israel' makes him the preferred candidate for those advocating for aggressive Israeli expansionism.

By forcing Harris to continually defend billions in aid to Israel while ignoring calls for a ceasefire, AIPAC is ensuring her foreign policy appears both weak and disconnected from the American electorate. Combined with the precarious situation in Eastern Europe, where the Biden administration has repeatedly shown its inability to negotiate with opposing world powers, independent and undecided voters, disillusioned by U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts, are likely to flock to Trump. Not necessarily because they agree with him, but because Harris appears ineffective, unresponsive and complicit in perpetuating endless, costly wars.

In this scenario, AIPAC has masterfully set the stage for a Trump victory, ensuring that U.S. policy under his administration will continue to favour Israel’s most hawkish ambitions. By pulling the strings behind the scenes, much like Rothstein allegedly did with the 1919 World Series, AIPAC is tilting the scales in favour of the candidate most likely to pursue its long-term vision for Israel’s dominance and expansion in the region. And Trump has made it abundantly clear that he’s willing to be their man.

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Reclaiming American Democracy

As someone with clients, friends, and family in the U.S., I have observed that, in recent months, most American voters have become increasingly preoccupied with domestic issues and policy debates that often resemble a circus of gossip more than serious discourse. Although the number of voters prioritising foreign policy in their decision-making is growing, it remains overshadowed by domestic concerns. Should Kamala Harris's presidency falter and lead to a Trump victory, it would be a grave mistake for her supporters to blame the American electorate. Instead, the focus should be on the political system that has allowed lobbyists to dictate terms and ultimately secure Trump’s victory.

If AIPAC is indeed manipulating the electoral process, the very foundation of American democracy is at risk. The solution lies in re-engineering the system that permits lobbyists and special interests to wield disproportionate influence. Reforms must include limiting campaign contributions from lobbyists, enforcing transparency in political donations, and introducing public funding for campaigns. Additionally, collaborating with European nations that effectively employ multi-party systems could offer valuable insights for dismantling the entrenched two-party model. This shift would not only empower smaller, more agile parties to emerge but also foster alliances that drive meaningful change among parties with similar interests.?

Moreover, restructuring the voting system through reforms such as ranked-choice voting could help mitigate the polarising effects of the two-party system, enabling politicians to respond to the public rather than to the highest bidders. A multi-party framework would allow for a greater representation of diverse voices and cultivate a political environment where coalition-building becomes essential. Only by implementing these reforms can the U.S. reclaim its democracy, ensuring that politicians answer to the people, not to lobbyists and special interest groups.?

Much like Rothstein's manipulation of baseball, AIPAC's influence leaves an indelible mark on American democracy and the upcoming 2024 election. However, the stakes are considerably higher this time. It is not merely a game; it concerns the very future of democracy itself. The system is broken and will remain so until Americans recognise that change is essential. Only through systemic reform can they ensure their voices are heard and that their political destiny is shaped by the populace, not by powerful lobbies.

The views expressed in this article are solely my own, and I used AI assistance to help craft the writing and enhance its clarity.