Israel Lobby in Washington Finds Tough Going on Syria

America’s pro-Israel lobby is finding it difficult to overcome widespread opposition in Congress to the use of force against Syria.

The groups are considered to be some of the most influential lobbyists on Capitol Hill, but officials with several of the pro-Israel groups say they are running into rare resistance from lawmakers, even among staunch Israel supporters. Pressure rises as Congress returns Monday from a holiday recess.

The Obama administration has sought and won support for the vote to punish Syria for using chemical weapons from most of the major pro-Israel groups that traditionally have been most effective in promoting legislation to enhance Israel’s security.

Among those that have released public statements and made private calls to lawmakers to urge them to vote “yes” are The American-Israeli Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, the Anti-Defamation League and the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

“There is no question that it is very challenging,” said an official from one, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak publicly on behalf of the organization.

The groups argue that inaction will undermine American credibility in limiting the development and use of weapons of mass destruction with a direct impact on Israel’s security, particularly as it relates to Iran and its nuclear program.

Lobbyists also acknowledge that a U.S. military strike could risk Israel becoming a retaliatory target of Syrian-backed Hizbullah or other groups acting on Assad’s behalf. But they say that risk is smaller than the risk of letting Assad go unpunished.

“This critical decision comes at a time when Iran is racing toward obtaining nuclear capability,” AIPAC said in its statement. “Failure to approve this resolution would weaken our country’s credibility to prevent the use and proliferation of unconventional weapons and thereby greatly endanger our country’s security and interests and those of our regional allies.”

Secretary of State John Kerry has invoked the phrase “never again,” a direct reference to international vows to prevent a repeat of the Holocaust, and even compared Assad to Adolf Hitler, something that even the pro-Israel groups backing the administration have avoided.

They said they will continue to lobby — AIPAC is bringing some 250 pro-Israel activists to Washington in the coming days to push for the authorization — but they have also told the White House that only a powerful and direct personal appeal from Obama himself is likely to have an impact.

This article appeared in print on page 6 of the September 10th, 2013 edition of Hamodia.