THE ISRAELIAN LOBBY

Discussing the Israel lobby often leads to accusations of antisemitism despite its undeniable existence for over a century. Israeli historian Ilan Pappé joins Aaron Bastani to explore his new book, which delves into the roots of Zionism and the resistance against it in the 19th and 20th centuries. They discuss key figures and groups like Harold Wilson, Nye Bevan, AIPAC, Labour Friends of Israel, and the Christian origins of Zionism.

ISRAEL LOBBY

WHY IT’S DANGEROUS AND HOW IT SHIFTS THE STORY

Alright, let’s get real for a second. Lobbying is one of the most dangerous things in the world, and most people don’t even realize it. It’s when big companies, rich people, or special interest groups (like AIPAC in the U.S.) pay to influence politicians. Sounds bad, right? Because it is. It lets money talk; when that happens, the people with less money get left behind. Let me break it down for you about the Israel Lobby.

WHAT’S REALLY GOING ON?

Lobbying is supposed to give different groups a say in the government, but here’s the problem: when big corporations have all the money, they end up controlling the conversation. Take the U.S., for example—AIPAC is a huge pro-Israel lobbying group, and because they have tons of money, they can push U.S. policies to support Israel, even if it’s not what the general public wants. Money talks, and the rich get what they want, leaving everyday people with no voice.

HOW MEDIA PLAYS ALONG

It’s not just about politics—media is where these narratives really get shaped. Like in Denmark, we have Berlingske Media, owned by DPG Media Group. The people running it, like Anders Krab-Johansen and Emmanuel Van Thillo, have major influence over what we see and hear. They can decide how global issues are covered, like whether Israel’s actions are seen as justified or criticized. When big money controls the media, the story changes. It’s all about keeping the people with power happy.

This doesn’t just happen in Denmark—it’s happening everywhere. In the U.S., media outlets are influenced by lobbyists and corporations too. Think about it: if a company like Big Oil or Big Pharma is funding a news station, do you really think that news station will be honest about climate change or healthcare? No way. They’ll twist the story to make the companies look good, even when they’re harming the planet or ripping people off.

HOW MONEY CONTROLS EVERYTHING

When you look closely, you’ll see how money controls everything. Companies like Juice Financial, which operates in places like Israel and the U.S., use their power to make sure laws and regulations work in their favor. This is the same way AIPAC pushes its agenda in the U.S., by influencing politicians with money. The result? Policies that help the rich and powerful, and everyone else just gets left out.

Look at what’s happening in America—corporations and rich interest groups basically own the government. They pay off politicians to make sure things like healthcare and climate change laws benefit them, even when it screws over regular people. And guess who suffers? Not the rich CEOs or lobbyists. It’s the working-class people who struggle to pay medical bills or deal with the effects of climate change.

WHY IS THE ISRAEL LOBBY BAD FOR US

The worst part is, this system hurts all of us. When lobbyists and corporations control the government and the media, democracy suffers. Instead of listening to what the majority of people want, they listen to the ones who have the most money. It’s unfair and corrupt, and it’s happening every day.

In Denmark, you see it when media like Berlingske controls how issues like Israel are presented. In the U.S., you see it when groups like AIPAC or Big Pharma steer the conversation away from what really matters. And at the end of the day, it’s regular people—like us—who pay the price for these lies and manipulations, through the Israel Lobby.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO

If we want things to change, we need transparency. We need to know who is funding what, and why certain stories get told the way they do. Governments and media should work for everyone, not just the rich and powerful. But right now, money is drowning out the voices of regular people, and it’s gotta stop.

We have to be aware of who’s really pulling the strings behind the scenes. Only then can we start to reclaim our future and make sure that the system actually works for all of us—not just for the ones with the deepest pockets.

WHY IS BERLINGSKE MEDIA SILENT ON GENOCIDE?

Berlingske Media, one of Denmark’s largest news outlets, has been suspiciously quiet about critical issues like the genocide in Palestine. This silence raises questions about whether their financial and political ties influence their coverage, making them part of the larger problem of media manipulation. The untold Story.