The Enduring Utility of Manufactured Consent
THE ACTORS: Who benefits from this PR event? President Joe Biden: Seeks to project bipartisan strength on foreign policy, particularly concerning the US-Israel relationship, ahead of a contentious election. This allows him to appease a powerful domestic lobbying bloc. Benjamin Netanyahu: Publicly gains significant legitimacy on the world stage, offsetting international isolation and ongoing
domestic legal and political challenges. It supports his narrative of indispensable leadership. The Democratic Party Establishment: Reinforces its traditional pro-Israel stance, minimizing potential defections from centrist and conservative donors and voters who prioritize this alliance. THE FUNDING: What sustains this relationship? The United States provides Israel with $3.8 billion annually in
military aid , guaranteed through a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2016 and renewed (Congressional Record, 2016). This makes Israel the largest cumulative recipient of US foreign aid since World War II. AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) reported spending $15.8 million on lobbying in 2022 (OpenSecrets, 2022), directly influencing congressional support for continued aid
and political alignment. Related Super PACs further amplify this spending. THE INCENTIVES: What do they gain from this narrative? For the US Administration: Stability in a critical strategic region, counterbalancing Iranian influence, and maintaining leverage in Middle Eastern diplomacy. The banquet signals unwavering support despite public disapproval of Netanyahu's policies. For Netanyahu's