Journal Article

Ethnic Influence and American Foreign Policy: American Jewish Leaders and President Jimmy Carter

Lazarowitz, Arlene

2010

Overview

President Jimmy Carter's loss of the Jewish vote in the 1980 election demonstrated the influence of domestic politics on foreign policy-making in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Carter's comprehensive plan for peace in the Middle East, especially his support for a Palestinian homeland, put him at odds with the leadership in the American Jewish community. The successes of the Camp David Accords could not turn this around. His loss of a substantial portion of the Jewish vote demonstrated his unwillingness to deal with ethnic politics, his failure to comprehend this politically important group and their concerns about the survival of Israel, his political miscalculations, and his faith in his own appraisal of conditions in the Middle East.

• Publisher: Purdue University Press
• Subject: American history / American Jews / Arab-Israeli conflicts / Arms sales / Beliefs, opinions and attitudes / Carter, Jimmy / Carter, Jimmy (American president) / Cold War / Diplomatic negotiations in international disputes / Domestic policy / Executive branch / Foreign policy / Government programs / International cooperation / Israel-Arab conflicts / Jewish Americans / Jewish culture / Jewish people / Jewish politics / Jewish studies / Jews, American / Land settlement / Local elections / National security / Nazi era / Nominations / Pacific settlement of international disputes / Peace negotiations / Political activity / Political campaigns / Political leadership / Political parties / Politics / Presidency / Presidential elections / Presidents / State elections / United States foreign relations / Voting / World War II