Parallel to the military war led by the Israeli occupation army in Gaza since October 7, 2023, which has resulted in over 150,000 casualties, including martyrs, wounded, and missing individuals, the occupation state, through its agents and supporters abroad, is waging a covert war far from traditional military tools. This shadow war involves economic and financial strategies, which fall under the umbrella of "soft diplomacy" that Israel has long used to serve its extermination project in Palestine.
As usual during every confrontation with Palestinians, Israeli diplomacy has been active in granting the government and army international legitimacy and cover to justify its extermination project against Palestinians. On the other hand, this diplomacy acts as a shield against boycott campaigns and mobilizes financial funding to cover military operations.
Behind these campaigns are well-known Israeli government institutions such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the office of President Isaac Herzog. Additionally, there is a hidden role led by international economic entities headed by Jews, which coordinate with centers of power and decision-making in the countries they operate in, providing economic and political support to serve the occupation government’s project.
Economic Influence Beyond Borders
Jews abroad represent a demographic no less influential or significant than those residing in the occupation state. According to the latest estimate by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics, the Jewish diaspora numbers approximately 8.6 million, with 6.3 million in the United States and about 2 million in Europe and Russia.
Jewish Influence on the U.S. Economy
Although Jews represent only 2.4% of the U.S. population, their representation in various economic sectors, particularly in banks and government departments, is disproportionately high. This has made them a group that plays a significant role in shaping U.S. foreign policies.
This influence stems from several factors, the most notable being high income and expenditure levels. Jewish households in the U.S., for example, have an average annual income exceeding $100,000 for half of their families—double the average income of American households.
Additionally, 48% of Jewish individuals work in for-profit companies, 21% are self-employed, 16% work in non-profit organizations, and 13% work in government roles.
At the forefront of these economic institutions is AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee), described as the crown jewel of Jewish organizations abroad. AIPAC acts as a mediator between American elites, policymakers, and the Jewish community. It plays a pivotal role in fundraising for U.S. election campaigns in Congress, the Senate, and even presidential elections. This influence extends to allocating government positions and shaping foreign policies to benefit the occupation state.
The Economic Role of Jews in the U.S.
Israeli companies have successfully penetrated the U.S. economy. Since 2004, 40 Israeli companies have invested in Fairfax County, Virginia, and since 2016, more than 60 Israeli companies have been listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange in New York. Many prominent companies in the United States were founded by Jews, spanning industries such as food and beverages, including Sabra, Dunkin’ Donuts, Häagen-Dazs, and Ben & Jerry’s, as well as technology giants like Facebook, Google, Oracle, and other major corporations.
Additionally, official data from the Office of the United States Trade Representative indicates that the total exchange of goods and services between the two nations exceeded $50 billion in 2022. U.S. exports amounted to $20 billion, while imports reached $30.6 billion, leaving the U.S. with a trade deficit of $10.7 billion in goods and services with the Israeli occupation state.
U.S. companies exported $14.2 billion worth of goods and $5.8 billion worth of services to Israel. Key exports included machinery, mechanical devices, glass, metals, and chemicals. American service exports to Israel focused primarily on transportation, travel, and financial services.
Conversely, Israeli companies exported $21.4 billion worth of goods to the United States, primarily fertilizers, precious stones, electronics, and medical products, along with $9.2 billion worth of services in the same year. Israeli foreign direct investment (FDI) in the U.S. market totaled $10.6 billion in 2022, mainly in real estate, hedge funds, and manufacturing.
American FDI in Israel reached $42.5 billion in 2022, with investments directed towards manufacturing, information technology, professional services, science, and technology.
Since the signing of the Free Trade Agreement in 1985, the United States has become Israel’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods and services growing eightfold. To facilitate economic cooperation, the Joint Economic Development Group (JEDG) meets annually to discuss economic partnership and potential growth areas.
The U.S. and Israel also collaborate through several mechanisms, including the Binational Science Foundation, the Binational Agricultural Research and Development Foundation, the Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation, and the U.S.-Israel Education Foundation. In July 2024, the two nations held a high-level strategic dialogue on technology to foster partnerships in critical and emerging technologies to address global challenges.
Jewish Influence on the European Economy
In Europe, the influence of Jews on the economy is evident, though less pronounced than their impact on the U.S. economy. Nevertheless, over 912 Israeli companies operate in the European Union, with 38% of Israeli startups focusing on information technology, followed by the internet sector at approximately 19%. The remaining companies belong to other sectors, with shares ranging from 9% to 11%, except for semiconductors, which account for only 1% of the market.
The sales and marketing sector represents one of the most prominent sectors in which Jews in Europe are active, accounting for 50%, while 15% is directed toward research and development, 10% to operations, and 5% in industrial sectors.
Jewish companies dominate well-known sectors such as weapons and pharmaceuticals, including entities like the "REA Group" in insurance, the "Northern Railway Company," the investment company, and the global bank "Rothschild & Co.," as well as ownership of the real estate company "Cogifrance."
In conclusion, the clear and overt bias of the United States and European countries stems from the control exerted by the Jewish lobby over their economies. The economic infiltration of Jewish elites in these societies has allowed them to influence political decisions, as particularly evident in the unwavering support the Israeli occupation state received from the U.S. and European nations during its extermination war against Gaza since October 7, 2023.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Read this Article in Arabic
