Transnational actors in a time crisis: The involvement of American Jews in Israel-United States relations, 1956-57

Relations between the United States and Israel during the Suez crisis were carried on two levels: official and unofficial. Official relations were conducted between their leaders, foreign offices and diplomatic representatives. Concurrently, unofficial relations were carried on by non-governmental actors, the foremost among them being informed American Jews, both organization leaders and prominent private individuals who had influence or were thought to have influence with both governments. In effect, American Jews filled a dual role. First and foremost they were participants in a pro-Israel domestic interest group interested in promoting good relations between the United States and Israel. Second, they also served as transnational actors, interacting directly with official representatives of Israel and with policy makers of their own government. American Jews were employed by each government to convey messages and assurances to the other which were better left to unofficial channels. This study discusses the informal transnational involvement of American Jews in relations between the United States and Israel during the Suez crisis, 1956-57. It will focus on examples of two main channels of interaction: the activities of the leadership of one Jewish organization - the American Jewish Committee (AJC) - in relations between the two states and the enlistment of influential private individuals to mediate the tensions between the two states. It is not the intent of this study to review all the events and negotiations during this period but rather to focus on examples of the complex transnational role of American Jews in Israel-American relations during this period.