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

Abstract

Bilateral relations between states are conducted on two levels, official and unofficial. Official relations are conducted between the leaders of two states or their representatives through the formal channels of diplomacy. Concurrently, unofficial relations may be carried out through a multitude of interactions between non-governmental organizations, and people to people contacts through such channels as tourism, trade, joint economic enterprises, and cultural exchange. Ethnic citizen groups with transnational links to their country of origin or country of ethnic affinity may also play an informal role in promoting relations between that state and their government. Such groups may act in a domestic context to influence their government on a policy decision, diplomatic support, foreign aid, and armaments or trade policy. In this context, they would participate as a domestic interest group in a foreign policy 'issue network', that is a network of interested parties and professionals who seek to influence the formulation of foreign policy.2 Irish, Greek and Jewish Americans among others have been active in lobbying on behalf of their country of origin in order to influence American foreign policy.3 Secondly, an ethnic group may act as a transnational actor that may interact with a foreign government (the ethnic state) or its representatives across national boundaries in order to influence policy. Acting in an unofficial diplomatic role, the transnational ethnic actor may prepare the groundwork for official interactions, and contribute to their success when matters are taken up in normal diplomatic channels.