How powerful is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)? The new documentary film THE LOBBY is a balanced examination of this controversial subject.

Considering the pro-Israeli attitude of every recent U.S. administration, it is often suggested that the Jewish lobby dictates Washington's Middle East policy. AIPAC does make and break the careers of politicians, like the NRA and the former Christian Coalition. But does this organization really have a major influence on U.S. foreign policy?

In THE LOBBY people from varying backgrounds, with diverse political attitudes give their opinion on this matter. Some of those interviewed include:

- Steven Grossman - former president of AIPAC

- Malcolm Hoenlein - Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations representative

- Denise Majette - Georgia congresswoman

- J.J. Goldberg - Jewish weekly Forward editor

- Janet McMahon - Washington Report editor

- Noam Chomsky - MIT professor

The opinions of these and the other interviewees form a rounded, rational and unemotional conversation about an often-avoided subject.

"RECOMMENDED. THE LOBBY provides an evaluation of one of the more successful interest groups in American politics, and also addresses the foreign policy influence of the broader Jewish community. In addition, the film demonstrates the importance of money within the U.S. political process... Several interviewees compare the AIPAC with the National Rifle Association, placing the film's critique in the broader context of the power and influence exerted by single-issue interest groups. THE LOBBY is a balanced critique of the U.S.'s pro-Israeli stance, and a useful in-class discussion tool."—Educational Media Reviews Online