Jack Salzman, Cornel West Struggles in the Promised

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this assumption and therefore the solidity of continued Black support for assistance
to Israel.
First, international affairs, which traditionally ranked low on the public agenda
of African Americans, are beginning to rise on the community's list of priorities.
A study commissioned by the National Research Council found that Blacks
now seek "to influence U.S. policy on Africa in much the same way that Jews have
sought to influence policy toward Israel." 38 As concern grows among Black political
leadership, particularly on policy toward Africa, actions may be advocated
that would compete with Israel for priority attention or resources.
Second, as a result of legal action and rising political consciousness, the number
of Blacks in Congress has grown substantially. The Caucus, as a result of its
numerical strength and clear agenda, will likely be more assertive in its relations
with other communities, demanding, for example, more equal allocation of
resources in foreign assistance. 39
Third, the amount of money available for foreign aid is shrinking. Particularly
since the Republican takeover of Congress in the 1994 elections, two trends have
threatened foreign assistance: the drive to cut the budget generally and a growing
isolationism. Advocates for Israel and Africa may therefore find themselves
competing for increasingly scarce resources.
The effect of these three trends on Black Congressional support for Israel cannot
be predicted now. It is possible that in an era of shrinking foreign policy
resources, African American and Jewish members of Congress will unite to protect
international assistance dollars so that their primary areas of interest will continue
to draw aid. Conversely, it is conceivable that shrinking dollars will result
in tension due to competition for assistance that could go in substantial amounts
either to Africa or to the Middle East, but not to both regions. Either outcome
could draw on trends now occurring in relations between the two communities.
A coalition for foreign aid could grow out of clear majority Black support for
Israel evident in opinion surveys, as well as a consistent tradition of pro-Israel voting
by the Black Congressional Caucus and support for African assistance by
Jewish members of Congress. Competition for resources could stem from relative
Black indifference to Israel shown in the same surveys, as well a history of hostility
toward Israel and Jewish interests more generally expressed by visible African
Americans in the political and academic arenas and a growing interest in promoting
the interests of Africa. The next phase of African American opinion and
action on Israel is likely to be as complex as their history.
Notes
1. Cynthia Ozick, "Afterword (1993)", in Paul Herman, ed., Blacks and Jews:
Alliances and Arguments (New York, 1994), p. 72.