US-based advocates want Israeli weapons lobbyist to register as foreign agent

A human rights group is urging the US Department of Justice to follow up on their complaint over what they see as the failure of an Israeli lobbyist for weapons and technology companies to register as a foreign agent.

Adam Emanuel, who has worked for more than 20 years as a lobbyist for Israeli weapons manufacturers and technology companies, should be registered as a foreign agent, according to a complaint by the group Democracy in the Arab World Now.

They point to his work on behalf of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), an Israeli state-owned weapons manufacturer.

"Despite the well-documented human rights abuses committed by successive Israeli governments using IAI weapons, Mr Emanuel has misled American officials by failing to disclose the true nature of the interests he represents," said Adam Shapiro, director of Israel-Palestine advocacy at DAWN, in a public statement. 

"Mr Emanuel has avoided registering as a foreign agent for over 20 years, despite promoting Israel's political interests to Congress, including securing taxpayer funds for sending missiles to Israel."

Emanuel, registered as a lobbyist for Israel Aerospace Industries, has publicly acknowledged lobbying for the Arrow Missile System, manufactured by IAI in Israel. DAWN argues that as per usual practice when advancing the interests of a foreign government, it should be a Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA)-registered activity.

They say they are concerned about the lack of enforcement and regulation by Congress, which becomes complicated when it is common for members of Congress and their staff to go on to work as lobbyists in these industries. The group's website features a "lobbyist hall of shame" for those they have determined lack professional accountability.

In addition to Emanuel not registering as a foreign agent, DAWN argues that the nature of his work, involving weapons, underlines the importance of registering.

"DAWN is uncovering a pattern whereby Israeli companies owned or controlled by the Israeli government and involved with gross violations of human rights are being represented in the United States by lobbyists who not only financially benefit and contribute to the abuses by securing military support for Israel, but also fail to meet legal registration and transparency standards," Shapiro said.