Israel again Stakes Out a Controversial Presence in America’s Domestic Politics

Once again it appears that Israel will be a player – or at least an issue – in domestic American politics. Despite considerable remorse over the high off-shore partisan profile the Jewish state assumed during the Iranian nuclear deal debate and widely-held second-thoughts about the wisdom of such visible positioning, Israel is having another Corleone-esque moment as it is “sucked back” into midterm elections. The pro-forma sparring over Israel’s affections mushroomed in the shadow of punditry and polling that drew a quantitative distinction between support by the Republicans and Democrats. The suggested new reality was disquieting for its theoretical stark break from generations of bipartisan support. But then came the nightmare scenario in the form of Democratic candidates clearly drawing support commensurate with his/her sharp criticisms of Israel that previously had no place in electoral rhetoric. The unthinkable ignited flames of fear on the pro-Israel world when long-time New York Congressman Joe Crowley, an undeniable “friend of Israel” (to use lobby-speak) with impeccable bona fides was knocked-off in what was supposed to have been a pro-forma primary against an insignificant political wannabe. That wannabe is now considered a shoe-in to succeed Crowley in Congress. But to those for whom Israel is a deciding matter, the inability to create a scenario in which blowback against Israel was not a significant element of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez‘s victory is causing politically-induced sleep apnea from the US to the Middle East. The “firsts” continue as the anti-Israel rhetoric from ostensibly soon-to-be-Congressmen/women continue to take shots at Israel. Rashida Tlaib in Michigan received a rare now – but probably frequent shortly – rebuke from the Jewish Democratic Council of America after she called for reducing American support for Israel, alleging it to be a place where “justice is solely based on your ethnicity.” Israel’s American advocates who know that Tlaib and Ocasio-Cortez are not alone and are able to sleep are presumably dreaming of the Jewish state’s bipartisan past.