As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to speak to the U.S. Congress on Wednesday afternoon, my mind was flooded with so many thoughts about the changing relationship between the United States and Israel. It was not long ago when Israel enjoyed bi-partisan support, when backing Israel was considered the American thing to do. Today, that bi—partisan support is unraveling. Netanyahu’s speech comes at a time of intense political divide in our country with Israel now being identified as a partisan issue.
Truth is – both parties have major problems when it comes to their relationship with Israel. In their quest to define themselves as Israel’s champions, Republicans have been unwilling to critique Netanyahu and his flawed policies. They have empowered Netanyahu’s right-wing government, been unwilling to recognize America’s important role to play in the broader region and have unfairly demonized pro-Israel Democrats. Democrats, in their desire to unify their party, have too often ignored a growing anti-Israel movement within their party that threatens Jewish participation in progressive coalitions. In their desire to appeal to certain voting blocs, Democrats have been unwilling to answer back Republican attacks with affirmative pro-Israel rhetoric.
Unfortunately, Netanyahu’s speech did little to bridge our political divide. Knowing full well the context of his visit, Netanyahu further divided the country—offering politicians fodder for contentious political rhetoric. Candidates and pundits ended up spending more time discussing who was or wasn’t there than they did the important issues raised by the speech such as a hostage deal (which many Israelis feel Netanyahu continues to delay).
Israel needs broad bi-partisan support in its quest to bring home the hostages, to eradicate Hamas and to deal with the threats presented by the Iranian regime and its proxies. Israel needs Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals, Independents, and non-party affiliates to come together and advance the moral cause of supporting the Jewish state. Importantly, Israel also needs supportive critique – it is not antisemitic or anti-Israel for a politicians to challenge Israeli policies and governments.
We do Israel a great disservice by turning it into a partisan issue – by declaring that one party supports the Jewish state and the other party does not. This only furthers to isolate Israel and make her vulnerable.
Both political parties in this country have significant challenges when it comes to their relationship with Israel – challenges which we must help them to overcome.