Democrats

A mural depicting President Donald Trump kissing an Israeli army watchtower is seen on the separation barrier in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, August 4, 2017. (Flash90)

Israel’s one-state reality is sowing chaos in American politics

Until U.S. lawmakers and major Jewish organizations adjust to the current one-state reality, the acrimony that has marked the last several years under Netanyahu and Trump will only intensify. For decades, the two-state solution has been the central pillar of the bipartisan pro-Israel consensus in Washington. Since the signing of the Oslo Accords, every single U.S. administration has been…

By Joshua Leifer August 26, 2019

Will Israel’s treatment of Omar and Tlaib finally wake Democrats up?

Now that Israel has banned entry to Democratic Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, will Democrats affirm the right to boycott and hold Israel’s feet to the fire? Five takeaways. 1. Don’t let the headlines fool you: neither Ilhan Omar nor Rashida Tlaib had any intention of visiting Israel when they announced their trip to the region.…

By Haggai Matar August 15, 2019

The capitol building of the United States of America located in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Wikipedia Commons)

PODCAST: How BDS became such a big deal in American politics

Republicans are trying to criminalize boycotts of Israel, part of a broad push to delegitimize any criticism or pressure on Israel. By not unconditionally defending the right to boycott anything or anyone, Democrats are falling into a dangerous trap, Lara Friedman says on The +972 Podcast. Listen here: iTunes/Apple Podcasts | Google Play | Spotify The United States’ approach to…

By +972 Magazine August 2, 2019

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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. (Andrew Cline / Shutterstock.com)

On Israel/Palestine, Democrats and GOP both veer off course

Both parties’ platforms on Israel/Palestine are bad policy. By adopting a Netanyahu-like approach to the conflict, the GOP will only hasten Israel’s rightward drift. Democrats claim to support independence and dignity for Palestinians, but refuse to name the occupation. By James J. Zogby To understand why the United States fails so miserably in efforts to…

By +972 Magazine July 25, 2016

U.S. President Barak Obama meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington (White House photo)

Obama, Netanyahu and the Palestinian conflict: What’s next?

Something indeed changed in the Israel-U.S. relationship, the question is what actions will the U.S. take and how Netanyahu reacts — from the Security Council to Gaza. I just got back from the annual J Street conference. The atmosphere was very different from the 2013 conference. Back then it was all about the Kerry mission.…

By Noam Sheizaf March 31, 2015

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Photo: Haim Zach/GPO)

The true colors of Netanyahu’s audience

Protests during Netanyahu’s speech on Tuesday will make it clear that he doesn’t speak for all Jews, but rather for a dangerous alliance between extremist elements in Israel and the United States. By Avital Burg Thousands of bikers, wearing leather jackets decorated with skull-shaped U.S. flags, eagles and guns, will ride tomorrow to Capitol Hill in…

By +972 Magazine March 2, 2015

PM Netanyahu's addresses a joint session of the U.S. Congress, May 24, 2011 (Photo: GPO)

Why Democrats must stand up to Netanyahu

With more and more people on both sides of the aisle pushing back against Netanyahu’s planned speech, the Obama administration — through congressional Democrats — has an opportunity to reinforce its Iran policy without any pushback from the Israel Lobby. The pushback against Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s scheduled address to a joint session of Congress…

By Mairav Zonszein February 7, 2015

President Barack Obama at the AIPAC Policy Conference 2011. (photo: AIPAC)

It’s not about Israel, stupid

The American Jewish allegiance to the Democratic Party is not as strong as it once was, nor as invulnerable as it may appear in the wake of Obama’s victory. Republicans can undermine it, but only if they revamp their party and realize that Israel is not the only issue that American Jews care about. By…

By +972 Magazine November 9, 2012

Obama and Netanyahu in the White House (Photo: The White House, Flickr)

Obama reaffirms support to Israel, most “important” US ally

Obama-the-candidate is back, and so, too, is the Israel lovefest. Speaking to “Jewish donors” in Manhattan on Wednesday amid a house call at the home of Jack Rosen, the president of the American Jewish Congress, President Obama reassured wary Jewish Americans that he’s the best friend Israel’s got. “….[T]his administration has done more for the…

By Roee Ruttenberg November 30, 2011