Democrats Are Deeply Divided Over Israel as Conflict Intensifies

Democrats Are Deeply Divided Over Israel as Conflict Intensifies

This is just the latest issue dividing the Democratic Party and exposing the disturbing radicalization of its members.

May 17, 2021
Democrats Are Deeply Divided Over Israel as Conflict Intensifies

House and Senate Democrats are publicly attacking Israel and pressuring Joe Biden to take a firmer stance against the Jewish state as Hamas rockets continue to target their citizens.

The New York Times: “On Thursday, a group of leading progressive members of Congress offered a rare break from party unity, giving fiery speeches on the House floor that accused Mr. Biden of ignoring the plight of Palestinians and ‘taking the side of the occupation.’”

Wall Street Journal: “‘The United States needs to take responsibility for the violence that we are supporting,’ Ms. Ocasio-Cortez told The Wall Street Journal on Friday. ‘We can’t advance this idea that we’re some neutral party in this situation if our actions are consistently targeting Palestinians.’”

Wall Street Journal: “In a tearful speech on the House floor, Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.), the only Palestinian-American in Congress, also said the U.S. government was turning a blind eye to abuses of Palestinians.

“‘Palestinians aren’t going anywhere, no matter how much money you send to Israel’s apartheid government,’ she said.”

Wall Street Journal: “More than two-dozen House Democrats sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier this week calling on him to use diplomatic pressure to prevent the displacement of Palestinians from East Jerusalem.”

The growing criticism from the far left comes in sharp contrast with several of their Democrat colleagues, including President Biden who said he opposed leveraging U.S. aid against Israel during the Democratic presidential primary.

Wall Street Journal: “‘And we, as Americans, and me—as an American and a Jew—must stand for what is right,’ said Rep. Elaine Luria (D., Va.). ‘Must declare: That Israel has a right to exist. That Israel has the inherent right to defend itself.’”

The New York Times: “‘Please don’t be fooled by false choices: Israel or Hamas,’ Representative Ted Deutch, a Democrat from Florida, said in a floor speech. ‘If I am asked to choose between a terrorist organization and our democratic ally, I will stand with Israel.’”

Fox News: “Look, I have been on record from very early on opposed to the settlements, and I think it’s a mistake, and President Netanyahu knows my position,’ [President Biden] said during the primary. ‘But the idea that we would draw military assistance from Israel on the condition that they change a specific policy I find to be absolutely outrageous.’”

Bottom line: A growing number of House and Senate Democrats are attacking Israel for defending itself against deadly terrorist attacks. This is just the latest issue dividing the Democratic Party and exposing the disturbing radicalization of its members.