How Trump Won Over Jewish Republicans Against All Odds
Sign up here to get Politics & Power delivered to your inbox every Monday.
Politics & Power will now be published every other week. Sign up...
American Jews Largely Support a Liberal Replacement for RBG
Just as the remarkable life she lived, Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing on the eve of Rosh Hashanah, sparked a mix of awe, appreciation and political controversy. And the coming days will provide much of the same: a celebration of the life of a trailblazing legal giant who served for many as the nation’s moral compass, and at the same time, a fierce partisan battle over the appropriate timing of choosing Bader Ginsburg’s successor.
Are People Tired of Middle East Peace Progress?
Remember when Donald Trump first ran for office in 2016 and promised that “we’re going to win so much, you’re going to be so sick and tired of winning”? Well, it’s a matter of anyone’s political persuasion to judge just how much America has been winning in the past four years and whether there really are people out there who are sick and tired of winning.
But to paraphrase Trump’s promise, could people be sick and tired of too much Middle East peace?
Trump Plays the God Card Against Democrats
Donald Trump has been actively drawing God into his campaign for the past few weeks. It started with the claim earlier this month that his Democratic rival, Joe Biden, a devout Catholic, is “against God,” has “no religion” and will “hurt the Bible, hurt God.”
Trump’s Promise of Quick New Iran Deal Worries Israel’s Supporters
“The bottom line is that Iran will remain a thorny issue for the next president, regardless of who wins the elections. Trump’s promise of an Iranian capitulation waiting around the corner is hard to believe, and Biden’s hope for a quick fix on the previous deal is also way more difficult to achieve than it seems, in part due to changes already happening on the ground. Iran and its nuclear ambitions are not a “first day in office” project for the next president but rather an issue for years of talks, sanctions and—perhaps—even negotiations.”
Is Singling Out Jewish Campaign Donors Anti-Semitic?
There’s a foolproof way of knowing election season is here—just wait for someone to make a Jewish money reference. The tighter the race, the more likely you are to hear something along the lines of “outside donors” or “Wall Street money,” or just the casual listing of top donors, all of whom happen to be Jewish.
Biden Faces Two Dueling Approaches on Israel
The outcome of the platform debate over Israel will give Biden a good sense of how the party views the issue and where he may want to stand in order to avoid conflict with the base.
Annexation Plans Prompt Firm Response from Top Pro-Israel Senators
“This doesn’t mean that the Jewish pro-Israel left is about to win its fight against annexation. But it does show that their voice is strong enough to sway staunch AIPAC supporters to speak out against the Israeli government’s line, and that, perhaps in a marginal way, they will make Netanyahu listen, if not to American Jews, than to pro-Israel American lawmakers.”
What Happened to the Pro-Israel Dems?
Israel, regardless of whether Engel gets to spend another term in Congress or not, is running out of hawkish Dems to build the bridge it needs to a bipartisan recognition of Israel’s importance as an ally to America. The party is shifting leftwards, while Israel is going right.
Israel Doesn’t Care What American Jews Think of Annexation
“For all the tightrope walking, the carefully formulated nuanced comments, and the impossible straddling between wishing to allow Israel to make its own decisions while providing cautionary input from abroad, American Jews and their views don’t really move the needle in Netanyahu and Gantz’s decision-making process.”
The Complex Relationship Between AIPAC and Black Americans
AIPAC is a political organization, and as such, it has been engaging with black voters, activists and lawmakers for years on a political level. The lobby has been actively seeking these engagements, reaching out to African-Americans in all stages of their political careers, from college student body presidents to state and federal lawmakers, and by featuring prominent figures in the community, such as Bakari Sellers, as key voices within AIPAC.
Where Do Race Relations Fit Into the Jewish Political Agenda?
Jewish Americans have always been reliable allies in civil rights battles and have consistently led advocacy and legislation aimed at helping minority communities and denouncing injustice and inequality. It’s no surprise that the community is once again standing up for African Americans in their struggle for justice and for reforming the way police forces deal with black Americans.
Where can the Jewish community play a part this time around?