It’s obvious that Nadav Tamir, executive director of J Street-Israel, hasn’t checked in lately with the US Democratic Party to see the great shift in their move against Israel and Jews, because, if he did, he might not have characterized them as “our true friends in the US” in a Jerusalem Post article (September 25).
Even before the tragic events of October 7, 2023, the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, better known as “The Squad,” was already trash-talking Israel, as they played to their growing Muslim constituencies who supported that position and rewarded them with their votes.
Once the massacre happened, things took a turn against Israel and Jews, simply by their ethnic association. Jews were cast as oppressors, white supremacists, and those who victimized people of color – a definition that was strategically broadened to include Palestinians.
Although it’s true that all Democrats didn’t express those sentiments, we also didn’t hear a loud outcry from any in that party who may have been offended and disagreed with the malicious accusations. That’s when innocent Jewish students on American campuses and everyday Jews who felt marginalized and threatened by the angry voices in the party, probably no longer saw the Democrats as their true friends.
Who could blame them? Because when your most loyal constituents are being falsely maligned, it’s definitely not the time to remain silent. The problem is that as hostility grows, it tends to silence others who are intimidated to go against the tide and speak out. Even prominent Jewish Democrats failed to take a stand.
Voices from the Democratic Party
Did we hear anything from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemning the constant attacks and protests by Palestinian agitators, who partnered with woke ideologues? Where were New York Congressmen Jerry Nadler and Dan Goldman? Why did Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro only speak out when his home was targeted in an arson attack?
Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman seemed to be the only loud voice to bravely condemn those attacking Israel’s right to defend herself, dispelling the ridiculous claims of genocide being thrown around. But that merely earned him scorn from his fellow party members, who started to cast doubt on his fitness to hold office.
Absurdly, J Street’s Tamir cites the growing polarization of the two political parties that has led to violent acts, but somehow links it all to US President Donald Trump, whom he claims is seeking retribution, while failing to explain the bizarre connection.
Making the assertion that “many MAGA supporters see Jews as foreign interlopers,” Tamir offers no specific cases to back his claim – only a broad-brush accusation that, as usual, works to smear all Republicans. Isn’t that fueling the polarization, over which he expresses concern?
Jewish political divisions
Apparently, Tamir is under the false impression that no Jews are Republicans. For him, there is only the “far Right,” who comprise that party, and they, most likely, to him are white supremacists who hail from the South.
Tamir has conveniently missed a significant migration of Jews who have left the Democratic Party over the past few years. They feel unwelcome and ostracized due to the inflammatory rhetoric of the woke and progressive wing, which is now being joined by a growing anti-Israel constituency.
It’s unfortunate that Tamir is unwilling to confront the truth of what has happened in the party that he is so quick to defend and even advocate as being our truest friends. In that effort, he cites Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and political strategist Steve Bannon, both of whom few Republicans would defend as being mainstream or representing the majority of Republican views.
When you are as partisan as J Street affiliates, those work as two stellar examples when trying to point the finger at the other side for fomenting violence. Who cares if it’s disingenuous, as long as it’s effective.
It’s funny that Tamir speaks about the time when both parties supported Israel. That is still true for the vast majority of the Republican Party, but not so for a growing number of sectors within the Democratic Party. Why does he fail to address those individuals who are doing so much damage to their cause – not to mention the Jewish political figures who may aspire to run for high positions?
As things are now progressing, what are the chances that Rahm Emanuel, J.B. Pritzker, Josh Shapiro, or any other Jews in the Democratic Party will be able to clinch the nomination of their peers, who may not have turned against them but will, no doubt, be reluctant to go down as supporting a Jew for office?
By the way, Liz Cheney wasn’t pushed out of the Republican Party, as Tamir claims. She willingly joined forces with the party that has championed open borders, the targeting of ICE law enforcers, and support a Marxist mayoral candidate who advocates closing jails and minimal police intervention to stop crime. It was her choice.
Those ill-fated ideologies do not serve Americans well, and when anti-Israel sentiment is added to the list, Cheney has chosen to side with the radicals in the party who are giving all the others a bad name.
Still, Cheney is not the only one who has left her party. A growing number of Democrats concluded that they had been pushed out. That includes Tulsi Gabbard, Karine Jean-Pierre, Joe Manchin, Rep. Shawn Thierry, Florida State Sen. Jason Pizzo, and 29 others from the House of Representatives. In fact, a Google search shows that over 100 others have left the Democratic Party. So why look at Cheney, who is truly an anomaly?
As far as Democrats supporting Israel, that ship is sailing away. Yes, there may be those on the other side of the aisle who will also turn against Israel, but when that becomes evident, no one will make the case that they are still our best friends. It is time to confront the reality within the Democratic Party and call them out for either pushing antisemitic sentiment or remaining silent when others from within are doing it.
True friends do not remain silent when the danger before them is being advanced by their own.
The writer is a former Jerusalem elementary and middle school principal. She is also the author of Mistake-Proof Parenting, available on Amazon, based on the time-tested wisdom found in the Book of Proverbs.