Iran and Qatar could hardly have done more damage.
These two countries spend billions trying to harm Israel, yet they still may not inflict as much long-term damage on Israel’s future as AIPAC just did.
Politico reported that AIPAC spent at least $9 million in Kentucky against Rep. Thomas Massie, part of a 32$ million effort, in support of the little-known Ed Gallrein. Massie had been outspoken in opposing aid to Israel and in pushing for the release of materials related to Jeffrey Epstein, something President Trump was reportedly unhappy about.
Either AIPAC and its donors do not understand the consequences of what they have done in Kentucky, or they do understand and simply do not care. Their success in ousting Massie is already being treated as the ultimate proof of Israel’s control over the American political system.
Right-wing commentator Kim Iversen is already writing: “The defeat of Thomas Massie is the worst thing to happen to Jews in America. Every single Jew will be subject to suspicion of dual loyalty… AIPAC, Israel and Miriam Adelson have ensured a deep hatred for Israel and a deep suspicion that many of our fellow Americans… Humans repeat history and yes, I can now see a future where Jewish Americans are eradicated from government and expelled to Israel…”
The same is true on the left. Brian Allen wrote: “There is no hiding it anymore, no saying ‘Israel doesn’t control our politics.’ Bro, it’s in our faces, blatantly. Israel just spent $35 million for a seat in fucking Kentucky!”
After Trump, Israel will have to navigate geopolitics without American support. Americans under 55 have not only lost support for Israel — many of them actively resent Israel and its influence. Meanwhile, American Jews deal with a rising wave of antisemitism that will lead to violence.
The absurdity is that most American Jews are liberal. Many are openly opposed to Netanyahu government policy and to the occupation. Many of the protesters in New York demonstrating against this reality are Jewish. That, however, will have little effect on the growing hatred directed at them. The donors backing AIPAC and opposing Massie represent only a small, though powerful, minority of Jewish Americans.
The United States still has a large racist base. We are witnessing it in the aftermath of Supreme Court rulings and in attempts by various states to redraw electoral maps in ways that will prevent non-white representation. This is the fertile ground in which antisemitism is growing — from both the right and the left.
Even among African Americans, who once again find themselves required to combat racist measures aimed at undermining their rights, there is no room for alliance with American Jews, against a coalition of white supremacists and Muslim fundamentalists. Despite the fact that Jews stood alongside the civil rights movement in the 1960s and marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma. So history just repeats itself.
American Jews will be caught in the middle. On the one hand, life in the United States may become increasingly difficult. On the other hand, moving to Israel, a country becoming more religious and fundamentalist, consumed by the cancer that is the occupation and endless wars — is not an appealing alternative either.
The best thing liberal Jews could do is help Israelis remove Netanyahu, Smotrich, Ben-Gvir and their parties, in the hope of forming a government that includes the Arab minority, that will advance a two-state solution as soon as possible.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and especially the occupation, is the monster at the root of Israel’s broader conflicts and the basis of the global anti-Israel and rising antisemitism.
This will be a “pull the rug” move under all the BDS/ white nationalists/ Muslim fundamentalists movements.
The chances of this are slim. But it is still the best course of action — and it should be done ASAP.
Attorney, former communications director for the Israeli government, lobbyist, strategy, former reporter for Galei Tzahal and Haaretz, former Shaliach to the US, CEO of The Israeli TV & Film Producers Association, Campaign manager for several parties and incumbents. Led several social causes, organizations, causes and unions. Life-long volunteer and student.