Bibi and Biden: The Rift Grows
Biden has quickly pivoted to a more extensive criticism of Israel for not being attentive enough to the humanitarian challenges in Gaza.
Dan Schnur is the U.S. Politics Editor for the Jewish Journal. He teaches courses in politics, communications, and leadership at UC Berkeley, USC and Pepperdine. He hosts the monthly webinar “The Dan Schnur Political Report" for the Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall. Follow Dan's work at www.danschnurpolitics.com
Biden has quickly pivoted to a more extensive criticism of Israel for not being attentive enough to the humanitarian challenges in Gaza.
The majority of American Jews are supporters of both Joe Biden and of Israel, which means that many members of our community are currently struggling to digest, diminish or deny recent polls that show both the U.S. president and the Jewish state losing ground with American voters.
According to recent public opinion polls taken by the Israel Democracy Institute, the Israeli people do not seem to be in an especially conciliatory mood.
We’ve known since the afternoon of Oct. 7 that this Gaza war was going to be much longer, darker and uglier than its predecessors.
Which of these two old and experienced politicians prevails will determine Israel’s future.
Even before Oct. 7, Benjamin Netanyahu’s legacy as Israel’s longest-serving leader was highly complicated.
Laphonza Butler was sworn into the United States Senate to succeed Dianne Feinstein on Oct. 1, only days before the Simchat Torah massacre in Israel.
It is entirely possible that the Gaza War could play a disproportionate role in determining the next president of the United States.
The 21st century has not been kind to the Los Angeles Times.
The war will end. But the new reality it leaves behind will require an entirely different approach for both Israel and Diaspora Jews.