Concerns of Democratic Congressman Over Anti-Israel Sentiments in Party
(Drew Angerer/Getty Images, Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)
An anonymous Democratic congressman expressed his worries to Politico about the potential growth and spread of anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian views within his party.
The congressman emphasized that it cannot be taken for granted that members of the “Squad” will continue to voice their anti-Semitic sentiments. He stressed the importance of preventing these views from gaining further influence.
Recently, “Squad” members Cori Bush (D., Mo.) and Rashida Tlaib (D., Mich.) have blamed Israel for Hamas’s terrorist attack. Bush even called for cutting off U.S. aid to Israel due to what she perceives as Israeli military occupation and apartheid.
The anonymous congressman raised concerns about the potential consequences when Israel launches its counterassault against Hamas. He questioned what the situation will look like and how it will be portrayed in the media.
Another anonymous House Democrat shared similar concerns, fearing that the Progressive Caucus will become more vocal as images of “dead Palestinians” circulate following Israel’s response to Hamas terrorists.
Both representatives expressed worries that President Joe Biden’s support for Israel may wane as criticism from pro-Palestinian Democrats intensifies, a pattern observed after Hamas’s rocket attack on Israel in 2021.
Democratic congressmen Ritchie Torres (N.Y.) and Josh Gottheimer (N.J.) have publicly condemned the anti-Semitic comments made by Bush and Tlaib. Gottheimer, in particular, expressed his disgust at the rhetoric of the “Squad” members.
The Biden administration is also facing challenges with anti-Israel officials within the State Department. Recently, the department deleted tweets that equated Israel and Hamas, including one that urged all sides to refrain from violence and retaliatory attacks.
Notably, President Biden ended his public schedule before noon on Monday without mentioning the Americans killed by Hamas.
How might the portrayal of Israel’s actions during the conflict with Hamas in the media affect public opinion and potentially influence the Democratic Party’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
The concerns over anti-Israel sentiments within the Democratic Party have come to the forefront, as a congressman recently expressed his worries about the potential growth and spread of these views. The congressman, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke to Politico about his concerns regarding the “Squad” and their anti-Semitic sentiments.
The congressman emphasized the importance of not taking for granted that members of the “Squad” will continue to voice their anti-Israel views. He stressed the need to prevent these sentiments from gaining further influence within the party. This is a clear indication that there is a growing concern about the potential impact of these views on the party’s overall stance on Israel and its policies.
Recently, members of the “Squad” such as Cori Bush from Missouri and Rashida Tlaib from Michigan have been blaming Israel for Hamas’s terrorist attacks. Bush even went as far as calling for the cutting off of U.S. aid to Israel, citing what she perceives as Israeli military occupation and apartheid. These statements have raised alarm among Democratic congressmen who believe such views go against the long-standing bipartisan support for Israel.
The anonymous congressman also raised concerns about the consequences when Israel launches its counterassault against Hamas. He questioned how the situation will be portrayed in the media and what impact it will have on public opinion. This reflects a worry about the potential negative portrayal of Israel’s actions and the subsequent impact on the party’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Another anonymous House Democrat shared similar concerns, particularly fearing that the Progressive Caucus will become more vocal as images of “dead Palestinians” circulate following Israel’s response to Hamas terrorists. This highlights a fear that public opinion may be swayed by emotions and graphic imagery, leading to a shift in support away from Israel.
Both representatives expressed worries that President Joe Biden’s support for Israel may decrease as criticism from pro-Palestinian Democrats intensifies. They cited a pattern observed after Hamas’s rocket attack on Israel in 2021, where some Democratic members expressed criticism towards Israel. This indicates a concern that the party’s support for Israel may be wavering under the pressure of internal divisions.
In contrast to these concerns, Democratic congressmen Ritchie Torres from New York and Josh Gottheimer from New Jersey have publicly condemned the anti-Semitic comments made by Bush and Tlaib. Gottheimer, in particular, expressed his disgust at the rhetoric of the “Squad” members. These congressmen’s condemnation of their colleagues’ anti-Israel sentiments reflects a clear divide within the Democratic Party on this issue.
The concerns raised by these Democratic congressmen highlight the growing worries over anti-Israel sentiments within the party. As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to evolve, it is crucial for the Democratic Party to address these concerns and ensure that support for Israel remains strong and bipartisan. The future stance of the party on this issue will undoubtedly be a topic of interest as the 2022 midterm elections approach.
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