Increasingly, the American Jewish community has been finding itself in an impossible situation regarding Israel. The Israel Defense Force’s (IDF) horrific attack on a pre-approved (by the IDF), easily identifiable, well-marked World Central Kitchen convoy (its name and logo were both large and prominent on the vehicles’ roofs) delivering desperately needed food to starving Gazans may be the last straw. I find it hard to believe that, as Prime Minister Netanyahu and the IDF claim, this was an accident.
Breaking with Israel is not easy. It is painful in the extreme. It has been building for years during the two-decade, increasingly authoritarian reign of Benjamin Netanyahu, whose Trump-like ego, escalating disregard for democratic norms and lust for absolute power keeps moving his country further and further into a right-wing abyss.
When shortly after the end of World War II the United Nations voted to establish a homeland for the Jewish people, whose small numbers had just been halved by the worst genocide in history, American Jews rejoiced and felt a pride that the 2,000-year diaspora had never known. They continued to support Israel with money and passion through its birth pangs when it was confronted by the armies of all of the Arab nations bordering it who were intent on eradicating it and its population from the face of the Earth. Their backing endured unwavering through the 1956, 1967 and 1973 wars when, once again, Israel’s very existence was threatened. Although doubts began to trouble American Jews when Netanyahu vastly expanded West Bank settlements and moved far to the right, support for Israel remained strong.
Just as important was the United States’ commitment to Israel’s survival. It was the first nation to recognize the Jewish state in 1948 and, since then, has provided foreign aid, including massive amounts of military assistance, in amounts larger than those given to any other nation. Israel has had privileged access to our most advanced military platforms and technologies. Over the years, Israel has received about $300 billion (adjusted for inflation) in total economic and military assistance. Without American weapons, Israel would not have survived.
Now both the U.S. and American Jewry’s “Israel Right or Wrong” commitments are wavering. While the latter’s support, especially among the young, is dissipating, it is also true that older Jews are having second thoughts. U.S. military support continues unabated for now. However, the Biden administration holds virtually all of the cards. Expressing outrage, however, is meaningless without some action backing it up. The same day as the murderous attack on the aid convoy, the U.S. authorized re-supplying Israel with 1,800 bombs. This is a bad look and could cost Biden the election. If Netanyahu continues his reckless, brutal campaign in Gaza and unconcern for human suffering, the U.S. needs to consider cutting back or even cutting off military assistance. That’s a pretty big stick in favor of removing Netanyahu from the picture ASAP. We should know by now from our experiences with people like Putin, Kim and Trump that trying to reason with a sociopath like Netanyahu is pointless.
Netanyahu is now reaping the “rewards” of years of actually bolstering Hamas in Gaza in an attempt to discredit the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. In the way he has conducted this war, he has frittered away the world’s sympathy for the October 7 massacre of more than 1,200 Israelis. This is a blunder of historic proportions. All of the goodwill and empathy for Israel in the U.S. and the West has been squandered. It may never be recouped. Which regime is seen as the pariah state now? Good job, Bibi!
It remains to be seen if, once Netanyahu departs the scene, both the U.S. and the American Jewish community will revert to their heretofore steadfast support for the Middle East’s only democracy.
Dick Hermann
April 5, 2024
Breaking with Israel is not easy. It is painful in the extreme. It has been building for years during the two-decade, increasingly authoritarian reign of Benjamin Netanyahu, whose Trump-like ego, escalating disregard for democratic norms and lust for absolute power keeps moving his country further and further into a right-wing abyss.
When shortly after the end of World War II the United Nations voted to establish a homeland for the Jewish people, whose small numbers had just been halved by the worst genocide in history, American Jews rejoiced and felt a pride that the 2,000-year diaspora had never known. They continued to support Israel with money and passion through its birth pangs when it was confronted by the armies of all of the Arab nations bordering it who were intent on eradicating it and its population from the face of the Earth. Their backing endured unwavering through the 1956, 1967 and 1973 wars when, once again, Israel’s very existence was threatened. Although doubts began to trouble American Jews when Netanyahu vastly expanded West Bank settlements and moved far to the right, support for Israel remained strong.
Just as important was the United States’ commitment to Israel’s survival. It was the first nation to recognize the Jewish state in 1948 and, since then, has provided foreign aid, including massive amounts of military assistance, in amounts larger than those given to any other nation. Israel has had privileged access to our most advanced military platforms and technologies. Over the years, Israel has received about $300 billion (adjusted for inflation) in total economic and military assistance. Without American weapons, Israel would not have survived.
Now both the U.S. and American Jewry’s “Israel Right or Wrong” commitments are wavering. While the latter’s support, especially among the young, is dissipating, it is also true that older Jews are having second thoughts. U.S. military support continues unabated for now. However, the Biden administration holds virtually all of the cards. Expressing outrage, however, is meaningless without some action backing it up. The same day as the murderous attack on the aid convoy, the U.S. authorized re-supplying Israel with 1,800 bombs. This is a bad look and could cost Biden the election. If Netanyahu continues his reckless, brutal campaign in Gaza and unconcern for human suffering, the U.S. needs to consider cutting back or even cutting off military assistance. That’s a pretty big stick in favor of removing Netanyahu from the picture ASAP. We should know by now from our experiences with people like Putin, Kim and Trump that trying to reason with a sociopath like Netanyahu is pointless.
Netanyahu is now reaping the “rewards” of years of actually bolstering Hamas in Gaza in an attempt to discredit the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. In the way he has conducted this war, he has frittered away the world’s sympathy for the October 7 massacre of more than 1,200 Israelis. This is a blunder of historic proportions. All of the goodwill and empathy for Israel in the U.S. and the West has been squandered. It may never be recouped. Which regime is seen as the pariah state now? Good job, Bibi!
It remains to be seen if, once Netanyahu departs the scene, both the U.S. and the American Jewish community will revert to their heretofore steadfast support for the Middle East’s only democracy.
Dick Hermann
April 5, 2024
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