Netanyahu must rely on bipartisan American support, for Israel's sake - opinion

• Published date: 27 March 2024
• Author: TOVA HERZL
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

However, it appears that Netanyahu's Israel has given up on this concept and relies primarily on Republicans

Whoever understands the importance of the relationship between the countries realizes how damaging this is – I refer to the most senior Jewish elected official in America's history, Senate Majority Leader Charles "Chuck" Schumer.

Soon after his March 14 address to the Senate criticizing Netanyahu and calling for elections in Israel, Schumer made two apparently contradictory statements. Hearing that the Republican leader of the House of Representatives may invite Israel's prime minister to address Congress, Schumer said that he would support the move. But when he was approached to arrange a virtual meeting for Democratic senators with Netanyahu, as he had had with their Republican colleagues, he declined.

Wait, so is he in favor of Netanyahu making his voice heard in Congress, or is he not? A spokesman explained that the Senator "does not think that these discussions should happen in a partisan manner. That's not helpful to Israel." What then is the importance of bipartisanship, even when polls indicate that there is greater support for Israel among Republicans?

First, an Israeli-Republican alliance implies rejection of our Jewish brethren, who are the first to stand with us in times of trouble, and most of whom support Democrats. Of 37 Jewish legislators currently in Congress, only three are not Democrats. Also, some Republican support is based on evangelism, which strives for the conversion of Jews and the Second Coming, a problem in itself.

Moreover, there are issues that are identified with Democrats and others with Republicans. As polarization in America increases, Israel has remained in the consensus, a pleasant and useful situation for a country that heads the list of aid recipients and requires America's diplomatic support at the UN and in establishing relations with other countries, as well as in missile defense, emergency supplies in times of crisis, and more.

Finally, bipartisan support is essential for practical considerations, and readers who are familiar with the American system will hopefully forgive me for a paragraph explaining the method of electing and legislating there.

Each law undergoes a separate process in both the Senate and House of Representatives, who then agree on a joint version, brought to the president to sign (or veto, rarely). Presidential elections take place every four years. One hundred senators, two from each...