The Biden Administration's unwavering support for Israel militarily, politically, and diplomatically has become a thorn in their side. Strong signals suggest that this policy could result in Democrats losing the White House in the November elections. At this critical moment in American history, the November 2024 elections are "existential" for both sides. A significant faction of the Democrats insists on the Biden Administration abandoning its unconditional support for Israel's genocide in Gaza. The November elections hang in the balance, and mainstream Democratic leadership feels the losses that support for Israel could bring deeply.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu remains unfazed by the criticism from the Biden Administration, which lacks any real deterrent. As he reiterated, Netanyahu has only three requests from the US: ammunition, ammunition, and more ammunition. He does not want the flow of arms from the US to be interrupted for any reason, and the Biden Administration has not made any attempts to stop it.
Biden needs a "temporary ceasefire" in Gaza, while Netanyahu needs to save himself. These two needs contradict each other, with one winning at the expense of the other. They may both lose in a bet, but there is no bet they can win together.
Even pro-Israel Democrats in Congress are under intense pressure from the "either Netanyahu or the White House" dilemma. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's speech stirred up quite a controversy. As the highest-ranking Jewish leader in Congress, Schumer's call for elections in Israel amid his criticism shocked many. Schumer, who is the closest figure to Netanyahu among Senate Democrats, even opposed President Barack Obama. Describing himself as the "guardian of the Jews," Schumer's speech highlights how bad the situation has become due to Biden's support for Israel. Schumer informed the White House in advance of his speech. President Biden may have calculated the impact Schumer's speech would have on Israelis.
Aware that Israel cannot wage a long-term war without US support, Israeli political elites are also trapped in the "either Netanyahu or the US" dilemma. Support for Israel in the US is based on bipartisan consensus. Democrats were uncomfortable with Netanyahu's close ties to Republicans. Liberal Jews also complained that Netanyahu-Trump collaboration would undermine bipartisan support for Israel. Moreover, sympathy for Israel in America is dwindling, especially among younger generations who question unconditional US support for Israel.
The strongest reactions to Schumer's speech came from "neoconservatives" and "Republicans." Convicted neocon Elliott Abrams described Schumer's speech as an "unprecedented attack" on Israel on the CFR website. He noted the significance of Vice President Kamala Harris criticizing Netanyahu before Schumer, accusing Democrats of prioritizing their election needs over Israel's security. Abrams, who has been condemned for the dirty role the US played in directly or indirectly intervening in the internal politics of Latin American countries, absurdly accused Harris and Schumer of meddling in Israel's internal politics.
According to Norm Coleman, president of the Republican Jewish Coalition, Schumer, the highest-ranking elected Jewish political leader in American history, stabbed Israel in the back. Coleman argued that Democrats were trying to appear tough on Israel because their votes were declining, and they were even more willing to sacrifice Israel to gain an advantage in critical states.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Mike Johnson also accuse Schumer of meddling in Israel's internal politics. It's ironic how they suddenly remember democracy when it comes to Israel. The Biden Administration, complicit in the deaths of thousands of children and women by essentially laying a "weapon pipeline" to Israel, is trying to wash its hands and shift the blame solely onto Netanyahu. That's the crux of the matter.
