Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) said policy differences toward Israel between her and President Biden won’t stop her from supporting him in the November general election.
“Of course,” Omar said Tuesday, when asked by CNN’s Abby Phillip on “NewsNight” whether she would vote for Biden if the election were held that day, in a clip highlighted by Mediaite. “Democracy is on the line, we are facing down fascism.”
“And I personally know what my life felt like having Trump as the president of this country, and I know what it felt like for my constituents, and for people around this country and around the world,” Omar continued. “We have to do everything that we can to make sure that does not happen to our country again.”
I would say that he is probably afraid of losing the support within the Jewish community in USA. But also it is strategically very important for USA to have Israel in the middle east because otherwise they would have no influence on the region whatsoever.
But we just went over that. The Jewish community has a plurality of opinions, and even though it may be more likely that they support Israel in general, that doesn’t mean they (e.g.) don’t want a ceasefire or think that weapons sales should stop during a plausible genocide. Assuming otherwise is antisemitic, unless you have evidence?
As for the partner in the middle East I really think this point is bullshit. Why have a partner that’s been committing war crimes for 5 straight months now? Well longer, but you know. Does the US actually have bad relations with Jordan, for example? Plus their influence in the region would grow substantially if they openly opposed the apartheid state (which basically all of the middle East doesn’t like) and sent that money to someone else instead. I’m sorry I know this is the common wisdom but I really don’t get it. “No influence whatsoever” is obviously taking it too far, but even the general point I find questionable
The reason why Israel and US have such a strong relationship is very logical. Both US and Israel are democratic countries, both have one of the most advanced technology industries in the world. For american companies, Israel is their entry way to the Middle East. In addition, both have a common enemy - Iran and Israel is a partner with quite a strong military, so there exists a counter force to Iran.
Regarding Jordan, their values are not so close to the ones of US. Also, not that long time ago they were in a war and in the last days, they seem to get closer and closer to Iran.
So whilst Israel’s actions may not be ideal, stopping funding it would end in a catastrophe. Israel would be weaker and groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah could take it (at least it would be far easier than with US’s money). Then there would be nothing to complicate Iran’s goal of becoming a nuclear superpower and I don’t think I have to continue why that would be terrible.