The campaign labeling Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide" has deeply penetrated American intellectual and political discourse, according to Prof. Yossi Shain, a former Yisrael Beytenu MK. This perception has spread to the point where the American education system now identifies the issue of genocide as "Israeli genocide." Shain, an expert on international relations, warned Monday on 103FM that Israel is experiencing a profound erosion of support across both the Democratic and Republican parties in the United States.
Shain stated that being "anti-Israel" in the US today has become a "hot commodity," offering political rewards. The long-held notion that Israel projects strength and that its lobby is formidable has collapsed within the US political landscape. Candidates are now successfully running for the Senate on platforms explicitly hostile toward Israel, securing votes and victories. This marks a "long process of collapse," Shain asserted, quoting David Hess, former head of the American Jewish Committee, who likened the standing of US Jewry and Israel to a building that collapsed on its residents.
Mounting International Condemnation
The "genocide" campaign, which began immediately after the war in Gaza, has deeply influenced public opinion. Its reach extends beyond political circles, shaping how the issue is taught in American schools. This shift reflects a growing international awareness of the realities on the ground, challenging the narrative Israel has long sought to maintain. The perception of Israel as a "toxic brand" is no longer confined to specific political factions; it's spreading, causing concern even among traditionally pro-Israel senators' offices.
On the Republican side, there's a clear unwillingness to let Israel drag the United States into another war. This sentiment underscores a broader fatigue with endless conflict and a re-evaluation of US foreign policy priorities. The perception that former President Trump isn't delivering on promises related to Israel is also filtering down to voters, further complicating the political calculus for Israeli leadership.
Shifting US Political Landscape
The Israeli government, Shain contended, "betrayed the Democratic Party" by aligning itself with former President Trump. Despite President Biden's perceived efforts to "save" Israel, the Israeli leadership's consistent lean toward Trump has alienated key Democratic constituencies. This strategic misstep has contributed to the current decline in bipartisan support. Shain also noted that there will be no agreement between the US and Iran, a development Israel would "be praying for." He suggested that future US administrations won't be bound by previous agreements, partly due to shifts in power dynamics.
Israel's reliance on Trump to "pull the chestnuts out of the fire" regarding Iran, after convincing him they could bring down the regime, ultimately backfired. When the US did not "complete it," Israel continued to "chip away more and more at its standing in the system and at its willingness." This pattern of relying on a single US administration, rather than fostering broader diplomatic ties, has left Israel vulnerable as US political tides turn.
Shain concluded that if Israel doesn't replace its current leadership with one perceived as "sane" in America, it won't have supporters even in the White House. He described the situation as a "fiasco" of immense scale, suggesting that the true depth of the crisis is being obscured by election campaign narratives. The erosion of support is a deep-seated issue, not merely a superficial political skirmish.