Prof. Yossi Shain, an expert on international relations, warned Monday that Israel faces a deep erosion of support in the United States among both Democrats and Republicans. This collapse of Western backing marks a strategic betrayal, he indicated. Shain, who formerly served as a Yisrael Beytenu MK, stated, “Being anti-Israel in the US today is a hot commodity; it is worthwhile and rewarding, and not just anti-Israel, but anti-AIPAC.”
He explained that the global perception of Israeli strength and the influence of the Israeli lobby has collapsed in the US. People are now running for the Senate on hostility toward Israel, winning votes and achieving victory. Shain declared, “We are in a long process of collapse.” David Hess, who headed the American Jewish Committee, likened the standing of US Jewry and Israel to a building in Florida that collapsed on its residents.
Erosion of Western Support
Shain asserted that “The State of Israel and the Israeli government simply betrayed the Democratic Party.” He noted that from the Democrats' perspective, President Biden had saved Israel, yet Israel's leadership aligned with Trump. He also predicted that no agreement would be reached between the US and Iran, despite Israel's need for one. “Israel would be praying for an agreement,” he said. Future administrations, he added, won't be bound by any such agreement, partly due to shifting power dynamics. Shain attributed the lack of international political dialogue to Israel's reliance on Trump, who had pledged to “pull the chestnuts out of the fire.”
On the Republican side, Shain observed a growing unwillingness for Israel to draw the US into another war. He lamented, “Unfortunately, Israel has become a toxic brand.” This isn't merely a political issue, he stressed, but a spreading sentiment, even among Republicans. He mentioned that this perception extends beyond figures like Tucker Carlson. Shain confirmed that offices of senators who are traditional supporters of Israel are now expressing worry. The belief that Trump isn't delivering is also filtering down to voters, he explained.
Iran's Unchecked Advance
Regarding Iran, Shain recounted that the situation demanded action “within days.” He stated that after convincing Trump that the Iranian regime would fall, America did not complete the task following what he called a “phenomenal victory with the Americans.” Shain argued, “When America did not complete it, we kept chipping away more and more at its standing in the system and at its willingness.” This inaction has allowed Iran to advance its destabilizing agenda unchecked, threatening regional security.
The Narrative War
Shain pointed to a campaign that began immediately after the war in Gaza, accusing Israel of “genocide,” which has deeply penetrated both intellectually and politically. This narrative has reached the point where, in the American education system, the issue of genocide is taught and identified as “an Israeli genocide.” This institutional bias represents a significant challenge to Israel’s legitimacy and its right to self-defense. Shain concluded with a stark warning: “If Israel does not replace its leadership with one perceived in America as sane, Israel does not have supporters even in the White House today.” He described the situation as a “fiasco,” emphasizing its profound depth beyond mere election campaign rhetoric.