Support for Israel has always been bipartisan. Netanyahu, strolling jauntily on the Republican side of the aisle, casting disdain on a sitting American president, changed that. Netanyahu has opened a painful rift in the American Jewish community.
Although we have more than our share of neocons, Jews overwhelming punched the chad for Obama. Now we are asked to choose between the natural home for our progressive views and the Jewish State. Rancor replaces harmony at many Passover Seders and Thanksgiving gatherings.
Politics makes strange bedfellows, but the bitter morning always comes. Anti-semitism and support for Israel are not mutually exclusive. Nixon was a friend of Israel, and even relied on a Jewish Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger. But the White House tapes feature anti-Semitic rantings. Nixon was raised as a Quaker. Be assured that many Evangelicals, the backbone of the GOP, have harsher ramblings and darker thoughts. Messianic dogma bequeaths support for Israel, but not for Jews.
Evangelicals may thank us for the fire and brimstone of the old testament, but doctrinally deny us passage through the pearly gates. Heaven can wait. So can my support for a party of exclusion.
oh yeah!
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