OPINION:
President Biden sailed to victory in the Michigan Democratic Party primary, winning more than 80 percent of the vote. But 13 percent of what should have been his support chose instead to go with a candidate called “uncommitted.” Why? They’re angry that he’s not been able to stop Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from striking back at Hamas terrorists; they’re upset Biden hasn’t been able to get the Jewish state to call off the assault. And now, with a very substantial 13 percent showing, these “uncommitted” are feeling their power and sowing their seeds in other states.
Israel, ultimately, will suffer most.
Since Oct. 7, Biden has been more buckler to the pro-Palestinian pressures than a steadfast defender of the Jewish state. Yes, he initially swore allegiance to stand strong and firm alongside Israel as the IDF launched its counter-attack to clear out Hamas terrorists from Gaza, free the hostages and bring to justice those who had committed brutal acts of atrocities on innocent children, women and elderly civilians. But Biden is about as resolute as cheap pancake batter — and about as watery. His running theme for some time has been to put Israel under the spotlight while suggesting, no, urging, no nearly demanding a cease-fire.
In Israel, Bibi seeks “total victory” — and rightly so.
In America, Biden seeks to keep his pro-Palestinian base happy so he can win reelection in November.
The two don’t readily mix.
In fact, the two actually work at cross-purposes because it’s Team Biden’s recent rhetoric on Israel that’s been more mirroring the calls of the antisemites in the international governments, in the “from the river to the sea” pro-Palestinian circles, in the “blame the Jews” type of mindsets that have shown themselves in blaring, glaring eye-widening hot hate on America’s college campuses in the last few months.
And now Biden is feeling even more pinch from his pro-Palestinian influencers of the Democratic Party? This administration’s dealings with Israel can only go from wishy-washy to worse as Election Day 2024 draws closer.
Listen to Michigan, the organization at the helm of forming the “uncommitted” voting option, has just announced a call-to-voters in Minnesota and Washington, where primaries are set for the coming couple of weeks.
“This is the only option we have to enact democracy in this moment,” said Asma Mohammed, one of the leaders of “Uncommitted Minnesota,” The New York Times reported. “We are against a Trump presidency, and we also want Biden to be better. If that means pushing him to his limit, that is what it will take.”
The pro-Palestinian pressures may not have much of an impact on Biden during primary season. He is, after all, the party’s candidate of choice. But in a Trump-Biden matchup, the anger of these “uncommitted” against the Democrat commander in chief may prove more substantial.
They could stay home.
They could vote for third-party or write-in candidates.
They could be a deciding factor in Biden’s general election loss — and Trump’s win.
That’s definitely good news for Trump, for America First Trump supporters, for Biden defectors who’ve seen his policies and have suffered accordingly — and ultimately, for Israel.
But it’s the meanwhile that matters. Israel is in an active war against terrorists who are being pitied by an international community filled with Jew-haters who’ve never sided with the Jewish state. The pressure for Biden to bend to pro-Palestinian will is intense. And as each state votes, if each state shows a substantial level of “uncommitted” turning from Biden, that pressure will only grow.
“Blinken urges Israel to comply with international law as Israel wages its war against Hamas in Gaza,” PBS wrote back in November, about Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s rhetoric. As if. As if Israel were the aggressor and the law-breaking terrorist Hamas were the victims.
“Don’t ‘dehumanize others,’” Blinken said a couple of weeks ago — again, seemingly pointing fingers of blame Israel’s way, rather than at the guilty party, Hamas.
Now the voting begins — and now pressure for Team Biden to acquiesce to the “uncommitted” really mounts.
If America under Biden has already been weak on supporting Israel on its counter-assault on terrorists — think how weak Biden will be in the coming weeks. Think how cowering to evil interests his administration will be until Election Day. The big loser here is Israel, and likely, the Jewish nation’s fortunes won’t change until a better commander-in-chief comes to America.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com or on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter and podcast by clicking HERE. Her latest book, “Lockdown: The Socialist Plan To Take Away Your Freedom,” is available by clicking HERE or clicking HERE or CLICKING HERE.
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