Trump told Benjamin Netanyahu in one call this month, “Do what you have to do,” according to six people familiar with the conversation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive and confidential information. Trump has said publicly that the two have spoken at least twice in October, with one call as recently as Oct. 19.
“He didn’t tell him what to do militarily, but he expressed that he was impressed by the pagers,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), who was on a call this month with Trump and Netanyahu, referring to the Israeli operation that killed Hezbollah leaders with explosive batteries inside pagers. “He expressed his awe for their military operations and what they have done.”
Graham added: “He told them, do what you have to do to defend yourself, but we’re openly talking about a new Mideast. Trump understands that very much there has to be change with the corrupt Palestinian state.”
Yeah I’ve seen those stats before. I can point to data and testimony, too:
https://www.wesa.fm/politics-government/2024-10-23/pennsylvania-jewish-voters-trump-israel-democrats
https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/22/politics/jewish-voters-pennsylvania-election/index.html
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-election-how-jewish-voters-could-decide-key-swing-state-of-pennsylvania/3369969
https://www.jta.org/2024/10/21/politics/in-philadelphias-suburbs-jewish-canvassers-target-jewish-voters
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/07/us/politics/jewish-voters.html
https://www.jpost.com/american-politics/article-825876
I’ll note that none of your surveys asked voters how importantly they rate current levels antisemitism, or whether or not they’d vote for one candidate over another if Iran launched a military attack on Israel after we withdrew aid. Overall the questions in those surveys (I’ve read them) are perfect examples of framing choices in a systematic way to arrive at answers you want to hear. Are they wrong? Not necessarily? But do they capture the whole picture? Hardly.
And furthermore, the fact that the “uncommitted” folks (plus Jews and Arabs in both swing states) are stumping for Trump rather than just opting out completely proves that their primary concern is absolutely not the Palestinian people. When you turn away from the person calling for a ceasefire and toward Chief Muslim Ban when he tells Bibi, “Do what you have to do” for the “waterfront property”, you’ve proven your responses to those survey questions are carefully crafted, self-delusional poppycock.
And in any case, they’re about to enjoy the fruits of their labor. They might survive the Project 2025 purge, and their relatives might survive the turning of the sands of Gaza to glass (and then condominiums and casinos), but I doubt it. Y’all want Trump? You’re about to get him. Stay vigilant when they come for you.
Antisemitism is on the rise which is exactly why it’s important not to conflate Judaism with Zionism. That conflation stokes genuine Antisemitism which of course is completely unacceptable.
Conditional Military Aid is to ensure the weapons are not used for violations of international humanitarian law, such as genocide. It does not bar defensive weaponry that can defend from missle strikes. Israel’s escalations of genocide in Gaza, now extending the same tactics used to Lebanon, is directly increasing the likelihood of even more escalations. All of which put Israeli civilians at risk. Conditional Aid in order to force Israel to de-escalate, would make military strikes from Iran far less likely.
So shifting from Biden and supporting conditional military aid in order to pressure Israel to end the genocide and take a genuine permanent ceasefire seriously, would both help Harris’ chances of winning the election and improve the safety of Israelis in Israel.
Despite Trump’s horrendous track record, such as literally Hitlarian rhetoric, his support of actual Nazis, and his own antisemitic remarks, why is he gaining in support instead of Harris in respect to Gaza? It’s entirely because of Harris’ Campaign that has not deviated from Biden. People, especially people directly affected such having loved ones killed during this genocide, want a change. However Harris has not indicated any chance from the current Biden Administration on this issue. Trump successfully framed himself as a Dove and Hillary as a warmonger in 2016. He’s using that same tactic now. It would be a completely unsuccessful framing if Harris pivoted to Arms Embargo or Conditional Aid, but that has not happened.
I consider the blame to be entirely on the Democratic Administration and Harris’ Campaign Strategy. They have had every opportunity to change course, and them deciding not to may very well cost them the election. I will not blame anti-genocide voters, especially those who are directly affected and have lost loved ones. That said, I’m still voting for Harris, on the basis that change from public pressure is far more unlikely under Trump, and think everyone else should too.