The Jewish lobby…
Alterman: There is no “Jewish lobby.” There are many Jewish lobbies and most of them are out of sync with the political inclinations of the majority of American Jews. This is not important to them, however, because they are responsible to their funders, who happen to be many of the same people who fund our politicians. This is not the fault of the Jews, but of our system of legal bribery and political corruption.
Jacoby: in America isn’t a “lobby” at all, it is the American people. As poll after poll confirms, the American people, in the aggregate, are the most pro-Israel, pro-Jewish nation on earth.
Lipsky: is important but was outmaneuvered by President Obama.
Podhoretz: will face increasing challenges to its legitimacy from aggressive Jewish leftists who want to divide Israel from American Jewry.
Rubin: had its greatest failing in its inability to stop the Iran deal, thereby shattering its image of political sway and the myth of an all-powerful Jewish lobby.
The important Jewish issues in this election…
Alterman: are tolerance and economic inequality. Israel, which is considered to be the Jewish issue, is going to be supported no matter which candidate wins (and that includes Trump, father and father-in-law to two Orthodox Jews).
Jacoby: are the defense of America’s Judeo-Christian tradition at home and the resolute defense of American interests and democratic allies abroad.
Lipsky: are 1) religious freedom – the ability to follow the laws of Judaism in religious practice and daily life without running afoul of government regulations and court challenges; 2) the security of the state of Israel; and 3) the security of diaspora Jews in a world in which anti-Jewish terrorism is advancing.
Podhoretz: aren’t Jewish issues. They will be liberal issues, abortion foremost. Liberals fantasize these are Jewish issues.
Rubin: will, as with most Americans, center on economic insecurity and international threats. For Jews, however, issues regarding immigration and gay rights become gateway issues, signaling whether a candidate embodies values like tolerance and inclusion. If his or her position and rhetoric convey a lack of compassion or appreciation for the diversity of America, Jews, like many minorities, will not be inclined to explore the candidate’s views on other issues.
Compared with previous elections, this election for Jewish voters…
Alterman: will turn far less on support for Israel than previous ones because the Pew study demonstrated how little most American Jews care, and how even fewer take the “Israel right or wrong” position demanded by most “Jewish leaders” but not by most Jews. (J Street is making this position politically kosher, albeit not so remunerative.)
Jacoby: is muddied by the candidacy of Donald Trump, whose reckless and ugly rhetoric will have the effect of minimizing the political impact of the Obama administration’s disastrous record.
Lipsky: shows the GOP in a sharply more attractive light than the Democrats, at least in my view and on the above issues.
Rubin: will take on added importance with Iran’s potential to become a nuclear power by the end of the next president’s second term.
The best presidential candidate for Israel…
Alterman: I guess I wonder about this question. I know it’s a common one, but I wonder: Would it be kosher to ask: Who is the best presidential candidate for France? For India? For Pakistan? I choose my candidates on the basis of what is best for my country. Let Israelis choose who is best for theirs. (They clearly don’t care what I think or Bibi would be in another business altogether.)
Jacoby: in my lifetime was George W. Bush, whose warmth and affection for Israel were unmistakably heartfelt. Of the (remaining) candidates in the 2016 presidential contest, only Ted Cruz appears to be firmly and instinctively pro-Israel.
