Proper etiquette dictates that if you lose a contest or a game, you’re supposed to be stoic about it, inhale deeply, and move on. No sense in being a sore loser or being a spoiled brat. Lick your wounds and go forward.
Well, I will confess. I am having a hard time being so stoic. Not because I don’t like losing, which I’m sure is part of the reason. Rather, because I’m afraid that my opposing view can have long-term repercussions for the Jewish people.
In the election for Congress on Long Island a week or so ago, I wrote very clearly that if we are seriously pro-Israel, we must vote for the Republican. While it may be true that Democratic candidate Tom Suozzi has an excellent record on Israel, we simply cannot allow Congress to be under Democratic control. I was very disappointed that Republican candidate Mazi Pilip lost by a wide margin to the Democrat.
Look at what is happening in Congress now. Fifteen Jewish Democrats, including the censured Adam Schiff and the useless Jerrold Nadler, signed a letter demanding of the Israeli government that they accept a Two-State Solution.
Never mind that this rewards the Hamas terrorists for the October 7 massacre. Never mind that every poll shows that Palestinians want a one-state solution – meaning no Israel. Never mind that October 7 showed conclusively that the Palestinians have no interest in living side-by-side with Israel. Never mind that beginning with the 1948 Arab rejection of a partitioned country, right through the decades, they dismissed any serious offer of a Two-State Solution. Just ask US Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush how their offers were accepted. Or ask Israeli Prime Ministers Ehud Olmert and Ehud Barak what the Arab response was to their being offered almost the entire West Bank and East Jerusalem.
“Two-State Solution” has become a talking point of the Left, and please do not let facts get in the way.
President Joe Biden was an unabashed supporter of Israel when the war broke out. But then reality began to set in. Israel is aggressively defending itself. Palestinians, Rashida Tlaib, and the Left base were not happy with Mr. Biden’s stand. Suddenly, the Biden talk is different. Israel has gone “over the top.” Israel needs “to do more” to prevent civilian deaths. Israel must cower and submit a plan within 45 days of what their long-terms goals are. Biden is reportedly working with the UN to impose a temporary ceasefire. Netanyahu is referred to with an expletive by President Biden. All these things were floated and then denied. Meanwhile, the Democrats in Congress are beating the anti-Israel drums with increasing fervor.
Recently, Florida Republican Congressman Brian Mast grilled Biden administration Undersecretary of State for Arms Control Bonnie Jenkins, who stated her absolute support for the Two-State Solution. His question was simple: “Have you analyzed which Arab entity will govern the so-called Palestinian State?” Will it be Hamas, the PLA, Muslim Brotherhood, Palestinian Arab Jihad, or Iran? She had a hard time understanding his question and had no answer. But that’s okay: Just parrot the politically correct narrative.
If Democrats gain a majority in both houses of Congress and retain the Presidency, how do you think they will treat Israel? One thing about the Democrats: They are in lockstep with each other. Do you truly believe that your Democratic representative will defy the Democratic majority? It does not happen, no matter how obviously wrong they are. (Does the Russia Hoax come to mind? Or the second impeachment of Donald Trump? Or the obviously false accusations against Justice Kavanaugh?)
Yes, to her eternal credit, Congresswoman Grace Meng took a huge political risk and voted against the Obama/Biden nuclear deal. But that’s it. Name another Democrat being as defiant.
You can do t’shuvah. It’s not too late. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is up for reelection. Remember, she voted for the Iran nuclear deal, and it did not cost her politically. You can probably fit all her achievements as a senator on the back of a postage stamp – with room to spare. She won reelection because she’s a Democrat in a deep-blue state. Please, let’s show that we stand for something. Unless her opponent (not officially declared) has an awful record, we must support the Republican. I can’t be blunter than that. Maybe as a rabbi I should not be involved in such blatant politics. I know some of the Orthodox political machinery was upset with me for not supporting a Democrat. But as a rabbi, I also am dutybound to worry about the Jewish People. And I do.
Yes, it’s true that some of our representatives “bring home the bacon” with funding for important programs. But the Jewish People must think way beyond their parochial needs. Our survival as a nation depends on it.
Yes, I am sour about the Republican loss. But I hope I succeeded to some extent in explaining how we need to overcome the bitter aftertaste.
Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld is the Rabbi Emeritus of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, President of the Coalition for Jewish Values, former President of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens, and the Rabbinic Consultant for the Queens Jewish Link.
