The headline article in this week’s Jewish Link, “Sanders Leads Dems Away From Israel” (June 14, 2018) should send shudders down the spine of every Jew who cares about Israel. Unfortunately it probably won’t for the more than 70 percent of Jews who consistently vote Democratic. Jews have always been more liberal than their counterparts, but their blind devotion to the Democratic Party these days is assuming an almost suicidal, lemming-like march to disaster. The Democratic Party under the influence first of Obama and now under the farbissener, self-hating Sanders, has become a socialistic, anti-Israel party. Yet most Jews still support it.

However, even Obama, in spite of his open acrimony and animosity shown to Netanyahu and Israel, still felt compelled to offer Israel some support, such as the oft-touted 10-year Israel aid package, as evidence of its dedication to the state of Israel. The package itself was deeply flawed and many of its provisions, as outlined below, were strongly objected to by Israel, but were forced through by Obama. Still it represented tangible assistance. With respect to Sanders, a particular concern is the fate of the entire package itself. For there is a provision rarely mentioned in the media, that Congress must formally approve the funding each year, starting in 2018. In essence, the entire package, is only a promise, not an absolute guarantee of future American aid.

It is this provision that makes a Sanders, Farrakhan, Ellison-led Democratic Party, which has become increasingly anti-Israel, anti-Semitic and pro-Palestinian, such a real threat. Such a Democratic-controlled Congress could at any time exert tremendous pressure on Israel, or not approve the aid at all, and it would simply stop. This potential time bomb is the frightening reality that has to be faced in discussions about Sanders.

In conclusion, the Obama Democratic Party was very hostile to Israel, but still felt compelled to show at least some sympathy and support. A Sanders-controlled Congress, as shown by his own actions, may be completely and openly hostile towards Israel, with no restraints, and any support at all may be problematical.

Max Wisotsky

Highland Park