The American left’s shift away from Israel

The US is currently in the midst of college graduation season, but the celebrations have been overshadowed by pro-Palestinian protests on elite university campuses. Administrators are facing tough decisions on whether to allow the encampments to remain, clear out the protesters, or even cancel commencement ceremonies altogether.

The focus on Israel’s conflict in Gaza as the central issue of these protests has raised questions about why this particular issue has captured the attention of college students nationwide. While the images of suffering in Gaza are undoubtedly a driving force, there are other conflicts in the Muslim world involving American allies that have not garnered the same level of attention on college campuses.

Some analysts attribute the shift in support away from Israel to ideological reasons, latent antisemitism, conspiracies involving donations to universities, or generational differences. However, a more straightforward explanation may lie in party politics.

Historically, bipartisan support for Israel in Washington was crucial for the country’s foreign policy objectives. However, the strained relationship between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former US President Barack Obama, as well as Netanyahu’s close ties to former President Donald Trump, have turned support for Israel into a partisan issue.

Netanyahu’s overt support for Republicans and his clashes with Democratic leaders have alienated many on the left, leading to a shift in support away from Israel. The consequences of this partisan divide are evident in the political landscape, with calls for Netanyahu’s ouster from both sides of the aisle.

As Netanyahu blames “antisemitic mobs” for the protests on college campuses, critics argue that his own actions and partisanship have played a significant role in alienating the American left and youth from Israel. The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the political turmoil in Washington highlight the complex relationship between Israel, the US, and the shifting dynamics of support on college campuses.