Ingratiation of Rahm Emanuel to American Haters of Israel and Jews

Jewish candidates for the US Congress, including members of Congress running for re-election are finding the need to pass a litmus test if they want to be considered serious contenders for office in the midterm election in 2028. The litmus test consists of denouncing Israel not only for the war in Gaza but also for its policies towards Palestinians and even for its own existence. And it is not only Jewish candidates, many other candidates, mostly Democratic, but also some Republican are distancing themselves from AIPAC and from any support for Israel.

Rahm Emanuel is another hopeful who intends to run for the US President in 2028. His father fought in the War of Independence in 1948 and he himself has a distinguished public career first as a White House Chief of Staff under Barack Obama. Later he served as the mayor of Chicago and US ambassador in Japan. Lately he is considering running as a Democrat for presidency, the US highest office in 2028.

His interview by Zvika Klein in Jerusalem Post is quite revealing and depressing. Emanuel gave a speech at Tel Aviv University during his recent visit in Israel. Judging from the report by Klein, Emanuel came to confront and insult Israelis in the hope he would gain points and favor with Democrats, including so called Democratic Socialists who are openly antisemitic, not just anti-Zionist. He needs their support as a potential presidential candidate in 2028. To widen his mostly imaginary circle of supporters and fans he is also trying to gain favor with Republicans by publishing op-eds in Wall Street Journal where he outlines how his policies would differ from standard Democratic line.

In his speech he did not have anything positive to say about Israel. From criticism of Netanyahu to Israeli violent settlers to increasing dislike of Israel by Americans, especially young ones, and Europe nothing was left untouched. OK, criticism of Netanyahu and the settler activity in the West Bank is legitimate, but no positive things were pointed out. He promised that in the case he would become the president he would institute BDS, not only by imposing sanctions on settlements but also on Israeli companies and banks doing business with them. He claims that Israel walked away from three out of four tools that it had at its disposition and invested only in military power. True political persuasion is Israel’s Achilles’ heel, Israel is pretty strong in economic and scientific/hi-tech statecraft, and cultural attractions, though the last one in particular is a favorite antisemitic target by artists. Interestingly, nowhere he mentions increasing antisemitism and incitement by massive campus protests aimed at Israel in the aftermath of October 7 massacre that led to increasing anti-Zionism and antisemitism among Americans and Europeans alike. According to him it is Israel’s fault that support for Israel tanked among Americans. In contrast Bernard-Henri Lévy ascribed isolation and animosity against Israel as the result of moral decline and disgrace of the West.

If anything, Emanuel’s speech at TAU sounded like a stump speech for his coming presidential campaign in the US, not Israel. No, not all Jews have walked away from Israel, but he did – that is not going work in his favor. Does he realize that as a Jew he does not have a chance to be a nominee by Democratic party? He should learn from what happened to Scott Weiner in California – forsaking of Israel he is still just a Jew for many Democrats, and especially to Democratic Socialists. Even being gay does not help Weiner. And Emanuel should wait and see how Congress hopefuls who renounced Israel, aid to Israel and AIPAC will score in the upcoming midterm elections. Emanuel came to confront and insult Israelis hoping he would gain points and favor with Democrats, including the so called Democratic Socialists who are openly antisemitic, not just anti-Zionist. Perhaps he should propose sanctioning these anti-Semites rather begging for their support. He obviously thinks he needs them to gain presidential candidacy in 2028.

Emanuel is a sharp guy. He understands that to win the election he would need some support from moderate Republicans. Even publishing op-eds in Wall Street Journal may not be enough to widen his appeal to moderate voters, assuming they read WSJ. But as I postulated above that because it is unlikely for him to become a Democratic presidential candidate so there is no need for him to humiliate and ingratiate himself to the Democratic party.