Of course you’re right, but this time America-- significantly, the part that votes Democratic-- is pretty divided over it and that plays to Trump’s strength. By agreeing to keep the war going until next year, Bibi can accomplish at least two things simultaneously. First, it keeps the Democratic base divided between supporting the Israeli state vs doing anything substantive about the death, destruction and genocide occurring in Gaza. Any Democratic candidate that takes a stance against the war publicly will suddenly find their opponent very well funded. Meanwhile a key bloc of voters remains alienated by the party’s policy. It’s a heavy albatross hung about the necks of the Democrats. Harris has to campaign with that as a backdrop, and of course the Republicans will make hay over it.
Second, if and once Trump back is in office then Israel will be free to roll through Gaza and perhaps even the West Bank, completely wiping out any chance of a Palestinian state. The war ends, and Trump gets to say he resolved the conflict, which means “he won.”
So, yes. Different than 1980, but not really. All Republican dirty tricks-- and violations of the Logan Act-- to muddy up an election for fun and profit.
Of course you’re right, but this time America-- significantly, the part that votes Democratic-- is pretty divided over it and that plays to Trump’s strength. By agreeing to keep the war going until next year, Bibi can accomplish at least two things simultaneously. First, it keeps the Democratic base divided between supporting the Israeli state vs doing anything substantive about the death, destruction and genocide occurring in Gaza. Any Democratic candidate that takes a stance against the war publicly will suddenly find their opponent very well funded. Meanwhile a key bloc of voters remains alienated by the party’s policy. It’s a heavy albatross hung about the necks of the Democrats. Harris has to campaign with that as a backdrop, and of course the Republicans will make hay over it.
Second, if and once Trump back is in office then Israel will be free to roll through Gaza and perhaps even the West Bank, completely wiping out any chance of a Palestinian state. The war ends, and Trump gets to say he resolved the conflict, which means “he won.”
So, yes. Different than 1980, but not really. All Republican dirty tricks-- and violations of the Logan Act-- to muddy up an election for fun and profit.