Vox: Democrats are increasingly critical of Israel. Not Pete Buttigieg.

[Jose Garcia]

Pete Buttigieg may be a rising star in the 2020 Democratic field, but his strong pro-Israel views may put him at odds with the increasingly pro-Palestinian left flank in his own party.

The 37-year-old openly gay mayor of South Bend, Indiana, has in the past described Israel as a model for the US in how to deal with security threats. He’s blamed most of the suffering in Gaza on Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist political organization and militant group that has run the territory since 2007. And he’s strongly rejected condemnations of Israel — and US support for it — made by progressive lawmakers.

That’s not to say he’s completely ignored the plight of Palestinians — he hasn’t. During a March campaign stop in Iowa, Buttigieg said he wants America to help make “a world where Israelis and Palestinians are able to live in peace side by side.” Overall, though, Buttigieg has shown a willingness to back Israel.

That puts him in stark contrast with the more progressive wing of his own party. Poll after poll has shown that liberal Democratic primary voters are less sympathetic to Israel than they were in years past. It also shows he disagrees with some first-term Representatives, particularly Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).

more: https://www.vox.com/platform/amp/2019/4/3/18293545/pete-buttigieg-democrats-president-israel-omar-palestine?__twitter_impression=true

[watoos]

1. So, can't I be anti-Bibi and pro Israel at the same time?

[KPN]

4. +1

[EveHammond13]

5. nothing the media likes more than trying to force Dems into a gotcha trap

[crazytown]

2. Spin

What I’ve heard from Pete is analysis, not ideology.

[EveHammond13]

7. THIS 1000 times. Media spat on Obama for this, and now same treatment for Pete.

[EveHammond13]

3. this is the story where the media is manufacturing a split in Dem party

make nuanced remarks? condemn bad acts by Israel while supporting them where rational to do so???? WELL the media is just going to have a GD heyday with that. They will chew it up and spit it out in a gross wad of spun "reporting."

[KPN]

6. So Pete is thoughtful and deliberate ... and somehow that makes him a Netanyahu supporter.

Right.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. I oppose Bibi with the same fervor I support the Jewish State.

[Celerity]

9. he also did not go to the AIPAC forum, so what's next, he is anti-Israel? LOLOL

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-22/democratic-presidential-contenders-to-skip-pro-israel-conference

Representatives of Senators Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren, former Representative Beto O’Rourke and South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Julián Castro said they won’t be attending the AIPAC conference, which begins Sunday in Washington, without giving a reason. John Delaney, another 2020 Democratic contender, said Thursday he also won’t be attending, citing a scheduling conflict.

Trump has accused Democrats of being “anti-Israel” and “anti-Jewish.” The president has been a close ally of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and on Thursday he broke with decades of U.S. policy and said it’s time for the U.S. to “fully recognize” Israel’s sovereignty over the disputed Golan Heights. The move will give a boost to Netanyahu, who faces corruption allegations as he’s running for re-election. He is scheduled to speak at AIPAC and meet with Trump next week.

spin spin spin