U.S. Jews who put Israel first are merely exercising their democratic rights

[shaayecanaan]

With the loathsome term ‘Israel-Firster’ coming back into the journalistic vernacular in some parts of the U.S. press, an opinion is forming that elections bring the worst out of Jews. Whether through the Republican candidates’ fixation on Israel, or vocal elements of the communities myopic focus, some are questioning whether it is right to be such a single issue voter at a time when there are so many problems plaguing the United States. By voting on the basis of how a candidate for office views Israel, are you somehow showing you have dual loyalties?

First and foremost it is vital to make clear that there is nothing neither wrong nor un-American in being a single issue voter. Many in the environmental lobby made clear to the president that if he had green-lighted the Keystone Pipeline then they would not have voted for him. They boiled their selection down to a single issue. Whether on a woman’s right to choose, the second amendment or nuclear disarmament, being intensely motivated by a single issue is normal in many settings. Why cannot those whose issue is Israel be considered in the same way?

http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/u-s-jews-who-put-israel-first-are-merely-exercising-their-democratic-rights-1.410964

[Enrique]

1. it's just like any special interest

there's a difference between being a "one-issue voter" and a tool of the oil industry, or Israel, or China, or whatever. If an elected official becomes a tool of anyone, then that is unpatriotic.

[hlthe2b]

2. There is a difference between having support for Israel as a primary issue and...

having unquestioned support for Israel -- even at the expense of US interests and potential serious harm--being ones single issue.

The first group I can understand and fully respect. The second, to me, is moving seriously close to treason.