Israel and U.S. Politics on Election Night in Colorado
Four Reflections on Israel, Antisemitism, and the Case for an Independent Alternative
Abstract: Democratic primaries are elevating candidates who are increasingly hostile toward Israel, while many party moderates offer only qualified or ambiguous support. These election-night reflections consider what this shift means for pro-Israel voters—and whether it creates an opening for an anti-Trump, anti-antisemitism independent movement in 2028.
I am leaving for vacation to visit my new granddaughter. I will return to the subjects of inflation and affordability when I come back.
Tonight is election night—and, for me and many other supporters of Israel and opponents of antisemitism, a deeply discouraging one.
Comment One
I now expect the next Congress to include roughly 15 Democrats whose rhetoric or positions I regard as effectively pro-Hamas. This is my preliminary assessment rather than a final documented count. When I return, I will define precisely what I mean by “pro-Hamas,” identify the members who meet that definition, and add up the total.
Even many moderate Democrats are hedging their support for Israel through vague statements and mixed votes.
AIPAC’s decision to spend heavily to defeat Tom Malinowski in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District now looks even more misguided. Malinowski’s defeat helped Analilia Mejia, a candidate who describes Israel’s conduct in Gaza as genocide, win the nomination.
After AIPAC-backed primary loss, Tom Malinowski endorses rival who says Israel committed genocide
Comment Two
Moderate Democrats increasingly say that they support Israel but oppose Benjamin Netanyahu and favor a two-state solution. But October 7 demonstrated the enormous security obstacles standing in the way of such a solution.
A woman who wanted to confront me about Israel once asked, “What do you think of Bibi Netanyahu?” My response was: “What do you think of Naftali Bennett and Gadi Eisenkot?”
Both men oppose Netanyahu, but neither treats Israel’s security threats as secondary. Eisenkot is a former chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces who has broadly supported Israel’s military operations while criticizing Netanyahu’s strategy. Bennett has explicitly said that Israel can no longer permit terrorist organizations to construct extensive military infrastructure along its borders.
This grieving father and former general could challenge Netanyahu
Naftali Bennett says Israel-U.S. alliance is at risk
I do not believe that many of Israel’s American critics would be satisfied with either Bennett or Eisenkot. That suggests that their objection extends beyond Netanyahu himself.
Comment Three
As of tonight’s returns, Melat Kiros appears headed toward victory in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District Democratic primary.
Can we agree that refusing to identify the terrorist firebombing of peaceful Jewish demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, as antisemitic represents, at a minimum, an indefensible failure of moral clarity?
The attacker targeted a predominantly Jewish gathering supporting the hostages taken on October 7, shouted “Free Palestine,” and attacked participants with incendiary devices and a makeshift flamethrower. One victim later died. Yet Kiros declined to characterize the attack as clearly antisemitic.
Democratic socialist candidate won’t call Boulder attack antisemitic
This is where a substantial part of the Colorado Democratic Party now stands.
Comment Four
Many deep-blue districts that have nominated candidates hostile toward Israel were decided in primaries with turnout far below that of a general election.
In a three-way general-election contest, a viable and well-funded independent candidate who is both anti-Trump and unequivocally opposed to antisemitism could be competitive.
It is too late to place such candidates on the ballot in 2026.
The 2028 effort starts tonight.