DeepSummary
In this episode, the hosts discuss a powerful pro-Israel group called AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) and their efforts to defeat sitting members of Congress who have criticized Israel's actions in the war against Hamas. The focus is on the Democratic primary race in New York, where AIPAC is spending a record amount of money to support the campaign of George Latimer against incumbent Representative Jamal Bowman.
Bowman, a former school principal and progressive Democrat, won his seat in 2020 by criticizing the long-time incumbent for being out of touch. However, after supporting a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas during the recent conflict, and accusing Israel of committing genocide, Bowman drew the ire of pro-Israel groups like AIPAC. AIPAC has spent over $14.5 million on ads portraying Bowman as disloyal to the Democratic Party, rather than directly criticizing his stance on Israel.
While this strategy appears to be working, with Latimer opening up a significant lead in polls, the hosts question whether defeating individual critics like Bowman will be enough to rebuild a consensus around supporting Israel, which is AIPAC's ultimate goal. The episode explores the broader implications of this race and the changing attitudes towards Israel, particularly among younger Democratic voters.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- AIPAC is spending a record amount of money in an effort to defeat Rep. Jamal Bowman in the New York Democratic primary due to his criticism of Israel's actions against Hamas.
- AIPAC's strategy has been to portray Bowman as disloyal to the Democratic Party, rather than directly criticizing his stance on Israel.
- While this strategy appears to be working in the polls, it raises questions about whether defeating individual critics will be enough to rebuild a consensus around supporting Israel.
- The changing attitudes towards Israel, particularly among younger Democratic voters, pose a challenge for AIPAC's goal of maintaining support for the country.
- The race highlights the broader tensions within the Democratic Party regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict and the role of money in politics.
- Bowman and his progressive allies have framed the race as a battle between corporate interests and grassroots movements, galvanizing support from the left.
- Regardless of the outcome, the episode suggests that AIPAC's long-term goal of rebuilding consensus support for Israel may require more than just defeating individual critics.
- The race exemplifies the increasing polarization and divisiveness surrounding issues like Israel-Palestine, both within parties and in American politics more broadly.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I never saw anyone that looked like me that sounded like me, that came from the places that I've come from, that spoke the language that mattered to me.“ by Jamal Bowman
- “I never saw anyone centering poverty and the working class and immigrants and those who are most vulnerable in our country.“ by Jamal Bowman
- “Nothing that eight pack can do is going to stop our liberation. Nothing. They have already lost.“ by Jamal Bowman
- “And in the long term, that seems to make the problem worse, not better. But at the same time, for Aipac, a win is a win.“ by Nick Fandos
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Episode Information
The Daily
The New York Times
6/25/24