I get money begs from AIPAC every day - if I go to my spam folder to look at them. It has become a right-wing dirty money collective. We simply have to get money out of politics.
There is no doubt that we need campaign finance reform so that the individual's vote means more than the corporate influenced interests. While at it, it's time to get rid of the lobbyists who make sure that the corporate interests are treated well in Congress.
Thank you Jennifer Rubin for this post. Although I live in Chicago and Daniel Biss in nearby Evanston, we share the same views about Israel. Sadly, many Jewish friends condemn our criticism of Netanyahu and his war tactics. The same group bashed us for supporting Mamdami. I appreciate Biss's brave stance, knowing his email will be filled with "how could you's" and "you're a traitor to Israel." Why are Jews expected to behave like a herd, following the leader blindly, without comment or criticism? Just the fact that Netanyahu and Trump are buddies is enough for many Jews to turn our backs to this Prime Ministor and his warring activities. I'm grateful that Evanstonians uplifted this Jewish young man and in their vote confirmed whether Jewish star around our necks, or Mezuzah on our doorposts, or none of the above, we are proud of our heritage. And especially proud of our willingness to speak our own opinion. Neither Netanyahu, Trump, or a best friend can put a hand over our mouth, and bark, "Shush."
How is AIPAC allowed, given that campaign funds for a foreign entity are prohibited by law? I'm also Jewish, named after a Holocaust victim, and firmly opposed the extreme, right-wing, authoritarian government of Benjamin Netanyahu. How can a nation founded by Holocaust survivors support a man who has perpetrated a holocaust on the Gaza Palestinians and been indicted for "crimes against humanity" and "war crimes" for it by the International Criminal Court in The Hague? No Jew can in good conscience sanction such brutality and genocide.
Those who say that to be pro-Israel you have to be pro-Netanyahu is like saying that to be pro-USA you have to be pro-Trump. That is rubbish, pure and simple.
Netanyahu has been charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court for his actions in Gaza that include starvation and the wanton murdering of civilians. Since 2020, he has been charged and is on trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in Israel but the proceedings have been stalled for a number of reasons including his duties as prime minister.
It is high time that our very own homegrown criminal was charged with war crimes by the ICC.
Too bad neither Israel nor the US are signatories to the ICC.
The US response to Netanyahu's ICC indictment has been - to invite him to the US several times and be welcomed by both the GOP and Dems, including allowing him to address Congress...while sanctioning the ICC judges that indicted him.
The sad, sad tale of current day Israel closely reflects our sad tale of life with Trump and his enablers in America. In both democratic countries, the idealistic dream of a "melting pot" civil society, where ethnic and religious differences are tolerently respected rather than disparaged is sadly dying, replaced by a politics of vicious hate. In Israel it has led to a terrible genocide. We, as Jews, who have large families in Israel, know the Palestinian genocide is an utter humiliation, not just for Israel but for Jews worldwide. The fact that Trump seems fused to the hip of Netanyahu tells us much that we fear about Trump's politics in America and where he wants to take our country.
Mayor Biss 29.5%. Kat Abughazaleh 26%. Mayor Biss was a good candidate but I would have voted for progressive Kat Abughazaleh. Will Mayor Biss have the true independence he claims to clearly reassess the relationship between the US and Israel? I doubt it. Hope I am wrong.
But Mayor Biss will be a test case whether so-called progressive J Street supporters of Israel will ever truly standup to Israel or just tut tut.
This article totally ignores the several victories AIPAC had in the Illinois elections.
For one thing, late in the IL-9 nomination race, AIPAC turned its sights on Kat Abughazaleh, who has been a much stronger opponent of Israel's war crimes than Biss.
AIPAC also backed former Rep. Melissa Bean, who won against progressive Junaid Ahmed, and AIPAC-backed Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller beat progressive state Sen. Robert Peters.
Overall, AIPAC's publicly stated, bigger goal of defeating 'Squad' style progressives who are not restrained and compromised in their criticism of Israel's US-backed atrocities was a success. In AIPAC's own words on X, "Life looks pretty good".
Even in Biss's case, AIPAC said "While disappointed Laura Fine didn't prevail, the pro-Israel community is proud to have helped defeat would-be Squad members Kat Abughazaleh and Bushra Amiwala."
Even Juliana Stratton's win wasn't really a defeat for AIPAC, who said afterward that the lobbying group ' looks forward to continuing our long-standing partnership” with Stratton.
The Contrarian only shows concern when so-called 'moderate' Democrats who only give tepid lip service against Israel's increasing violence are challenged by AIPAC.
This outlet's coverage of both Israel's US backed actions, and domestic US policy and events concerning Israel, continues to be tepid and conditioned at best. There has been barely a single word about Israel's killing over over 1000 people in Lebanon in just the past couple of weeks, after months of nearly-daily killings in Lebanon by Israel during the so-called 'ceasefire', or anything about the escalating violence by the IDF and its proxy settlers in the West Bank.
Instead, it continues to approvingly quote supporters of Israel's actions like Biss, who proclaims Israel's right to 'defend itself' while not explaining how genocide, apartheid and constant invasions of sovereign countries are actions of defense.
I am sorry I do not dutifully lavish praise on every word published in 'The Contrarian'. Maybe you are reading the wrong journal and thought you were reading 'The Sycophant'?
Thank you for saying this. I voted for Kat and was happy to see she did so well for a first-time candidate, and in the fact of AIPAC money, too. She is the sort of young progressive that we need now. I hope she will run again. Biss is okay, but Kat would have been fantastic.
Israeli occupation forces have kept the Al-Aqsa compound closed for Eid prayers for the first time in nearly 60 years. Hundreds of Palestinian Muslims held Eid al-Fitr prayers at the gates of the Old City after being prevented from entering.
It marks the first time the site is fully closed on Eid al-Fitr—the holiday on which Muslims mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan—since 1967 when Israel occupied East Jerusalem.
Israeli occupation forces have kept Al-Aqsa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre closed since the launch of the war on Iran.
Thank you Jason. Sadly you provide news that should be reported elsewhere, but isn't. Is there a point to this latest, needless provocation, this incitement of despair and anger? Whatever, it's all going in a terrifying direction.
It’s just crazy - and on top of this, Israel and the US are right now bombing civilians in the densely populated capital of Iran, on the day of Persian New Year.
Kat Abughazaleh was the candidate for actual change. Putting another GOP-lite person on deck to re-arrange the deck chairs on the sinking US Titanic isn't going to help at all.
By all accounts, she ran a terrific campaign and came extremely close to winning. For a newcomer, who doesn’t even live in the district she was running for, to come within 4 points of beating an established politician is remarkable. She should run for something again- lots of successful politicians start their careers with an election loss. Kat should not give up.
First, I congratulate Mayor Biss and Gov Pritzker on their victories, and I'm very glad to see that dark money failed in at least some of the races on Tuesday. It's a shame that a decent guy like Tom Malinowski was the victim of a smear campaign by AIPAC, which has become more and more extreme over time.
It's never made any sense to me that criticism of the government of Israel and its actions is 'anti-semitic' or 'anti-Israel'. That makes as much sense as saying criticism of Donald Trump or ICE or his misbegotten war in Iran are 'unpatriotic' and 'anti-America.' Given the actions of both governments, sensible people SHOULD be questioning how our tax money is being used and challenging their demands for more.
Kudos to Daniel Biss for rejecting AIPAC. It’s time more in the political sphere start to reject dark money. Capping political donations is going to have to be necessary to stop corruption. Political candidates no matter their party must be held fully accountable for how much they accept from donors.
AIPAC is at this point receiving substantial financial support from extreme right-wing oligarchs and dark money groups. The Democratic Party can not and should not allow such forces to shape who gets nominated to run for office under the Democratic Party moniker.
why are there so many rabid folks in the middle east capable of doing horrible acts ? what happened to the israilis was awful and what the israilis did to the palestinians in Gaza was really awful,,,,perhaps they both need a new religion...come to think of it so do many americans...
Jennifer, it was a great relief to read this column. These are confusing times. Hating what has been done in Gaza and is being done in the West Bank as well as what was done on Oct 7 and not being sure that the Iranian war might not be a good idea while avoiding being branded an anti-semite makes my stomach hurt. It's a relief to find that I'm not alone, or at least that's what I concluded from your reporting on what's happened in Evanston.
This is the dawn of a new day and there is hope to light the dark places.
I get money begs from AIPAC every day - if I go to my spam folder to look at them. It has become a right-wing dirty money collective. We simply have to get money out of politics.
There is no doubt that we need campaign finance reform so that the individual's vote means more than the corporate influenced interests. While at it, it's time to get rid of the lobbyists who make sure that the corporate interests are treated well in Congress.
Thank you Jennifer Rubin for this post. Although I live in Chicago and Daniel Biss in nearby Evanston, we share the same views about Israel. Sadly, many Jewish friends condemn our criticism of Netanyahu and his war tactics. The same group bashed us for supporting Mamdami. I appreciate Biss's brave stance, knowing his email will be filled with "how could you's" and "you're a traitor to Israel." Why are Jews expected to behave like a herd, following the leader blindly, without comment or criticism? Just the fact that Netanyahu and Trump are buddies is enough for many Jews to turn our backs to this Prime Ministor and his warring activities. I'm grateful that Evanstonians uplifted this Jewish young man and in their vote confirmed whether Jewish star around our necks, or Mezuzah on our doorposts, or none of the above, we are proud of our heritage. And especially proud of our willingness to speak our own opinion. Neither Netanyahu, Trump, or a best friend can put a hand over our mouth, and bark, "Shush."
How is AIPAC allowed, given that campaign funds for a foreign entity are prohibited by law? I'm also Jewish, named after a Holocaust victim, and firmly opposed the extreme, right-wing, authoritarian government of Benjamin Netanyahu. How can a nation founded by Holocaust survivors support a man who has perpetrated a holocaust on the Gaza Palestinians and been indicted for "crimes against humanity" and "war crimes" for it by the International Criminal Court in The Hague? No Jew can in good conscience sanction such brutality and genocide.
hurt people, hurt people
Those who say that to be pro-Israel you have to be pro-Netanyahu is like saying that to be pro-USA you have to be pro-Trump. That is rubbish, pure and simple.
Netanyahu has been charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court for his actions in Gaza that include starvation and the wanton murdering of civilians. Since 2020, he has been charged and is on trial for bribery, fraud and breach of trust in Israel but the proceedings have been stalled for a number of reasons including his duties as prime minister.
It is high time that our very own homegrown criminal was charged with war crimes by the ICC.
Too bad neither Israel nor the US are signatories to the ICC.
The US response to Netanyahu's ICC indictment has been - to invite him to the US several times and be welcomed by both the GOP and Dems, including allowing him to address Congress...while sanctioning the ICC judges that indicted him.
The sad, sad tale of current day Israel closely reflects our sad tale of life with Trump and his enablers in America. In both democratic countries, the idealistic dream of a "melting pot" civil society, where ethnic and religious differences are tolerently respected rather than disparaged is sadly dying, replaced by a politics of vicious hate. In Israel it has led to a terrible genocide. We, as Jews, who have large families in Israel, know the Palestinian genocide is an utter humiliation, not just for Israel but for Jews worldwide. The fact that Trump seems fused to the hip of Netanyahu tells us much that we fear about Trump's politics in America and where he wants to take our country.
Mayor Biss 29.5%. Kat Abughazaleh 26%. Mayor Biss was a good candidate but I would have voted for progressive Kat Abughazaleh. Will Mayor Biss have the true independence he claims to clearly reassess the relationship between the US and Israel? I doubt it. Hope I am wrong.
But Mayor Biss will be a test case whether so-called progressive J Street supporters of Israel will ever truly standup to Israel or just tut tut.
This article totally ignores the several victories AIPAC had in the Illinois elections.
For one thing, late in the IL-9 nomination race, AIPAC turned its sights on Kat Abughazaleh, who has been a much stronger opponent of Israel's war crimes than Biss.
AIPAC also backed former Rep. Melissa Bean, who won against progressive Junaid Ahmed, and AIPAC-backed Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller beat progressive state Sen. Robert Peters.
Overall, AIPAC's publicly stated, bigger goal of defeating 'Squad' style progressives who are not restrained and compromised in their criticism of Israel's US-backed atrocities was a success. In AIPAC's own words on X, "Life looks pretty good".
Even in Biss's case, AIPAC said "While disappointed Laura Fine didn't prevail, the pro-Israel community is proud to have helped defeat would-be Squad members Kat Abughazaleh and Bushra Amiwala."
Even Juliana Stratton's win wasn't really a defeat for AIPAC, who said afterward that the lobbying group ' looks forward to continuing our long-standing partnership” with Stratton.
The Contrarian only shows concern when so-called 'moderate' Democrats who only give tepid lip service against Israel's increasing violence are challenged by AIPAC.
This outlet's coverage of both Israel's US backed actions, and domestic US policy and events concerning Israel, continues to be tepid and conditioned at best. There has been barely a single word about Israel's killing over over 1000 people in Lebanon in just the past couple of weeks, after months of nearly-daily killings in Lebanon by Israel during the so-called 'ceasefire', or anything about the escalating violence by the IDF and its proxy settlers in the West Bank.
Instead, it continues to approvingly quote supporters of Israel's actions like Biss, who proclaims Israel's right to 'defend itself' while not explaining how genocide, apartheid and constant invasions of sovereign countries are actions of defense.
Beyond discouraging.
I am getting really tired of the massive glaring gaps in The Contrarian's commentary on this broader topic.
perhaps joe rogan would suit you better
Another insightful comment from particia.
I am sorry I do not dutifully lavish praise on every word published in 'The Contrarian'. Maybe you are reading the wrong journal and thought you were reading 'The Sycophant'?
thanks
sometimes he says good things
joe rogan not Jason...
Thank you for saying this. I voted for Kat and was happy to see she did so well for a first-time candidate, and in the fact of AIPAC money, too. She is the sort of young progressive that we need now. I hope she will run again. Biss is okay, but Kat would have been fantastic.
more news from the USA's bff:
Israeli occupation forces have kept the Al-Aqsa compound closed for Eid prayers for the first time in nearly 60 years. Hundreds of Palestinian Muslims held Eid al-Fitr prayers at the gates of the Old City after being prevented from entering.
It marks the first time the site is fully closed on Eid al-Fitr—the holiday on which Muslims mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan—since 1967 when Israel occupied East Jerusalem.
Israeli occupation forces have kept Al-Aqsa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre closed since the launch of the war on Iran.
Thank you Jason. Sadly you provide news that should be reported elsewhere, but isn't. Is there a point to this latest, needless provocation, this incitement of despair and anger? Whatever, it's all going in a terrifying direction.
It’s just crazy - and on top of this, Israel and the US are right now bombing civilians in the densely populated capital of Iran, on the day of Persian New Year.
Kat Abughazaleh was the candidate for actual change. Putting another GOP-lite person on deck to re-arrange the deck chairs on the sinking US Titanic isn't going to help at all.
By all accounts, she ran a terrific campaign and came extremely close to winning. For a newcomer, who doesn’t even live in the district she was running for, to come within 4 points of beating an established politician is remarkable. She should run for something again- lots of successful politicians start their careers with an election loss. Kat should not give up.
Exactly, Graham! Politics ain't bean bag, as the saying goes, and lots of successful politicians take a few hard knocks along the way.
First, I congratulate Mayor Biss and Gov Pritzker on their victories, and I'm very glad to see that dark money failed in at least some of the races on Tuesday. It's a shame that a decent guy like Tom Malinowski was the victim of a smear campaign by AIPAC, which has become more and more extreme over time.
It's never made any sense to me that criticism of the government of Israel and its actions is 'anti-semitic' or 'anti-Israel'. That makes as much sense as saying criticism of Donald Trump or ICE or his misbegotten war in Iran are 'unpatriotic' and 'anti-America.' Given the actions of both governments, sensible people SHOULD be questioning how our tax money is being used and challenging their demands for more.
Great article, Jen! Thank you!
Kudos to Daniel Biss for rejecting AIPAC. It’s time more in the political sphere start to reject dark money. Capping political donations is going to have to be necessary to stop corruption. Political candidates no matter their party must be held fully accountable for how much they accept from donors.
I'm grateful for you calling out the underhanded tactics of AIPAC. It's encouraging to see any and all saying no to dark money in our politics!
AIPAC is at this point receiving substantial financial support from extreme right-wing oligarchs and dark money groups. The Democratic Party can not and should not allow such forces to shape who gets nominated to run for office under the Democratic Party moniker.
This is the closest the Contrarian will come to acknowledging the genocide in Palestine. How disappointing. But I guess it's something.
Do not hold your breath.
why are there so many rabid folks in the middle east capable of doing horrible acts ? what happened to the israilis was awful and what the israilis did to the palestinians in Gaza was really awful,,,,perhaps they both need a new religion...come to think of it so do many americans...
Excellent writing! Thanks Jen! ❤
Jennifer, it was a great relief to read this column. These are confusing times. Hating what has been done in Gaza and is being done in the West Bank as well as what was done on Oct 7 and not being sure that the Iranian war might not be a good idea while avoiding being branded an anti-semite makes my stomach hurt. It's a relief to find that I'm not alone, or at least that's what I concluded from your reporting on what's happened in Evanston.
What trump is doing to the reputation and standing of the US in the world netanyahu is doing to Israël.