Israel, Israel, Israel!
Some politicians take pandering to video game God mode.
“It’s not that Israel needs America, America needs Israel”
-Nimrata Haley, at the Republican Debate
Politicians are famously known for pandering to special interests. Whether to court certain voting blocs or titans of industry and corporate donors, this isn’t a big reveal. There are websites devoted entirely to the purpose of documenting how much, down to the cent, that politicians receive from these special interest groups. While it can run the gamut from cringe to hilarity at the length some politicians will go to sway support, some actions step over the bounds of pandering to being outright dangerous to American interests.
Nikki Nikki Nikki
Nikki Haley’s support for Israel and her policies are well documented throughout her tenure as governor of South Carolina and as a former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. So it wasn’t a surprise to see her make the oft-repeated trek overseas that many American legislatures make to this tiny Middle Eastern nation.1 Most should be used to seeing the usual pomp and decorum of photo ops at the Wailing Wall and declarations of American support.
While Haley’s bona fides as a Neoconservative queen are unquestionable, it was still shocking was to see her personally autograph Israeli Army munitions slated to be utilized in the current conflict against forces in Gaza. Why she would think this helps American interests in the region is beyond me. Things haven’t been going all that great lately and this stunt doesn’t help.
An American politician writing high school hearts on US-made bombs being dropped on majority Muslim populations is not a good look. A reasonable person shouldn’t need a degree in international relations to see the absence of Realpolitik by these actions. Some were quick to defend this by pointing out the practice of writing on bombs has a long historical precedence. And yes, it is a tradition. I wrote a few msgs myself during GWOT. While WE were at war. Not while being an American politician in a foreign nation writing on bombs we made that they are using in their conflict. When you are to the right of The Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin then you know you’ve gone too far.
Furthermore, Israel is going to do what Israel is going to do. Their business, not ours. An over-the-top display of fealty by Haley was not needed and ultimately sends a tactile signal to regional extremists that Israel has the blessings of the US NeoCon wing. This isn't the first semi-annual Middle Eastern picnic we've seen over the last few decades that involve these factions. Signs and actions by U.S officials are heavily scrutinized for propaganda and incitement purposes by Islamic extremist groups so for Haley to do this was careless at best; willful malice at worst.
American Politicians writing cutesy messages and little hearts on bombs being used in a (any) foreign conflict is not a good look and does nothing for American safety. If/when the next Islamic terrorist attack happens against the USA in a proxy strike; whether at an overseas base or within the country, NeoCon politicians like Haley (and others) will practically fight each other to get in front of the media cameras to declare how "tough" they are and that they're willing to send others to retaliate for it-while absconding any blame for helping to fan the flames of extremists.
Links:
‘Nikki Haley criticized for writing ‘Finish Them!’ on artillery shell in Israel
Experts say Israel used U.S.-made bomb in deadly Rafah strike
‘The latest mass killing of civilians brings Israel to an inflection point
US Pier for Gaza Aid Being Removed for Repairs After Rough Seas
Live by the Law or Die on the Cross: Israel must stop pretending it is a nation like any other
On Hillary Clinton's Pandering
This phenomenon of American public officials, from senators, state governors, and even U.S. city mayors making pilgrimages to Israel requires an entirely separate essay-which I will not get into in this piece.
We need to end all foreign funding and lock her behind bars