After flexing its muscles on congressional earmarks, the Tea Party is threatening yet another Republican shibboleth: aid for Israel. Israel and its American advocates have traditionally received staunch support and ample foreign aid from Congress. With the Tea Party midterm surge and consequent focus on budget cuts, however, some Republican legislators are signaling a possible easing of American largesse, reports the New York Times. Incoming-Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky informed the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee during a meeting that disagreement over foreign aid was inevitable and that the parties should press on to other topics. The situation is ironic, given that many Republicans successfully campaigned by critiquing the Obama administration's tougher stance toward Israel. In a sign of confidence, the Anti-Defamation League has warned that "the administration has to take into account that Israel now has a friendlier forum" after the midterms and must "think carefully about doing things." Tea Party Republicans remain largely cryptic on aid for Israel. If pressure from Tea Party constituents becomes strong enough, however, some newly elected Republicans may challenge American political orthodoxy on the issue.
No comments:
Post a Comment