Lapid Proposes US Tour After Midterm Defeat; NYC Lawmaker Rebuffs Plan
Opposition leader Yair Lapid urges a listening tour to restore ties with Washington, while Congressman-elect Brad Lander argues for policy changes over speeches.
By Yasmin Nasser ·
One day after US midterm elections resulted in a Democratic sweep, Yair Lapid wrote that America is not lost. He urged incoming Israeli leaders to launch a listening tour across the United States to restore bipartisan support.
The elections elevated a group of anti-Israel politicians to public office in the House and Senate. This shift comes as public opinion of Israel has fallen sharply in the US. Voters expressed anger regarding the Iran war, which the US and Israel launched jointly in February.
Lapid, the No. 2 figure in the opposition B’Yachad party, posted in Hebrew on X on Wednesday. He argued that the current right-wing Israeli government led by Prime Minister Netanyahu had become toxic. He stated that most Democratic officials oppose the coalition rather than the Jewish state itself.
Lapid proposed that Israeli leaders visit not just politicians but also leaders from US Jewry and other religious and ethnic communities. He emphasized that the first delegation from the next government must visit the White House and Congress with both parties. He called for delegations to tour America to meet governors, local officials, media figures, and religious leaders.
He noted that Jewish communities are hungry to meet with Israeli leaders. He also urged outreach to Hispanics, Afro-American churches, and young evangelists. Lapid concluded by stating that America is waiting for someone to talk to it again.
Hours after the post, New York Congressman-elect Brad Lander rejected the plan. Lander, who identifies as a liberal Zionist and will represent parts of New York City beginning next year, said US voters seek adherence to international law and human rights. He argued that voters are not looking for barnstorming.
Lander stated, You are not listening to what American voters, Jewish and non-Jewish, are saying. He added that the public is hungry to see respect for international law and human rights.
Lapid responded to the criticism in an English post on social media. He acknowledged that some people will oppose Israel regardless of actions. He said he is interested in those who are willing to listen and engage to repair the relationship between the two countries.
