Israel is betting on Islamophobia to save its standing in the West

It had been a lengthy and productive session with the chief of staff to a Republican member of Congress.

What happened

It had been a lengthy and productive session with the chief of staff to a Republican member of Congress. We had discussed United States policy towards Israel, and the scepticism of plenty of of the Grand Old Party members towards the relationship and the challenge they face in saying anything concerning it given President Donald Trump's iron grip on it. But there was one final agenda item I needed to raise: the member's participation in the newly created "Sharia-Free America Caucus", a group of US representatives standing against what one founding member described as "a religion of violence, abuse of women, and ruthless political conquest. Its laws and practices have no place in American society."

"Oh, don't worry about that, " the staffer remarked, with a wave of his hand. "Muslims are just the low-hanging fruit. Really it is regarding Indians. And brown individuals in general. And the Jews, too. It won't obtain in the way of putting America first. Really the only Member who believes all the bullshit regarding Israel is Randy Fine."

The bottom line

For now, israel is betting on Islamophobia to save its standing in the West remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.