“How can a public figure not see the difference between right and wrong? This is such a basic choice”
It was a particularly blustery day, and I had a meeting scheduled with Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri. Some of his Orthodox Jewish constituents were invited and joined on Zoom, and our time together was productive.
As the meeting was wrapping up, I thanked Senator Hawley for his strong and vocal support for Israel. His reaction surprised me: “How can a public figure not see the difference between right and wrong? This is such a basic choice,” he said. His staff was already rushing him to his next engagement, and I didn’t have time to respond.
Honestly, though, I wasn’t even sure I had an immediate response. We all know that Israel continues to enjoy strong bipartisan support from the leadership and majority of Congress. Still, not every rank-and-file member is rushing to loudly proclaim his or her support for Israel. Why are we not seeing unequivocal, wall-to-wall support for America’s great ally? Indeed, how can a public figure “not see the difference between right and wrong?”
Over the past few weeks, I’ve spoken to dozens of lawmakers and their staff, and I think an answer is coming into focus.
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