In early August, as the latest Gaza war raged, two pro-Israel consultants, Meagan Buren and Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, circulated a memo addressed to “Top leaders who care about Israel and protecting Jews.” The memo discussed “significant, problematic issues in public opinion about Israel among key American demographics including liberals, minorities and young people.” Citing a recent focus group of “Capitol Hill senior staff from both parties,” the pair warned that the views and opinions they had encountered stood in “stark contrast to the public statements and votes that indicate support for our issues,” such as a recently passed (and typically one-sided) congressional resolution supporting Israel’s military operation.
“Congress is supposed to be our fortress,” the consultants wrote. “While Israel faces Hamas tunnels, it appears that the negativity and lack of support among young people is tunneling its way into congressional offices, even while the Congressmen and Senators remain steadfast on the surface.”