The Times of Israel senior analyst Haviv Rettig Gur argues that Israel's status as a mandatory campaign stop for US presidential candidates remains intact, citing the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham and recent visits by Rahm Emanuel and Rep. Ro Khanna as evidence of the enduring bipartisan interest.
Haviv Rettig Gur, senior analyst at The Times of Israel, published an analysis piece Tuesday evening arguing that Israel remains the first campaign stop for aspiring US presidents, even as the political landscape shifts. The piece, published amid the wave of Israeli tributes following Sen. Lindsey Graham's sudden death, cites recent visits by former Obama administration official Rahm Emanuel and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) as evidence that both parties still see Israel as a bellwether for foreign policy credibility. Rettig Gur notes that Graham's death — a key bipartisan bridge — raises questions about who will fill his role, but the steady stream of visits suggests the pattern is entrenched. The analysis draws on decades of campaign history, positioning Israel's centrality in US politics as a structural reality rather than a partisan loyalty. The full article is available on The Times of Israel's website.
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