The Michigan primaries were stress-inducing for both parties. Trump continued to show an inability to break beyond his base. And Biden was weighed down by more than 100,000 Michiganders who voted “uncommitted” to protest against his Israel/Gaza policies. A few quick thoughts on that protest vote. First, voters have the right to be angry, frustrated, and saddened by what’s going on in Gaza, but if this uncommitted movement extends to the general election and helps elect the treacherous architect of the Muslim ban (and Bibi’s dream candidate), then its organizers should be committed. Second, it’s worth keeping in mind that Biden’s primary job when it comes to the Middle East crisis is keeping it from spreading into a wider regional and even global war that could threaten the lives of Americans. And on that score, he’s managed to do a pretty good job. Third, there’s an element that has been completely lost in all the protests calling for a ceasefire: The monstrous terror organization that started this war with acts of murder, rape, and kidnapping have thus far refused to agree to a ceasefire. NYT: Hamas Rejects Cease-Fire Proposal, Dashing Biden’s Hopes of Near Term Deal.

+ “Hard to believe, but Netanyahu is ready to sacrifice Israel’s hard-won international legitimacy for his personal political needs. He will not hesitate to take Biden down with him.” Tom Friedman in the NYT (Gift Article): Israel Is Losing Its Greatest Asset: Acceptance. “I don’t think Israelis or the Biden administration fully appreciate the rage that is bubbling up around the world, fueled by social media and TV footage, over the deaths of so many thousands of Palestinian civilians, particularly children, with U.S.-supplied weapons in Israel’s war in Gaza. Hamas has much to answer for in triggering this human tragedy, but Israel and the U.S. are seen as driving events now and getting most of the blame.”