Joe Biden is dithering on his promise to return to the Iran deal, under pressure from Bob Menendez and other Democrats beholden to the Israel lobby. The lobby’s ability to influence the White House’s definition of the American interest in the Middle East in Israel’s favor is a longstanding tradition, and it’s just a pity the media continually fall for it.

On Monday, the Democratic National Committee’s platform committee voted down an amendment that would have added the word “occupation” to its platform and conditioned aid to Israel if the country moved forward with its proposed annexation of the West Bank.

The DNC’s list of nominees to the platform committee ahead of the 2020 convention is stacked with pro-Israel advocates, including rightwingers with AIPAC connections. The DNC is planning to battle against the progressive wing on Israel, opposing BDS and with all its guns a-blazin. If you wonder why Buttigieg and Warren seem to have tempered their criticisms of Israel, this is why.