Commentary Roundup: Democrats' Israel Stance, Trump's Appeal, and More

Democratic leaders may find short-term relief by aligning with the international left on Israel, but this approach could lead to significant future problems, according to Barton Swaim in The Wall Street Journal. Swaim argues that the "anti-Zionists" with whom Democrats are forming coalitions "despise democratic politics" and are unwilling to compromise. He points to instances where these groups have disrupted events and expressed animosity towards Jewish Democrats, suggesting that party leaders do not understand that these factions would prefer to dismantle the party rather than moderate their views.

In an analysis by Michael Barone for The Washington Examiner, the moment President Trump worked at a McDonald's drive-thru is identified as a defining event of the 2024 presidential campaign. Barone suggests this action portrayed Trump as approachable and respectful of ordinary workers. However, the piece posits that Trump's political standing has suffered from a perception that he now serves himself rather than his constituents, particularly as prices rise due to tariffs and the Middle East conflict. The author notes a correlation between Trump's job approval ratings and gas prices, indicating that convincing voters that "President Trump is for you" remains a challenge.

Concerns regarding potential biological weapons research in Russia are raised by Ivana Stradner and Mark Montgomery in The Hill. They note Moscow's denial of plague rumors following the death of a technician at the Irkutsk Research Anti-Plague Institute from an unspecified illness. The authors highlight Russia's historical interest in weaponizing disease and express skepticism about the transparency of investigations, referencing a past incident involving an anthrax release. They suggest that if the reported death was indeed due to pneumonia, Russia should have no objections to an independent and transparent investigation.

Seth Mandel, writing for Commentary, observes what he describes as Barack Obama's persistent focus on Israel since leaving office. Mandel criticizes a recent speech by the former president in which he allegedly claimed "Jewish people" "took land" in the Middle East. Mandel asserts that Jews legally purchased land in the region and that their presence did not involve displacement. He suggests Obama's fixation stems from his perceived failures in the Middle East and his desire to preserve his legacy, even at the expense of Israel's security.

In The Free Press, neuropsychologist Katie Davis reports on a trend where parents seek learning disability diagnoses for their children, particularly to obtain academic accommodations like extended test times. Davis notes that this practice is more easily exploited in private schools, where such accommodations can become commonplace and diminish the meaning of time constraints. She contrasts this with public schools, which have more structured systems to limit such gaming. Davis argues that this commodification of accommodations disadvantages students who cannot afford them and suggests that the focus should be on teaching children how to manage challenges directly.