Chicago Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg ignited backlash by stating he'd prefer to see Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu removed over Hamas, a recognized terrorist group—an explosive remark made at last month's Democratic National Convention.
Chicago Sun-Times columnist Neil Steinberg sparked outrage with a controversial statement in his Tuesday column, expressing a preference for Hamas over Israel’s democratically elected leader. Steinberg wrote: “If I had a choice between getting rid of Hamas and getting rid of Netanyahu, I’d choose Netanyahu.”
Attempting to justify his position, Steinberg argued that Hamas could easily be replaced by another terror group, whereas he believed Israel could not have a worse leader than Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His remark, made last month at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, came during a conversation with a diplomat and was later published in his column. Despite acknowledging the "rudeness" of his comment, Steinberg appeared unapologetic.
While the remainder of Steinberg’s analysis criticized both Palestinian and Israeli leadership, his earlier statement dominated attention. He pointed out the historical failures of Palestinian military efforts and highlighted Israel’s long-term management of the conflict. However, the suggestion that Hamas—a group internationally recognized as a terrorist organization—was preferable to an elected leader prompted strong reactions.
Democrats continue to grapple with the growing anti-Israel sentiment within their party. While Vice President Kamala Harris has affirmed her support for continued aid to Israel, she is expected to adopt a more critical stance than President Biden. Notably, her administration has seen the appointment of several aides with anti-Israel leanings, according to reports from *The Washington Post*.
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