There isn’t a more prominent voice amongst the American Eastablishment than New York Times columnist Tom Friedman (I personally have very low regard for the man). A recent survey by Beltway publication National Journal listed Friedman as the most influential pundit as ranked by political operatives. So Friedman, whatever the merits, carries weight in the thinking by officials in Washington.

That is why Friedman’s new column should worry pro-Israelis:

“Let’s just get out of the picture. Let all these leaders stand in front of their own people and tell them the truth: “My fellow citizens: Nothing is happening; nothing is going to happen. It’s just you and me and the problem we own.”

Indeed, it’s time for us to dust off James Baker’s line: “When you’re serious, give us a call: 202-456-1414. Ask for Barack. Otherwise, stay out of our lives. We have our own country to fix.” . . .

If the status quo is this tolerable for the parties, then I say, let them enjoy it. I just don’t want to subsidize it or anesthetize it anymore. We need to fix America. If and when they get serious, they’ll find us.”

Friedman is implicitly calling for the end of aid to Israel by calling for an end to subsidies. Friedman’s words will now echo throughout the Beltway as many more previously knee-jerk pro-Israel columnists begin to question the merits of unconditional U.S. support for Israel. More and more people now, seeking the legitimacy of such views given the Friedman endorsement, may now begin to utter such a previously beyond-the-pale statement.

This has to be seen as a new style of discourse in the U.S over Israel. And Friedman is not only. Former Clinton operative and current Time columnist Joe Klein goes further than Freidman and explicity calls for ending aid to Israel:

“[the United States] should start by putting a hold on all economic and military aid to Israel; the aid should not be discontinued, just held, for a nice long review until the Netanyahu government comes to understand that Jerusalem must be the capital of both Israel and Palestine, and that if you actually want peace, you don’t build illegal settlement colonies in the Palestinian capital.”

Times’ sure a changin’. Will it make a difference. Words do not turn into campaign contributions. And pro-Israel groups are still very powerful. But if the debate can be opened up, then Israel’s image will suffer and maybe an American Left will finally embrace the Palestinian cause and begin to apply pressure on Democrats to put pressure on Israel to give the Palestinians their fair and due justice. Maybe. Possible. Pray.