Why Israel crisis makes Tommy Tuberville’s military promotions blockade even worse: analysis

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) has drawn a great deal of criticism from Senate Democrats and the Biden Administration — as well as from Never Trump conservatives — for holding up military promotions in response to abortion policies for women serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

After Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, Tuberville didn't back down from his position — much to the chagrin of both Democrats and the Alabama senator's conservative critics.

In a MaddowBlog column published on October 11, MSNBC's Steve Benen lays out some reasons why Tuberville's position is bad for Israel during its war against Hamas.

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"Those who know what they're talking about have tried to make clear to the far-right senator that he has reality backwards, and that his blockade is actually undermining his own country's armed forces," Benen explains. "So far, however, Tuberville has convinced himself that he's right and military leaders are wrong. It was against this backdrop that Defense Department officials provided senators with a briefing this week on the crisis in Israel."

Benen notes that according to Politico's reporting on the briefing, "nine senior military positions in the command responsible for the Middle East" were "facing disruptions due to Tuberville's holds."

Benen notes, "The briefing on conditions in Israel came roughly 48 hours after the far-right senator's office said Tuberville has no intention of abandoning his blockade, regardless of the crisis in the Middle East. His spokesperson added Tuberville would shift gears if the Pentagon gave in to the GOP senator's demands and ended reimbursement benefits for U.S. troops."

READ MORE: Armed Forces leaders blast Tommy Tuberville in scathing op-ed

Read Steve Benen's full MSNBC column at this link.