Gaza Crisis: Test for Dems

[Tom Joad]

By M.J. Rosenberg

The crisis in Gaza continues and so does the silence here in Washington.
Not surprisingly, the Bush administration chooses not to be engaged. Between Korea, Iran and Iraq, it has a full plate. But Israel-Palestine is one area where US involvement can make a difference. If anyone can put over a ceasefire, Secretary of State Rice can. But, with little pressure on the administration to take action, it chooses not to.

But where are the Democrats? Has a single would-be Presidential candidate said anything about Gaza? I think not. And the reason is obvious. Democrats, even more than Republicans, are afraid of saying or doing anything that might offend pro-Israel donors. And, knowing little about those donors, they assume that they are all hawks on Israel.

This is, of course, what AIPAC tells them. But the polls tell a different story. American Jews are pro-Israel. But that is precisely why they want to see Israel moving toward peace with the Palestinians. Professional pro-Israel Lobbyists may like the status quo, but the Jewish grassroots understands that the status quo is killing Israel's hopes for the future, along with those of the Palestinians.

Myths about Jewish attitudes are more prevalent on Capitol Hill than in the Deep South.... Please read more... http://americaabroad.tpmcafe.com/blog/mjrosenberg/2006/jul/11/gaza_crisis_test_for_dems
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That a Jewish American would write something critical of the status quo on Israel/Palestine comes as no surprise at all to me. That he was being critical of AIPAC, that's no surprise either. That the writer is himself a former employee of AIPAC, well that is a little surprising.

BIO: M.J. Rosenberg is Director of Policy for Israel Policy Forum, an organization supporting US efforts to advance an Israeli-Palestinian agreement. Previously, he worked on Capitol Hill for various Democratic members of the House and Senate for 15 years. He was also a Clinton political appointee at USAID. In the early 1980s, he was editor of AIPACs weekly newsletter Near East Report.

[Jim Sagle]

1. "That the writer is himself a former employee of AIPAC, well that

is a litle surprising."

That you posted it is not surprising at all.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

2. a stranglehold over our country's foreign policy.

and that sucks.

[sabbat hunter]

5. who has a strangle hold over

our foreign policy?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. AIPAC

[sabbat hunter]

8. are you serious?

they are merely one player in the lobby gang. do you really think that the american-israeli political action committee controls our foreign policy? any proof of this?

[ChairmanAgnostic]

12. perhaps "control" is a tad strong. how about,

"has an unnerving, dangerous, disturbing and extremely powerful influence over"

moreover, much of the lobby gang, as you accurately call them, are far more concerned with enriching their masters' pockets with special entitlements, special clauses in legislation, and earmarks - all of which influence, control and corrupt DOMESTIC policies. I am aware of not one lobbying group that comes close to approaching the influence and power exerted by AIPAC, nor the blackmail of elected officials to vote pro-Israel, lest they lose campaign donations, or worse, become "blacklisted" by AIPAC.

[DELUSIONAL]

3. The strongest voices against the Gaza invasion do seem to be

from Jewish writers.

If the peace movement in Israel had more international support perhaps they could force their leaders to behave in a civilized and rational manner.

But the dems are as silent as the GOPigs.

[AnOhioan]

4. One Dem is speaking up.......

From his website http://www.kucinich.us/

Congressman Kucinich issued the following statement this week on the current situation in the Middle East:

"The lack of proportionality of Israel's response to the kidnapping of the soldier compounds a human rights disaster which has been building in the Palestinian territories and could set the stage for reigniting a cycle of extreme violence.

"The world community, led by the United States and Israel, must see the humanitarian imperative of relieving the suffering of innocent people in Palestine who are without the most basic of human necessities such as food, water, electricity, health care, housing, and economic security, in part because they exercised their right to self determination.

"The Hamas government needs to ensure the safe return of Cpl. Shalit and renounce its previous statements calling for the destruction of Israel, and end attacks against innocent Israeli civilians.

"Likewise, the Israeli government needs to halt its incursion into Gaza, withdraw its troops, facilitate payments to Palestinian civil servants, and renew its commitment to a viable two state solution which will ensure the survival of both the Palestinian and Israeli people. Such a commitment can only come about from a common recognition of common humanity.

"The governments of Israel and Palestine should exercise caution and compassion in the name of joint security and peace in the region. Peace will not prevail unless both sides are willing to call a cease fire, stop provocations and make concessions for their joint security, ensuring peace through building enduring structures for social and economic justice.

"The United States, which has played a role in building tensions, can ameliorate them by pursuing peaceful diplomatic initiatives to end the cycle of violence. The world community is best served by helping warring factions step back from the brink of war and begin a new effort to achieve a lasting peace. The United States has the moral obligation to lead this effort."

Dennis consistently advocates treating both Israeal and Palestine equally. Both parties are accountable for the continuing violence and favoring one over the other is making us accountable as well.

[Tom Joad]

7. Thanks so much for posting this. Okay, now we need to here the

same from Barbara Lee.

I still think we need make sure Israel is held accountable for its attacks in the Gaza Strip and violations of the US Arms Export Control Act and Foreign Assistance Act. I think this is at least a start.

[sabbat hunter]

9. what about

the terror attacks on israel? how about holding them responsible?

[cracksquirrel]

10. Quite simply never going to happen.

The Democrats would do well to stay exactly where they are on this issue. It's one of the few things the Dem establishment is getting right these days...

[MrPrax]

11. Not just writers...

It's the Israeli public as well...

(note the spin here, but look at the poll stats)

-------------
Israelis give government good grades for response to Gaza situation

The government's conduct in the situation created by the kidnapping of the soldier Gilad Shalit currently wins quite good grades from most of the public, according to a new poll published by professors Ephraim Yaar and Tamar Hermann of Tel Aviv University.

Nevertheless, the majority identifies with the statement that it is unfair that the kidnapping drew such a severe response, whereas Israel's reaction to the ongoing Kassam fire on Sderot has been relatively restrained.

(snip)

Slightly over half the public (52 percent) sees the government as acting properly in the situation created by the kidnapping of Gilad Shalit, while one-third views it as failing the test (This one-third is made up, as would be expected, of voters for the opposition parties from the Right - Likud, National Union/National Religious Party and Israel Beiteinu.) Yet, at the same time, a 54% majority identifies with the claim that it is unfair that Israel reacted to the kidnapping with such severity, including the arrests of Palestinian members of parliament from Hamas, while responding with more restrained measures to the ongoing Kassam fire on Sderot.

JPost

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Even the Israelis themselves are not sold on what their shaky unstable ME government coalition armed with 200 nuclear warheads (that we know of) is doing...

But it is good to see a lot of solidarity with the old Likud government has moved seamlessly to the 'new' government by many at I/P...never missing a beat.