It is very clear what his orientation is, one that I do not always agree with, but at the same time, I do find his view interesting enough to share with the Lerhaus New Shul community. As a side note: All opinions welcome , but Ad Hominem attacks and defensiveness in light of what he wrote are not encouraged here . . . . . .
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Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders all criticize Israeli treatment of Palestinians, especially in Gaza. One would expect that at the start of Israel’s bombing campaign of Gazan Arabs, they’d be all over Twitter and giving speeches criticizing Israel.
Yet, nothing.
None of them have said a word publicly about what’s happening.
Only Vice President Biden and Pete Buttigieg commented, saying, “Israel has a right to defend itself against terrorist threats. It is intolerable that Israeli civilians live their lives under the constant fear of rocket attacks. That’s why our administration was such a strong supporter of Israel’s life-saving Iron Dome.”
Yet, nothing.
None of them have said a word publicly about what’s happening.
Only Vice President Biden and Pete Buttigieg commented, saying, “Israel has a right to defend itself against terrorist threats. It is intolerable that Israeli civilians live their lives under the constant fear of rocket attacks. That’s why our administration was such a strong supporter of Israel’s life-saving Iron Dome.”
Why haven’t Warren or Sanders criticized Israel?
Let me explain.
The Democratic Party is split between establishment figures like Vice President Biden and Kamila Harris and Progressives like Sanders and Warren. In order to gain traction, Sanders and War
The Democratic Party is split between establishment figures like Vice President Biden and Kamila Harris and Progressives like Sanders and Warren. In order to gain traction, Sanders and War
ren need to appeal to progressives. One of the progressives positions is a firm anti-Israel and Pro-Palestinian stance in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. To grab their attention, these candidates have to make comments that speak to them. Sanders and Warren say things like they’ll condition aid to Israel on Israel’s policies towards the Palestinians.
From their time in the Senate and their foreign policy experience, they know that Israel’s policies are fair and due to the security threat Palestinian terrorists pose, can’t be changed. That’s why you’ll never hear them suggest any actual changes Israel should make. Although they’re being pandered to, progressives are too superficial to notice the difference and walk away satisfied that “they’ve shifted the conversation.” Progressives – and the more aggressive they are, the truer this becomes – are rarely interested or willing to do the work to actually change facts on the ground. They enjoy making noise.
From their time in the Senate and their foreign policy experience, they know that Israel’s policies are fair and due to the security threat Palestinian terrorists pose, can’t be changed. That’s why you’ll never hear them suggest any actual changes Israel should make. Although they’re being pandered to, progressives are too superficial to notice the difference and walk away satisfied that “they’ve shifted the conversation.” Progressives – and the more aggressive they are, the truer this becomes – are rarely interested or willing to do the work to actually change facts on the ground. They enjoy making noise.
When a conflict actually breaks out, one in which only the most irrational or biased of people wouldn’t understand Israel’s right to defend itself and eliminate terrorists, these candidates are stuck. If they pander to the progressives and criticize Israel, they’ll be promoting ridiculous policy – that a country can’t defend itself. If they declare Israel’s right to defend itself, they’ll upset their base of supporters. What do they do?
Like cowards, they remain quiet. They demonstrate that political popularity is more important to them than principled leadership. Most importantly, they signal to people like me that they’re not ready to lead.
Like cowards, they remain quiet. They demonstrate that political popularity is more important to them than principled leadership. Most importantly, they signal to people like me that they’re not ready to lead.
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