J Street asked several democratic candidates for president to comment on aid to Israel. Their responses reflect the growing movement in the US to condition aid on treatment of Palestinians – but don’t get too excited.
Philip Giralidi: Israel’s interference in U.S. politics is highly organized, generously funded and ongoing at every level of government to obscure what Israel actually represents. Why won’t Bacevich and the Soros-Koch funded institute talk about it? All about the Benjamins…
In the midst of a campaign by Palestinian journalists accusing Facebook of suppressing their content, Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl Sandberg, has pledged $2.5 million to the ADL, an organization that devotes much of its work to Israel advocacy…
Palestinian children are regularly detained, tortured, and prosecuted by Israel. Few Congress members are motivated to make it stop.
Overall, Bernie Sanders has taken the boldest stand for Palestinian human rights, but has pulled back to “safe” positions more than once; Elizabeth Warren has a history of support for Israel despite its long, systemic record of human rights abuses, but seems willing to respond to pressure from voters. Neither has advocated for full Palestinian rights and justice. See a detailed report on Sanders’ and Warrens’ position on Palestine…
On the critical issue of Israel/Palestine, Democratic presidential hopefuls reveal a strong pro-Israel leaning that does not match the sentiments of a huge swath of Democratic voters.
Racism was part of the birth of the state of Israel; apartheid is part of its fabric. Nelson Mandela agreed. Palestinians struggle for equality, as do people of color (both Jewish and non-Jewish).
Rabbi Daniel Lehmann, with a history of advocating for Israel despite its many human rights abuses, is about to be inaugurated president of the ‘most comprehensive center for the graduate study of religion in North America’ – a ‘mostly-Christian’ center with a focus on peace and justice. Lehmann has already opposed a prominent Muslim professor and aired misgivings about America’s first Muslim college, located right across the street… Rabbi Lehmann is known for his fundraising ability.
Alison Weir’s 2013 letter to the ADL thanks it for including IAK in the “top 10 anti-Israel organizations” – i.e. most effective & committed groups working for justice and human rights for Palestinians. She suggests that since the ADL’s smear campaign against Palestine advocacy groups enables it to raise millions of dollars, the ADL should give the groups a finder’s fee/commission…”
Each month, numerous NGOs produce reports on the humanitarian situation in Israel-Palestine, but US media rarely report on them. See this compilation of reports by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, National Lawyers Guild, Red Cross, Christian Aid, B’Tselem, Defense for Children International, and others…