Adam Horowitz (filing from the mid-Atlantic):
Both the House (H. Res 34) and Senate (S. Res. 10) bills that just
passed supporting the Israeli invasion in lockstep included the phrase, "expresses
vigorous support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and
survival of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state." This would seem to be a long way from supporting those under fire in Sderot. Especially considering that at least 20% of Israel itself believe that "a Jewish and democratic state" is a contradiction in terms.
The Palestinian NGO Adalah
has done comprehensive research on at least 20 laws in Israel that
give exclusive and special rights to Jewish citizens of Israel over
non-Jewish citizens. This is to say nothing about the 2.5 million Palestinians in the occupied West Bank who have absolutely no rights in Israel and
have been under Israeli control for over 40 years, and of course nothing
of the 1.5 million Palestinians similarly under occupation, many of whom are currently being massacred. Some democracy. Even Abbas won't agree to
this "Jewish and democratic state" nonsense.
Is the US Congress
expressing support for a democracy that offers equality for one
religion and ethnicity? Does the US congress think that this system is
worth supporting a war over? Is this a system that reflects US values
in 2009? Do they believe that this system can lead to anything other
than perpetual conflict?
Both bills also include the call to support and encourage "efforts to diminish the appeal and influence of extremists in the Palestinian territories and to strengthen moderate Palestinians who are committed
to a secure and lasting peace with Israel." If this means finding Palestinians who will sign off on supporting the Israeli "Jewish and democratic" apartheid state, then the Congress has cut out more work for itself than it thinks.
