James Besser in the Jewish Week reports on the wrangling over the congressional resolution passed this week calling on the U.S. to do anything to keep the Palestinians from issuing a unilateral declaration of statehood. Besser is one of the better and more cynical writers in the Jewish Press. He makes it clear that this was AIPAC's doing.
The resolution was pushed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which sees a big battle over a unilateral declaration as increasingly likely in the wake of recognition by several South American countries. Less enthusiastic was J Street, which said that while it opposes unilateral action, the nonbinding resolution addresses only the single issue of unilateralism, and therefore is unhelpful.
Americans for Peace Now told congressional offices it wasn't taking a position on the legislation...
But the outcome was never in doubt; it's hard for lawmakers not to sign on to such broad-brush, non-binding resolutions endorsed by the pro-Israel lobby. This one, like so many AIPAC-backed resolutions, was artfully constructed to avoid criticism of the administration (to keep Democrats on board) while listing a long list of Palestinian sins.
And, as AIPAC undoubtedly planned, the measure was probably welcomed by some center-left lawmakers who are always looking for ways to boost their pro-Israel credentials without actually saying anything controversial.
And all of those allegedly liberal Dems signed on with the right wing Israeli lobby radicals. Because Weiner, Ackerman, Berman, Berekly, hell even Sheila Jackson Lee. Progressives really need to start drawing a line in the sand on these issues. Making a distinction between liberal Reps who are consistent in their voting for progressive and fair legislation. Instead of continuing to bend over and undermine U.S. national Security by supporting Israel no matter how many illegal settlements they expand.
The I lobby and Israel have kicked the Obama administration in the cajones the way they have with every administration who has demanded that the illegal settlements stop.
“And, as AIPAC undoubtedly planned, the measure was probably welcomed by some center-left lawmakers who are always looking for ways to boost their pro-Israel credentials without actually saying anything controversial.”
Those Reps who are looked at as “center left” are not “center left”. The quicker people come to draw this distinction the better. These votes are not only wrong they undermine U.S. national security over and over again
No wonder no administration (or even 3rd level DoS under-under-assistant-secretary) has ever mentioned with approval the idea of the removal of all settlers. “Settlement freeze”, known to be a not-happening event, is as far as they can go, even as stagy science-fiction.
Hey, hey Israel Lobby and your congressional stooges, how many GIs did you kill today?
“keep the Palestinians from issuing a unilateral declaration of statehood”
From Wiki:
The declaration of a State of Palestine (Arabic: دولة فلسطين) took place in Algiers on November 15, 1988, by the Palestinian National Council, the legislative body of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO).
What they’re really fighting is recognition of a 22 year old declaration, right? (I just learned about this, it was news to me)
Maggielorainne, the 1988 Palestinian declaration of statehood has already been recognized by over 100 nations and the UN and the Palestinian passport is already accepted by about 30 countries but the collaborating Palestinian leaders by threatening to declare it again are playing along with Israel’s and the US’ attempts to make everyone forget that little fact.
Everything you ever needed to know about US foreign policy in a nutshell link to darultavhid.com?
The US Congress is acting in a responsible manner. If we have learned anything from history it is that unilateral moves make things more complicated and usually make more people suffer. The fact that there was no agreement in 1948 about how to form the two states, and each side acted on its own, ended in what the Palestinians themselves call a catastrophe. The Israeli unilateral withdrawal from Gaza led to unforeseen results which are currently regretted by Europe and the US who supported the move. It hasn’t helped the Palestinian cause and has become a source of disunity.
Unilateral moves are a recipe for failure. The Palestinians and Israelis are too connected economically and security wise. Only a negotiated agreement will bring peace and prosperity. Unilateral moves will only bring additional strife and economic hardships to both sides.
” If we have learned anything from history it is that unilateral moves make things more complicated and usually make more people suffer. The fact that there was no agreement in 1948 about how to form the two states, and each side acted on its own, ended in what the Palestinians themselves call a catastrophe.”
So you agree that the Israeli unilateral declaration of the state was a mistake. Good start.
Fuck J-Street, it has no business “oppos[ing] unilateral action” by other countries to finally do what morality, prudence and international law all demand: Recognize and establish a Palestinian State with pre-1967 borders.
Only war criminals and racist/religious suprematists oppose this.