A coalition of progressive organizations has launched a campaign aimed at pressuring Democratic candidates into skipping the annual American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) policy conference in Washington.
“Well if I do go — I don’t think I am, I don’t think it’s going to be on my schedule — but you know, I have no objection to going, but the question is what I say when I get there. That’s the point. And what I will say is something that I have said for years, and I speak as somebody who’s Jewish, and that is we need a foreign policy in this country, we need a Mideast policy which absolutely protects the integrity and the independence and safety of Israel, but also understands that the Palestinian people have needs and they have got to be treated with respect and dignity. And that is not the case right now. So that is my view. We will treat all people with respect and dignity.”
When the subject came up at recent debate, Pete Buttigieg seemed to distance himself from his previous position on conditioning aid to Israel. However, now that many believe the Trump administration has effectively rubber-stamped Netanyahu’s annexation plans via its new “peace plan”, Buttigieg is running away from the issue entirely.
Rep. Salud Carbajal won’t cosponsor a bill promoting human rights for Palestinian children because it includes “older youth.”
With the Iowa caucus just days away, Democratic Majority for Israel’s PAC has launched a negative ad in the state targeting presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders.
The Dingell family has controlled Michigan’s 12th district for 85 years. Challenging a political dynasty this entrenched is obviously a daunting task, but 27-year old Solomon Rajput tells Mondoweiss that he’s up for it.
Ilhan Omar: “This is not a peace plan. It is theft.”
Nancy Pelosi: “There are some areas of common ground here.”
The split over Israel in the Democratic Party has been on full display.
Arizona legislation would revise statutes relating to crime reporting to include the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism as an “aggravating factor” in sentencing decisions. That definition infamously includes some criticisms of Israel.
Congressional Republicans continue to push legislation that targets the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and their first move of 2020 is the Israel Anti-Boycott Act.
In an interview with the New York Times editorial board Amy Klobuchar also cited her strong record of pro-Israel votes in the Senate. “I still think that they are in a really tough neighborhood in a really dangerous position,” she explained, “And made worse by what Trump just did with Syria because now Iran has a foothold there.”