The decades between 1948 and 2000 are filled with tens of thousands more dead — largely Palestinians. The story of this conflict, the numbers clearly show, has been the story of overwhelming Palestinian death and displacement.
The vast majority of American politicians, now and then, have acquiesced.
Over the last week, President Joseph R Biden has said repeatedly that the US commitment to Israel is steadfast — “resolute and unwavering” — as 1,000 bombs are dropped each day. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken deleted statements, twice, calling for a ceasefire. As Biden visits Israel, it is critical that he immediately call for an end to hostilities. If he fails to use the enormous leverage he has to save lives in Gaza, those deaths will be partly his responsibility.
A US special envoy said that “no one has the right to tell Israel how to defend itself.” The State Department, in fact, has warned diplomats to stay away from the phrases “de-escalation/ceasefire,” “end to violence/bloodshed,” and “restoring calm.”
Most of our congressional representatives — of both parties — are no better: leading Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said this was a “religious war” and called on Israel to “level the place” when speaking of Gaza.
Representative Nancy Pelosi, our California congresswoman, has affirmed that the United States stands “unwaveringly” by Israel as it conducts its defense — which is why seven of us chained ourselves to her San Francisco offices on Friday as more than 200 anti-Zionist Jews rallied, calling for an end to US military aid to Israel.
The few who have dissented are sidelined: Representative Rashida Tlaib, for instance, lamented losses on both sides but called for an end to occupation and apartheid; House Republicans are seeking to censure her. Representative Ilhan Omar also mourned both Israeli and Palestinian losses but was lambasted for daring to question “unconditional weapons sales and military aid to Israel.”" ...READ MORE
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