Public Comment

Predictably, the pressure cooker situation in Israel has finally exploded with spasms of violence by Palestinians and Israelis. Prime Minister Netanyahu and his right wing government have incited much of the violence by expanding Jewish settlements and ignoring settler terrorist attacks. About 500,000 Jews live in more than 100 settlements built since Israel's 1967 occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Settler terrorism has been ongoing for decades with complete impunity. No settler has ever been charged with vandalism or other acts of violence. 

The cycle of violence will continue as long as the US government continues to show its blatant partiality by sending huge shipments of weapons and deflecting censure and criticism of Israel by using its veto power at the UN. 

The situation in Israel has reached a ‘South Africa’ moment when more and more European countries and American Jews are voicing frustration and anger at the deteriorating situation and lending support to the growing BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement. By assuring Israel of our unshakable support and alliance, regardless of its appalling history of human rights violations and suffocating occupation, we are complicit in the ongoing mayhem. This is not a gesture of support for Israel but a monumental betrayal.