Public Comment

Israel hard right shift

Jagjit Singh
Friday June 03, 2016 - 01:26:00 PM

Two of Bernie Sanders appointees to the Democratic drafting committee, Cornel West and James Zogby, launched a scathing criticism of Israel’s long occupation signaling a possible shift in their party’s unconditional support for Israel. West commented, “Justice for Palestinians cannot be attained without lifting the occupation” and accused Prime Minister Netanyahu of “war crimes”. While U.S. policy has always focused exclusively on security for Israel, it has completely ignored the plight and security of the Palestinians who have been forced to endure dispossession of their land and decades of an increasing harsh occupation.  

Netanyahu’s polarizing influence, gross interference in our political system and repeated insulting snubs at our president has a lot to do with these changing attitudes. According to a Pew Research Center survey in April, self-described liberal Democrats were twice as likely to sympathize with Palestinians over Israel than they were just two years ago. Netanyahu’s latest appointment of Avigdor Lieberman as defense minister reflects a dangerous shift to the right which caused outrage in the Knesset and the resignation of Environmental Protection Minister, Avi Gabbay. Sadly, Palestinians will now be forced to endure more repression and misery. Meanwhile the Obama administration is negotiating a new more generous defense aid package that could top $40 billion over 10 years. For more, go to, http://callforsocialjustice.blogspot.com/