On Netanyahu

Once again the prime minister of Israel was invited to address the joint houses of congress, an honor afforded few foreign leaders. And once again he has asked for more and more support to pursue causes to which we somehow seem implicated but which we have not caused, on which have not been consulted and about which is not in our national interest. Mr. Netanyahu, embattled at home and vilified abroad, reminds us that we are allies and “we” face a common enemy and he is fighting on behalf of both our countries. 

Let’s be clear. Yes, we together with Israel are pretty much hated throughout the Middle East, but not so much because of anything the US has done. It is because of what the right wing Likud party in Israel has been doing to the Palestinians, contrary to international law, since 1967, but regretfully, made possible and enabled by us, the erstwhile freedom-loving, human-rights-minded, and equal-opportunity-driving United States. We are complicit because of our historic, no-questions-asked, economic, military and political support for, pretty much, any and all Israeli undertakings.

Israel’s dilemma is of its own making, yet we are sharing in the associated heavy costs and the widespread international rebuke. Not the ideal “ally” relationship.

Whereas the U.S. has rightly condemned the massacres in Israel on October 7th and does emphatically support the dismantling of the terrorist organization called Hamas, there are broad ongoing worldwide demonstrations, protesting the unacceptable and indiscriminate loss of innocent lives in Gaza. Regrettably protests often attract a few bad elements who attempt to interject their own perverse agendas, but the aim of these gatherings are necessary, purposeful and legitimate. They are not, in their essence, pro-Hamas nor suddenly anti-semitic, although as the conflict persists there is that danger that innocent Jewish people are swept up in the condemnation.  Netanyahu’s characterization of the protestors as “Iran’s useful idiots” is a slander on one of our cherished constitutional rights.

We must continue to support Israel, but our support must not compromise our own high values and the fundamental guiding principles which are grounded in our constitution.

– – – – Just the view of a common man.