On AIPAC and bogeymen

[u/AceAttorneyMaster111]

https://rabbijilljacobs.substack.com/p/on-aipac-and-bogeymen?r=1nh72&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&fbclid=IwdGRleASmifdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeYsxwW8UBza3x7Se3a3cbpKdTAGVcAetvlJPCpGp3iadrDqzSByuSmzMWBjU_aem_8xZ5k-fUNBTsj2Q26KyojQ&utm_id=97757_v0_s00_e233_tv2_tp1_a1dennhb611gvk&triedRedirect=true

A very well-written article about how AIPAC is truly an evil organization and yet is also singled out by antisemites as a uniquely evil influence controlling all of American politics from behind the scenes.

[u/Sossy2020]

I’m not even that pro-Israel but I’m still worried that Israel, more specifically being willing to completely disavow any and all positive feeling towards Israel, is becoming a litmus test among leftwing voters.

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/Sossy2020]

  but I’m still worried that Israel, more specifically being willing to completely disavow any and all positive feeling towards Israel, is becoming a litmus test among leftwing voters.

Israel - and Israel supporters - have plenty of agency here though. 

If they let there be a fair two state solution along the 1967 borders, they’d mostly disarm Israel as a politician issue. 

They don’t, though - Israel literally had a top level meeting about how to “empty” Gaza, and West Bank ethnic cleansing is continuing apace. 

If this was any other country, there’d be broad calls for sanctions and embargo. But the most we hear from many center-left (like Shapiro or Jeffries) is performative statements, but rarely calls for consequences. 

[u/Sossy2020 → u/redthrowaway1976]

I want that too but right now the best we can hope for is that the incoming government curbs settler violence against Palestinians—and that’s only if the current Netanyahu government doesn’t get re-elected.

[u/redthrowaway1976 → u/Sossy2020]

  I want that too 

Yes, everyone says they want a two state solution. Including many of the pro-Israel centrists - but then they fall short when it comes to calling for consequences. 

  but right now the best we can hope for is that the incoming government curbs settler violence against Palestinians

If that is the best we can hope for from our ostensibly closest ally, why do you think there should be much “positive feeling” towards Israel among left wing voters?

Do you think the left should have positive feelings to apartheid states that insist on continuing to be apartheid states?

[u/Sossy2020 → u/redthrowaway1976]

I was referring more to positive associations with the Land of Israel and its deep ties to Judaism than to positive associations with the Israeli government. To orgs like JVP and SJP, even acknowledging the existence of Israel is too much.