I suspect we will hear more US politicians weighing in on the war in Gaza. New York Governor David Paterson issued a press release today.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 31, 2008
STATEMENT FROM GOVERNOR DAVID A. PATERSON
"As Americans, we are blessed to live in a democracy which embraces different religions, cultures and ethnicities. More than seven years ago, New Yorkers’ faith in that democracy was tested when we suffered our own tragedy at the hands of terrorists. But we did not let that dark day in our history diminish our resolve to fight for our freedom. We continue to stand in solidarity with those who defend themselves in the pursuit of peace.
"Over the past few days, I have closely monitored the current escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza. I hope and pray for a peaceful solution for both sides and I strongly condemn Hamas for breaking the current ceasefire. I believe the Israeli people, under constant attack from the Palestinian territories, have a right to protect themselves and I stand with them as they fight to defend the basic rights of humanity.
"I traveled to Israel in 2007 and I discovered firsthand what I had always known to be true – Israel is an extraordinary democracy blessed with very courageous citizens who refuse to live their lives in fear. New Yorkers have experienced the horror of terrorism; we must not and will not let senseless acts of terror undermine our commitment and resolve to fight for democratic principles both at home and around the world."
http://www.ny.gov/...
I agree 100% with Governor Paterson. Hamas' charter shows that it is beyond the pale of anything that any reasonable person could support:
http://www.palestinecenter.org/...
I hope that the military operation may be completed as quickly as possible, the rocket attacks on Israel stop, and that Hamas may be replaced with a Palestinian leadership that protects its people rather than terrorizes them, one that accepts Israel's right to exist in peace rather than inciting it to war.
Update to make this more than a blockquote with brief comment:
I suspect that almost all the public comments by Democratic elected officials will be similar to this one. I strongly suspect that there will be absolutely no statements by Democratic elected officials that side against Israel and with Hamas. Yet in Progressive circles, at least as exemplified by recent diaries, I don't think that it is inaccurate to say that there are more expressions of opposition to Israel than statements of support.
Why is this? How did the Progressive movement get so removed from the very people that it helped to elect? I'm sure that many will come up with conspiracy theories that blame AIPAC or Jewish money or something like that, but I can assure you that almost all the non-Jewish politicians in New York who are so pro-Israel (and that is almost all of them) would be that way even if they don't have Jewish constituents (I've met some from the Bronx). I would suspect that would be true even outside of the New York area as well.