Watch this speech. It was supposed to help Kamala Harris with Arab American voters in Michigan (I suspect it will do the exact opposite)
So let us start with some remedial history lessons
- It is pointless to argue about who was there first. This is not a history lesson, but it is a basic common sense issue. But the claim that Bill Clinton makes (i.e., that the Jews were there first) is just silly. Where do you think the Palestinians came from ? From Mars, or something ? The Palestinians of today are the closest (and most direct) descendants of the Jewish tribes that he is referring to. As far as lineage is concerned, they were clearly “there first”. A short history of the region is that there was a wave of conversion to Christianity in the 2nd Century AD, and then another wave of conversion to Islam in the 8th Century. This may seem like a big deal to us, but it was probably not to those who were “converting”. It was just a matter of accepting one, or two, more Prophets… in exchange for significant benefits. Most Jews today are descended from people of other lands (there are exceptions, of course). Again, none of this should matter; what should matter is that people be willing to co-exist, as equals. So the question that a US President who wants to be an effective mediator should have asked is: are you willing to coexist as equals. If not, why not ? Instead, we get this “they were there first” garbage.
- Hamas is a relatively recent player in the “kill their way out of this problem” approach. The Israelis (with US help since 1967; and with British/Soviet help prior to that) have been the master of “kill to find a solution”. This includes Israeli figures like Rabin that Bill Clinton reveres. You can obviously find Hamas abhorrent for targeting civilians, and simultaneously revere Rabin for essentially identical actions against civilians… but that is also an illustration of why you will be ineffective as a mediator. And also why you should not be stumping for Palestinian American votes.
- The primary beef that Arab Americans (and Progressive Democrats, in general), have with the current American support for Israel is not that “the US is required to uphold Israeli defense”, but that the US seems to have a complete disregard for US weapons being used against civilians (in violation of US law, I might add). And when (as happens quite often), the Israelis kill a civilian who also holds US citizenship, the administration works overtime to sanewash that action,
- It is quite notable that only one set of voters are talked down to, and told “I get that you are upset, but you MUST still vote this way”, while being told that their feelings on the issue are completely invalid (and being factually wrong about it, I might add). I should add that I do not think this is down to racism… it is due to an inability to admit past mistakes. I do not think Bill Clinton is racist… but he is incapable of admitting mistakes.
To anyone in the Harris campaign who is listening, I have the following suggestions
- Bernie is your best surrogate on this issue. Other good surrogates include Congressman Ro Khanna. & Congresswoman Jaypal. Bill Clinton is not a good surrogate; in fact, he will probably cost you votes.
- The requirement for a good surrogate is simple: (1) be open to the possibility that Arab (or Palestinian or Muslim) Americans have the same rights as any other group (including Jewish Americans). (2) be open to the possibility that no US strategic interest are served when the Israelis kill civilians (not just civilians who hold US citizenship; but any civilians). (3) Be open to the possibility that younger Jewish Americans are now just as disgusted at Israeli actions as other groups. This may sound simple, but it is beyond the capacity of any US President who has pushed the Israeli/Palestinian peace process with the goal of maximizing Israeli positions.
