14 Comments
User's avatar
⭠ Return to thread
Noah Berlatsky's avatar

I am not convinced that our alliance with Israel currently benefits us; I think there's a certain amount of inertia, and people like biden, who have been close to Israel for a long time, have trouble seeing that many of the pluses and minuses have changed.

Netanyahu also deliberately undermined the non radical Islamist option in order to kneecap the possibility of a Palestinian state (which is one of those things it's not clear that Biden is necessarily factoring in.)

I think the peace process probably requires American facilitation, so it would e bad to completely divest in that sense. I do think we should reconsider constantly blocking UN censure votes, and sending Israel aid even when they commit warcrimes, given that said aid is in violation of US and international law.

Expand full comment
Patris's avatar

Support for Israel does not equate to support for Netanyahu and the religious extremists he made a deal with. Their fanaticism is as depraved as those of other religious extremists - anywhere.

Expand full comment
Patris's avatar

We need to demand world court scrutiny for war crimes. Yes.

Expand full comment
DR Darke's avatar

Carrot and stick to Israel—behave, and the aid will continue to flow; don't, and we'll cut you off!

Expand full comment
Patris's avatar

We can’t cut them off. That can’t be the argument. But I do think we can demand Netanyahu get out.

Expand full comment
Noah Berlatsky's avatar

I think we should stop giving them weapons until we can be sure they won't use them to commit war crimes!

Expand full comment
Patris's avatar

I believe what we supply is understood to be for the defense of Israel.

Expand full comment
Noah Berlatsky's avatar

right, but Israel is currently claiming that leveling gaza is a defensive move.

Biden did actually pause arm sales, which shows how worried he is about what Israel is likely to do in rafah, I think.

Expand full comment
Patris's avatar

His concern for the lives of innocents is real - I believe that.

Expand full comment
Noah Berlatsky's avatar

I think it's...vacillating. I don't think he sees Palestinian lives as being of equal importance with Israeli lives. If he does I don't think his actions have really demonstrated it thus far.

Expand full comment
Patris's avatar

That’s not Biden, that’s Netanyahu. Depraved.

Expand full comment
Noah Berlatsky's avatar

Netanyahu is horrible. I just haven't been impressed with Biden's urgency.

Expand full comment
DR Darke's avatar

I think Biden's afraid of AIPAC and losing the Jewish vote—and AIPAC openly considering siding with TRUMP(!!!)? Says all that needs to be said about what they want!

Expand full comment
DR Darke's avatar

We need to stop the weapons, at least.

Expand full comment