There was an excellent Real News podcast with Max Blumenthal today which
reminded us that it has been US policy to move the embassy to Jerusalem through
several administrations. They played a statement from Senator Schumer, strongly
advocating this position, one which I think he made several years ago.
Miriam
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
by
Forward
Why Are Democratic Senators Enabling One Of Trump’s Worst Decisions?
Trump’s action has already begun to wreak havoc in the Middle East.
by
Medea Benjamin, Ariel Gold
"The state of Jordan called it “nuts” and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said
it was a gift to “radicals and extremists.” (Photo: Getty)
President Trump’s announcement stating that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel
and directing the State Department to begin moving the embassy sparked anger
and protests across the world.
One would think that Democrats would be be jumping at the chance to hammer
Trump for his reckless plans that violate international law and needlessly add
more fuel to the fires raging in the Middle East.
Certainly, the international community has come out with strong rebukes. The
condemnations from America’s allies in the Muslim world have been stunning. The
state of Jordan called it “nuts” and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) said it was
a gift to “radicals and extremists.” The Saudis described it as an “unjustified
and irresponsible.” The Iraqi government demanded that the US reverse its
decision. Turkey called it a “red line for Muslims.” The European Union
representative expressed her opposition, as did many head of states of European
nations.
People around the world voted with their feet, pouring out into the streets in
demonstrations from Sanaa to Beirut to Paris. And in the West Bank and Gaza,
there have been daily expressions of outrage.
Back at home, however, Democratic leaders have been mostly silent or, worse
yet, taking credit for Trump’s actions.
There are a few exceptions. Congressional Progressive Caucus co-chairs Mark
Pocan and Raúl M. Grijalva and Peace and Security Task Force Chair Barbara Lee
released a statement saying that Trump’s decision “sabotages our diplomatic
efforts and makes it even harder to achieve peace.” The statement, however, did
not have the signatures of the other 72 members of the caucus. Minority House
Leader Nancy Pelosi made a spineless statement saying “Jerusalem is the eternal
capital of the Jewish homeland,” but added that “moving the US embassy to
Jerusalem now may needlessly spark mass protests, fuel tensions.”
On the Senate side, Senators Bernie Sanders and Dianne Feinstein put out strong
statements of opposition. Senators Warren, Brown and Murphy showed mild
opposition, saying that diplomacy should determine the final status of the
city, but agreeing that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. Senators Durbin, Booker
and Blumenthal expressed concern that the move would cause violence but none of
them put out statements of condemnation afterwards.
The vast majority of the nation’s 535 members of Congress, however, gave no
response at all to this critical announcement or were outright enthusiastic.
Senator Ben Cardin, ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee, agreed
that “Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel and the location of the
US Embassy should reflect this fact.” Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer
actually bragged that he had helped convince Trump to make the move. Democratic
whip Steny Hoyer said that it was simply “a fact of history.” Democratic
Representatives Engel, Schultz and Deutch all backed Trump.
These Democrats are at odds not only with the United Nations, most of the
world’s leaders and global public opinion. They are also at odds with American
Jewish opinion. A September 2017 survey by the AJC Global Jewish Advocacy,
found that 44% of American Jews don’t support moving the embassy and 36% think
it should be moved only in the future in conjunction with peace talks.” Only
16% want the embassy to be moved now.
Trump’s action has already begun to wreak havoc in the Middle East. We don’t
know how far this will escalate, especially as progress continues to actually
move the embassy. What we do know is that is the reckless actions of a man who
has no regard for international law and no conception of what is in the US
national interest must be repudiated. So where are the Democrats?
© 2017