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Jewish Journal

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March 1, 2020

Biden Did at AIPAC What Bernie Couldn’t

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On March 1, the first day of the America Israel Public Affairs Committee Conference (AIPAC), there was a lot going on. There were 20,000 people in attendance, making it the largest in the conference’s history. 

In addition, there was enormous buzz heading into the conference after Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders boycotted the conference and slammed it as “bigoted,” saying AIPAC has “a lot of money and a lot of power.” 

Here are the 4 major takeaways from day one:

Joe Biden Supports Israel – and Palestinians

Many commentators have criticized Bernie Sanders for not attending AIPAC — not necessarily because he isn’t showing support for Israel, but because he’s missing the greatest opportunity in America to advocate for Palestinians among those who invested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 

Joe Biden did just that. (Fun fact: his video message was played instead of Pete Buttigieg’s today because the mayor from South bend Indiana dropped out of the race in real-time.)

 


“You don’t have to be anti-Palestinian to be pro-Israel,” Biden told the AIPAC crowd. He then went on to directly criticize the Jewish state’s policies. “Israel has to stop the threats of annexation and settlement activity like the recent announcement of settlers in E1,” he said.

And while multiple breakout sessions discussed Palestinian rights  (including in one on Progressive Activism in Israel in which a panelist told attendees they must acknowledge the occupation exists), Biden explicitly stood up for Palestinians on the AIPAC main stage. 

“We cannot fully safeguard Israel without peace. Peace is indispensable,” he said. “And it’s also the best way to legitimate aspirations – the legitimate aspirations – of the Palestinian people: expand economic opportunity, pursue justice and protect their dignity. Israeli and Palestinian children are equally deserving of safety, security and opportunity to pursue their dreams. You know, we all need to work together to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza – because there is a crisis.”

Netanyahu Used Degrading Rhetoric About Palestinians

Speaking of Palestinian dignity, Benjamin Netanyahu wasn’t offering very much. After his prepared remarks, he was asked about how to get Palestinians back into peace negotiations. 

He responded: “I think President Trump’s plan is refreshing because it stops pampering the Palestinians. The Palestinians have been the pampered children of the international community. They keep rejecting every suggestion of compromise.” 

AIPAC wanted to prove Sanders wrong when he said, “I remain concerned about the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights.”

They failed. Broad brushing any ethnic group, particularly in a negative infantilizing way is bigoted. It also doesn’t help Netanyahu’s argument. 

Plus, why would a Palestinian want to come to a table with a leader who thinks they are pampered children?

Progressives Still Showed Up 

AIPAC featured a number of panels on progressive issues that were critical of both Israel and the conference itself. 

While anti-AIPAC group IfNotNow tweeted out graphics that said “progressives don’t let progressives go to AIPAC,” breakout sessions included: 

  • Improving Life in Gaza: Israeli-Palestinian Cooperation
  • Israel and the Climate Crisis
  • Progressive Activism in Israel
  • Promoting Palestinian Prosperity
  • Foundations of Pro-Israel Activism and Progressive Zionism
  • Israel and our Progressive Values
  • Minorities in Israel 
  • Pro & Pro-Israel: Advocating for LGBTQ Equality and the US-Israel Partnership

Some Anti-AIPAC Protests Were Explicitly Anti-Semitic

While IfNotNow has been the most publicized group targeting AIPAC, other anti-Israel groups protested outside the conference. Protesters paraded from the White House to AIPAC, declaring “End AIPAC now!” While some chanted “Free Palestine,” a man with a megaphone screeched “Death to Israel.” Others joined in. 

 

Old hits came up, such as “From the River to the Sea, Palestine Will Be Free.” Though some were creative in their calls for the mass extermination of Jews.

“Remember the Holocaust. The Holocaust will come back to you. You gotta get burned if you don’t give us the land,” a man yelled into a megaphone. “Hilter will come back.”

 

Biden Did at AIPAC What Bernie Couldn’t Read More »

Biden to AIPAC: I Support Both Israel and a Palestinian State

Leave a Comment / Online, United States /

In a video address, former Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden told the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference on Mar. 1 he will always support Israel, but he also believes in a two-state solution for the Palestinians.

Biden said that while he couldn’t make the conference because of the ongoing Democratic presidential primary, he wanted to send a video message because AIPAC’s “voice matters to me.” He pledged to combat anti-Semitism and that he never engages in any boycotts of Israel.

“I will always call out anti-Semitism, whether it comes from the left, right or center,” he said, adding that every generation has to fight for America’s values to ensure that the country doesn’t give into hate.

Biden also said he will always recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.

“‘Israelis wake up every morning facing an existential threat from their neighbors,” he said, citing the constant threat Israel faces on its southern border with the Gaza Strip. He urged Hamas and Islamic Jihad to end their constant rocket attacks against Israel and for the Palestinian Authority to cease inciting terror attacks against Israelis.

However, he also advocated for a two-state solution with the Palestinians and received huge applause from attendees for making the statement.

“You don’t have to be anti-Palestinian to be pro-Israel,” Biden said, calling the situation in the Palestinian territories a “humanitarian crisis.” Citing “Palestinian dignity,” he also stated that Israeli annexation of settlements is an obstacle to Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Biden called for unity among both Republicans and Democrats, and concluded his address saying, “There is nothing we cannot achieve when Israel and the United States stand together.”

Biden to AIPAC: I Support Both Israel and a Palestinian State Read More »

Netanyahu at AIPAC: Radicals That Seek to Undermine US-Israel Alliance Will Fail

Leave a Comment / Israel, Online, United States /

Speaking to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference via video satellite from his office in Israel on March 1, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu touted the U.S. Israel alliance as being as strong as it has ever been.

Referring to a February 2018 comment when Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) accused Israel supporters of “allegiance to a foreign country,” Netanyahu said, “Last year supporters of AIPAC were accused of dual loyalty. This year AIPAC was accused of providing a platform of bigotry,” the prime minister said, referring to Democratic presidential front-runner Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.)’s Feb. 25 declaration that he would not speak at AIPAC because he was “concerned about the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry.”

Netanyahu praised conference attendees of all political stripes saying they  would prove such forces wrong. “They will fail,” he declared, prompting applause from the audience.

Netanyahu also lauded President’s Donald Trump peace plan, which includes annexing settlements in the West Bank and maintaining Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, saying that it “puts peace on a foundation of truth. The map of Israel will change and the future of Israel will change and it will change for the better.” He also urged the Palestinians to “reject a path of terror and incitement.”

He then spoke about Iran, saying, “The greatest danger we face is a nuclear Iran. Israel will do whatever it must do to defend itself.”

Netanyahu at AIPAC: Radicals That Seek to Undermine US-Israel Alliance Will Fail Read More »

Klobuchar at AIPAC Condemns Anti-Semitism

Leave a Comment / Online, United States /

On the first day of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference in Washington D.C. on March 1, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) condemned rising anti-Semitism.

Citing the Tree of Life shooting in Pittsburgh, and the attacks on Chabad of Poway and a Jersey kosher supermarket, Klobuchar told attendees via video message, “Over the past years we’ve seen a deeply troubling rise of hatred and anti-Semitism in our nation. We grieve for the victims of these crimes. We grieve for these countries, and yes we grieve for this country.”

Klobuchar added it wasn’t enough to simply grieve. Rather, it is critical that Jewish institutions receive additional resources for security purposes. She went on to urge people to speak out, saying, “We must not only stand up to the spread of hatred, but also teach tolerance.” She praised AIPAC for “doing something about hate and hate crimes,” noting the organization has spoken against out hate crimes against mosques.

Klobuchar went on to speak about her opposition to the boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement and stressed that it was important to ensure that Congress has “enduring bipartisan support for Israel.”

Klobuchar at AIPAC Condemns Anti-Semitism Read More »

Quentin Tarantino and Israeli Wife Daniella Named Their Son Leo. It Has Nothing to do With Di Caprio.

Leave a Comment / Entertainment /

JERUSALEM (JTA) — Quentin Tarantino and his wife, the Israeli model and singer Daniella Pick, have named their son Leo — but it’s not for Leonardo Di Caprio.

Some suspected the name of the newborn, which was revealed at his bris, Channel 12 reported Sunday morning, was for the actor who has starred in two of Tarantino’s films, including his most recent, “Once Upon a Time In Hollywood.”

But little Leo, who was born on Feb. 22, is named for Pick’s maternal grandfather, Ari Shem-Or. Ari is a lion in Hebrew.

The baby is the couple’s first. They currently live in Israel. In November, they rented a home in an affluent neighborhood in the northern part of Tel Aviv for nearly $23,000 a month.

Tarantino, 56, and Pick 36, married under a huppah, or Jewish wedding canopy, in 2018, shortly after Tarantino finished filming “Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood.” A Reform rabbi participated in the ceremony and Tarantino wore a yarmulke.

They started dating in 2009 when the director was in Israel promoting his movie “Inglorious Basterds.”

Pick is the daughter of the popular Israeli singer and composer, Svika Pick.

Quentin Tarantino and Israeli Wife Daniella Named Their Son Leo. It Has Nothing to do With Di Caprio. Read More »

AIPAC Conference Opens with Appeals for Bipartisanship and Broadsides Against Bernie Sanders

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WASHINGTON (JTA) — The Israel lobby AIPAC launched its annual conference on Sunday with an appeal for bipartisanship and potshots aimed at Bernie Sanders, the Democratic front-runner in the presidential stakes.

The jarring contrast reflected how polarized support for Israel has become in the current political climate.

Amy Friedkin, a past AIPAC president with close ties to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., joined Alan Franco, a national board member from New Orleans and a major supporter of Republican candidates, in appealing for respectful dialogue.

Friedkin called on speakers and the activists in attendance to “avoid the nasty partisan attacks that unfortunately dominate the dialogue.” She added that “the best way to persuade us is with facts, not fire.”

They were followed by Howard Kohr, the lobby’s longtime CEO of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, who took aim at Sanders, the Vermont senator and currently the delegate leader in the race for the Democratic nomination. Sanders said last week that he would boycott the AIPAC conference, saying that he was “concerned about the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights.”

Kohr did not name Sanders, but much of his speech appeared aimed at the veteran lawmaker.

“In their political utterances, the leaders of this movement repeatedly and reflexively disparage Israel’s democracy and lump her in with nations hostile to American interests and American values,” he said. “Again, these are not the things a friend would say or do.”

More pointed was Danny Danon, the Israeli ambassador to the United Nations who spoke to AIPAC’s national council. Danon took issue with Sanders’ repeated description of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “racist.”

“We don’t want Sanders at AIPAC,” Danon said. “We don’t want him in Israel. Anyone who calls our prime minister a ‘racist’ is either a liar, an ignorant fool or both.”

Other leading Democratic candidates are speaking to AIPAC, including former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg in person. Others will join by video: Former vice president Joe Biden, who bested Sanders Saturday in the key South Carolina primary, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar and  former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren also is boycotting the conference.

AIPAC Conference Opens with Appeals for Bipartisanship and Broadsides Against Bernie Sanders Read More »