Biden Did at AIPAC What Bernie Couldn’t

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.)

WATCH: 47th Vice President of the United States and Democratic Presidential Candidate @JoeBiden addresses #AIPAC2020.#AIPACProud pic.twitter.com/E6qsZ8tne5

— AIPAC (@AIPAC) March 1, 2020

“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. 

“The Holocaust will come back to you,” one yelled at AIPAC attendees. “You’re going to get burned if you don’t give us the land!”

“Hitler will come back! Burned, all of you!”

Others tried to cool him down and keep him away from the frontlines a bit during this. pic.twitter.com/gpQIkFNJ0x

— Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) March 1, 2020

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.”