2020 Democrats and the Palestine Litmus Test

The piece is not a flattering one, and rightfully so. It goes on to describe a two-faced Elizabeth Warren; on one hand, she has domestically championed the working class, but on the other, her echoing of the Democratic and Republican establishment has really made her look at best like a sympathizer of the brutal occupation of Palestinians. Warren and all Democrats who seek the presidency have a major opportunity in 2020, and here’s why I believe that getting the messaging right on Israel-Palestine could be the litmus test for those of us who want a truly vetted champion of progressive causes.

Money in Politics

Issues of Race and Social Justice

And while it might be easy for a Democratic candidate to pay lip service to BLM, the proof of their true commitment to such a cause would be seen in their support for justice in Palestine. Those within the BLM movement already know that solidarity with Palestinians goes beyond simply choosing sides in this decades-long conflict. It’s an issue that casts a spotlight on systemic oppression and racism as a state policy. Presidential candidates willing to acknowledge the lopsided power dynamics or attack a political system that reinforces Palestinian inferiority are most certainly candidates with whom BLM supporters and activists would be excited to endorse. Anything less is not a candidate who is honestly committed to addressing issues of racial and social justice.

Commitment to Progressive Ideals

I get it — a lot of politicians want to show solidarity with Israel in order to signal that they will continue the tradition of an anti-Iran/Russia/Syria foreign policy. It’s their way of flexing their foreign policy muscle, but it doesn’t necessitate an alliance with political parties who don’t share their values. At the very least, they could take cues from President Obama, who, while maintaining an alliance with Israel for the sake of a greater geopolitical strategy, never showed public affection for Netanyahu or the Likud Party. The Likud Party of Israel is the party of the wall, Islamophobia, anti-immigration, surveillance of Palestinians, illegal settlements, continued occupation, and the unauthorized detention and jailing of Palestinians. Sound familiar? It should — they are Republicans on steroids, and any Democrat who lends support for them, whether tacit or explicit, signals a major dissonance with progressive values.

I could go on talking about how one’s stance on Israel-Palestine has implications for one’s views on immigration, boldness of leadership, and knack for foreign policy. But without even going there, it’s easy to see how a candidate’s views on this single topic inform us about so much else. As it stands, Elizabeth Warren is not in line with the progressive wing of the party if she refuses to acknowledge the humanitarian crisis that Palestinians have been facing for the last few decades. But as Senator Sanders wasn’t on board right away, Senator Warren still has time to catch up. Let’s give her a chance to get the messaging right, but let’s not shy away from taking her to task for it either. 2020 is the year that progressives want to change the Democratic Party. If we listen closely, and vote accordingly, we just might.

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