Imagine, U.S. Congress Voted Against Israeli Statehood In 1947 – OpEd

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Picture, it’s 1947, you’re a Jewish resident of the Yishuv contemplating an impending vote in the UN General Assembly to recognize the UN Partition and create a new State of Israel. You’re anticipating the support of both the Soviet Union and the United States. But nothing is certain. That’s when you hear that the U.S. Congress has scoffed at your dreams and aspirations and voted 407-6 to tell you to stuff it. Knock off those dreams of statehood and go back to the negotiating table to work out a deal with the Palestinian Arabs, who have rejected Partition and the idea of a new State of Israel.

Now compare this piece of historical fiction with a very real act of betrayal committed by today’s U.S. Congress which spat on the idea of Palestinian statehood, telling the Palestinians via a Sense of the House resolution that their only hope is to go back to the negotiating table with a liar and a thief, that would be Bibi Netanyahu, the Israeli who wants neither peace nor a settlement (a peace settlement, that is) nor a Palestinian state. Not now, not ever.

There are six courageous (or foolhardy) souls, who no doubt will be targeted by Aipac in the coming Congressional elections for voting “Aye”: Justin Amash, Earl Blumenauer, Ron Paul, Joe Rahall, Dennis Kucinich, and Walter Jones. Those more fearful of Aipac and less willing to go out on a limb, refused to vote for the amendment OR against it. They were Keith Ellison, Jim McDermott, Pete Stark, Betty McCollum, Lynn Woolsey, James Moran, Barbara Lee and Maxine Waters. They deserve some, but less credit for their stance.

This article appeared first in Tikun Olam

Richard Silverstein

Richard Silverstein is an author, journalist and blogger, with articles appearing in Haaretz, the Jewish Forward, Los Angeles Times, the Guardian’s Comment Is Free, Al Jazeera English, and Alternet. His work has also been in the Seattle Times, American Conservative Magazine, Beliefnet and Tikkun Magazine, where he is on the advisory board. Check out Silverstein's blog at Tikun Olam, one of the earliest liberal Jewish blogs, which he has maintained since February, 2003.

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