FOR THE LOVE OF BOTH

Jews and Palestinians both deserve a State, and both deserve peace

“All men are created equal” is our national creed, and it should apply not only to Americans. In terms of the relationship between Palestinians and Israelis, throughout my campaign I’ve argued that America’s highest alliance should be with humanity itself. We should be equally and robustly committed to the safety, security and sovereignty of both peoples. The greatest way we can support peace between Israel and Palestine is to do our best to love them both.

Arabs and Jews were closely and peacefully related for centuries. The Israeli-Palestinian relationship is a tragic one, and the United States has a part to play in helping to heal the wound and broker a lasting peace. Past U.S. Presidents Carter and Clinton both tried, and we must not stop trying.

Regarding the war in Gaza, as President I would not have given Netanyahu the leeway he has been given. I would have told him that while the United States fully supports Israel's defeat of Hamas, not one dollar or weapon would be given by us until 1) I saw their strategy for how they planned to do it; 2) their plan for how to protect civilians; and 3) I knew their intention for what would happen the day the war ended. Unequivocal financial and weaponry support that has been given to Bibi Netanyahu since October 7 has been a very poor strategy on the part of the President, and leaves us with much less leverage in trying to influence Netanyahu's behavior than we might otherwise have had. 

The protests on college campuses going on right now is a complicated issue and reflects for the most part a sincere and well-intentioned desire for a ceasefire in Gaza. But seeping into pro-Palestinian movement of those appropriately decrying injustices toward an oppressed people is a dangerous antisemitism - totally the opposite of cries for true justice.

Tonight is the Jewish Passover Seder and for many American Jews, there's anxiety surrounding this night the likes of which we’ve never experienced. Many of us have long been advocates for the rights of Palestinians, but what is occurring now could distort the pursuit of justice. Support for Palestinian rights should not translate into support for Hamas. Nor should support for Palestinians translate into hatred toward the Jewish people, or a delegitimizing of the right of the state of Israel to exist. The moral as well as political basis for a two-state solution is that both Jews and Palestinians have the right to a sovereign state.

I cannot help but think that had we had a true Democratic primary, the party would be in a far better position to respond to events going on today. Our campaign has engaged the American people in a deep and soulful conversation about political issues, a depth very much missing in mainstream politics now. I will continue to try to be heard.