Is AKlo going wobbly on Israel?
A few days ago, I got a text message from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee that had this photo of Sen. Amy Klobuchar, followed by this text:
The same Iran-backed terrorists who fired ballistic missiles at our Navy last week are attacking Israel too. Our closest ally is taking the fight directly to the enemy and is asking to BUY American-made equipment so it can win. But BERNIE SANDERS wants America to abandon our ally. He is forcing your Senators to vote this week to prevent Israel from buying the weapons it needs to take the fight directly to those who hate both America and Israel. In a dangerous world, America must be clear that we will stand with our friends. Call Senator Klobuchar – tell them to reject Bernie Sanders’ radical agenda and stand with Israel! aipac-24.com/bRKYQ
Certainly for the most part, of course, the US taxpayer is buying the weapons and giving them to Israel, but never mind.
Never fear, Zionists, Senator Klobuchar came through in the end. Senator Tina Smith did not. Senator Smith voted to discharge the petition calling for a halt on providing offensive weapons to Israel from the Foreign Relations Committee for a floor vote. Good for Senator Smith!
In addition to buying influence directly with (massive) campaign contributions, AIPAC does this sort of thing — it’s hardly alone, true — urging people to call their congressional representatives about some issue. Calls are more effective than emails. When a Congress member does go wobbly, AIPAC gins up the pressure, and if the member goes wobbly enough, AIPAC primaries them. It did so successfully twice this election cycle. AIPAC heavily supported Don Samuels last cycle, but only made a feeble effort on his behalf this time, recognizing that Rep. Omar would not be dislodged by Samuels.
A question I have, though, is how did AIPAC get my name and phone number to text? I’ve never corresponded with or called AIPAC. It must have come from a list. A DFL list, I’m sure.
For those of you who know my writing about Palestine here, it is perhaps unnecessary to say that I responded by saying that Israel was not an ally, but rather a dangerous and embarrassing dependent, one that is committing genocide in Palestine and now Lebanon.
The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor agrees.
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