The Conscience of Congress

Yes, Virginia, this is an Israel lobby. And here it is in action:

Congressman Dennis Kucinich of Ohio is one of the bravest members of the House. A staunch liberal committed to humanitarian principles, Kucinich - unlike the overwhelming majority of his colleagues - does not shy away from criticizing Israel and voting against biased legislation written up and passes under pressure by the main Israel lobby group, AIPAC.

Kucinich’s views are not uncommon, just his actions. He has once stated that many members of Congress agree with him on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict but they fear that voting against pro-Israel bills will lead them to become a target by AIPAC when reelection time comes. AIPAC has already defeated such politicians in the past to send exactly such a lesson.

But actions are what count and what constitute courage. Earlier this year, Kucinich was one of only five members of Congress to voet against a AIPAC-bill that expressed support for Israel’s massacre of hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza (a little more than 20 members of Congress voted present).

Needless to say, this has not made Kucinich any more popular in his party and has certainly led to him being somewhat of a pariah.

Kucinich was recently supposed to headline a fundraising dinner for the Palm Beach, Florida Democratic party. But within less than 24 hours of his name being announced, Kucinich was withdrawn and won’t even be attending the even now. Why? you ask:

Several regionally Democrats attacked Kucinich’s views on Israel and threatened to refuse to attend the event if he showed up.

Florida State Senator Ted Deutch, who is running for Congress and because of that probably attacked Kucinich even more harshily to show off for the Israel lobby and be rewarded with campaign contributions. Deutch stated that Kucinich’s views offend “the conscience of this community.” But apparently killing children does not.

Deutch was joined by State Rep. Kevin Rader who threatened to withdrew his $1,500 contribution for the event if Kucinich showed up, citing his views on Israel.

Politicians are almost always insane-ambitious and when one politician sees another gaining favor with a powerful interest group, the former must join in. And so, even a third Florida state politicians, criticized Kucinich. County Comissioner Burt Aaronson called Kucinich’s proposed sppech “an absolute horror” and stated that he would not share the podium with such a man. But apparently dropping gas on a school and cluster bombs on people is “an absolute delight”.

Kucinich defended himself and stated that his criticis were engaging in nothing more than “falsely characterizing me as ‘anti-Israel’”. Although a critic, Kucinich stated that he supports Israel’s right to defend itself and exist. Nonetheless, he knew he wasn’t going to win this round and sent Palm Beach Democratic Chairman Mark Alan Siegel a letter stating that he would “humbly withdraw.”

Siegel, who is Jewish, stated that the party’s 20-person leadership circle decided to invite Kucinich and that nobody brought up his views on Israel.

He added that he disagreed with Kucinich’s critics: “People feel he’s anti-Israel. I don’t read it that way.”

And then he explained what this was all about: “but the leadership of AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee) and other elements of the Jewish community do and I don’t want to get into an argument with them.”

And then they have the temerity to state that anyone who speaks about an Israel lobby is an anti-Semite.