Chicagoland Pro-Israel Political Update

Calling balls and strikes for the pro-Israel community since 2006



September 1, 2019

If you remember nothing else, at least remember this:

  • Israeli security experts reiterated that a two-state solution is essential for Israel's security.
  • Republicans removed support for a two-state solution from their most recent platform.
  • The record proves that Democrats remain steadfast in their support for Israel.
  • Our good friend, and a friend of many on this list, Michael Bauer, passed away. May his memory be for a blessing.
  • Read to the end for fun stuff and upcoming events. I love when you tell me about typos.

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Friends,

A two-state solution remains in Israel's best interests. A two-state solution is not around the corner, but an impressive group of former Israeli military and security officials wrote last week that "a negotiated two-state agreement is essential to preserve the kind of Israel we dedicated our lives to fighting for."

They oppose unilateral annexation of any portion of the West Bank, including areas that likely will be included as part of Israel in a permanent status agreement, because anything that puts a two-state solution at risk is a "real threat to Israel’s security."

Neither Trump, Netanyahu, nor Abbas share seem to share these views, which is why it is important for pro-Israel advocates to distinguish between support for any particular government and support for Israel.

Working toward a two-state solution is the best defense against the Global BDS Movement. The BDS movement seeks not a return by Israel to the 1967 lines, but the destruction of Israel itself as a Jewish state. But many people, especially in the United States, support BDS under the misimpression that its goal is simply to end Israel's control of the West Bank.

Michael Koplow explains that "most people who embrace BDS do so because they view it as the best avenue for protesting the occupation, even if the BDS movement has far more nefarious aims...the reason that BDS remains an idea relegated to the radical sidelines is because there is still a widespread belief that the occupation is a necessary security measure but a decidedly temporary one. Once the status quo is declared permanent...the current state of support for Israel will become untenable, and BDS will move from the sidelines to the front and center."

Knesset Member Stav Shaffir wrote last week that the BDS "movement is anti-progressive. Instead of working to create a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the movement’s leaders unabashedly seek an end to Israel. Instead of seeking justice for Palestinians and Israelis alike, they prize one narrative over another. In doing so, they mislead most BDS supporters who do indeed want to see a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

The most recent Democratic Platform opposes "any effort to delegitimize Israel, including at the United Nations or through the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement" and supports a "two-state solution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict negotiated directly by the parties." Unfortunately, the Republican Party removed support for a two-state solution from their platform.

Democratic support for Israel remains strong. If members of Congress cast weighted votes based on how many followers they have on Twitter or on how many media hits they get, it would make sense to extrapolate from two media savvy freshmen the views of the party as a whole. But no matter how much attention they get, those two only add up to two votes. A review of key legislation brought to the floor by Democratic leadership and enacted by the Democratic-controlled House presents a more accurate assessment:


  • In July, the House passed H.R. 1837. The bill passed unanimously (that means no Democrats opposed it) and provides for enhanced cooperation between the U.S.and Israel, security assistance for Israel (including codification of the record $38 billion Memorandum of Understanding entered into between the U.S. and Israel during the Obama administration), and justice for United States victims of Palestinian terrorism.

  • In July, the House passed H.R. 1850 unanimously. This bill imposes sanctions with respect to foreign support for Palestinian terrorism.

  • In July, the House passed H. Res. 246, which condemned BDS and supported a two-state solution, with support from over 90% of House Democrats. More Democrats than Republicans voted for this resolution (the Democratic majority is large because moderate Democrats replaced Republicans in toss-up and Republican leaning districts, not because a couple of left-leaning Democrats replaced other left-leaning Democrats).

Some on the far left, outside the Democratic Party, do hold anti-Israel views, as do some on the far right. But the overwhelming majority of Democratic members of Congress, which includes some who voice disagreement with particular policies of the current Israel government, remain firmly supportive of Israel's safety and security. The votes prove it.

It is not whataboutism to maintain a sense of perspective and priority: Two out of 435 members of Congress on one side. On the other, Donald Trump, President of the United States. Let's not play the "both sides have a problem game" when both sides have problems of markedly different magnitudes. The Democratic problem starts and ends with those two. The GOP problem goes straight to the top.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) wrote last week that for "Trump to to state that American Jews have dual loyalties is not only a disgraceful use of his platform as the leader of the free world, but it's also an anti-Semitic attack" and that "Trump’s attempts to use Israel as a diversion tactic to drive a political wedge between Democrats and Republicans, Jews and non-Jews, is divisive, dangerous and reprehensible." We do not have a friend in the White House.

Thirty of the 32 Jewish members of Congress are Democrats for the same reason nearly 80% of Jews vote Democratic: Only the Democratic Party is true to the values of most American Jews, which is why the Democratic Party remains the home of American Jewry. That's not changing.

Michael Bauer passed away. He was warm, witty, and wise, so full of life, and a good friend. When he was struggling with, and I thought winning, his battle with cancer, I'd see him and ask how he was feeling. He'd tell me about his treatments, and I'd comment on how good he looked despite all he was going through. He would invariably reply, "I'm a gay man. I wouldn't be seen in public unless I looked good."

Mike was authentic, sincere, and he lived the courage of his convictions. He had a good sense of humor and attitude about life that we should all model, and he made a positive difference for so many, including me.

Read his reflections on a life of activism and his unsilence testimony. Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) issued this statement on Friday. His memorial service is Tuesday at 10:00am at Anshe Emet in Chicago. May his memory be for a blessing.

Last week's newsletter. Trump Says We're Disloyal.



Twitter Thread of the Week. Lindsey Barrett.

Video Clip of the Week. Who You Gonna Be and Why .

Upcoming Events. Dana Gordon and I are hosting presidential candidate Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 7:00pm in Highland Park. Contributions are not required  but RSVPs are, either by replying to this email or by  clicking here.

Dana and I are hosting Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL),  who has called for an impeachment inquiry and  supports a public option, on September 22. Details to come.

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The Fine Print : This newsletter usually runs on Sunday mornings. Unless stated otherwise, my views do not necessarily reflect the views of any candidates or organizations that I support or am associated with. I reserve the right to change my mind as I learn more. Intelligent, well-informed people may disagree with me; read opposing views and decide for yourself. A link to an article doesn't mean that I agree with everything its author has ever said or that I even agree with everything in the article; it means that the article supports or elaborates on the point I was making. I take pride in accurately reporting the facts on which I base my opinions. Tell me if you spot any inaccuracies, typos, or other mistakes so that I can correct them in the next newsletter (and give you credit if you want it). Advertisements reflect the views of the advertisers, not necessarily of me, and advertisers are solely responsible for the content of their advertisements. I read, value, and encourage replies to my newsletters, but I don't always have time to acknowledge replies or to engage in one-on-one discussion. Don't expect a reply if your message is uncivil or if it's clear from your message that you haven't read the newsletter or clicked on the relevant links. © 2019 Steve Sheffey. All rights reserved.