CHICAGO — A Kamala Harris administration will not cut or condition US security assistance to Israel, her former aide says during a panel on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention.

Jewish Democratic Council of America CEO Halie Soifer, who previously served as Harris’s national security adviser in the Senate, notes that the Biden-Harris administration has approved more aid to Israel in the past six months — $15 billion — than any other administration ever.

  • OccamsTeapot@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    We can be loud about it - and we absolutely should

    That… that’s what we’re doing?

    but don’t make the mistake of thinking this is an issue we can solve with votes during this election cycle

    Pretty sure most people understand that. Hence this whole story and the discussion. We have unfortunately learned that Harris is fine with supplying weapons that Israel will undoubtedly use to kill children, and obviously Trump would do the same with even fewer moral qualms.

    I don’t like it any more than you do, but this isn’t a problem that’s about to be solved by denigrating Harris about it.

    Then how do you propose people express their dissatisfaction with this particular policy? I think denigrating someone for a decision I don’t agree with is perfectly legitimate. Isn’t that what freedom of speech is for?

    I’m also not saying you should be quiet about it.

    You may not be but it seems other people are. The person I was responding to implied that it should be coupled with an election disclaimer. I’ve had plenty of arguments where people basically say this is “pro Trump” or Russian messaging. There is an incredibly strong implication that we should be quiet about it and fall in line.

    But an understanding of, and a communication of, the nuance involved on our (American) end of the situation might help folks not knee jerk lash out at you.

    Sorry but the word “nuance” here kills me. It is not complicated, and it is not nuanced. You have effectively no choice but to vote for one of two parties. One of those parties is headed by a fascist with sights on destroying American democracy. If you don’t like that you have to vote for the other party. If you don’t vote it mainly helps the worse guys. That is a lot of things but it is NOT NUANCE. It is a stupid, broken system.

    It’s a non-issue electorally because neither side will make a major change to the current situation

    It’s a non issue electorally (except not exactly given the large “uncommitted” vote and the risk that people will stay home and not vote) but it is a big fucking issue actually. In real life. Where we live. Shouldn’t we at least try to encourage a change of policy?

    I’m sorry, I understand that you are trying to explain why people don’t like this criticism and that you agree with me broadly. It also seems you don’t think it’s bad to talk about this. But then I don’t really see what your point is? I understand how American elections work.

    • skulblaka@sh.itjust.works
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      2 months ago

      Alright, fair enough, point taken. You pretty much hit the nail on the head here:

      I’m sorry, I understand that you are trying to explain why people don’t like this criticism and that you agree with me broadly. It also seems you don’t think it’s bad to talk about this. But then I don’t really see what your point is?

      My point is, when I see people bring up this rhetoric, it’s more often than not brought up by discarding all context and simply using it as a cudgel to build up Trump by bashing his competitor. I take issue with this for reasons that are hopefully obvious. Since it’s become clear that you are able to read and parse information that is presented to you, you’re not really the target audience for my retort.

      But I absolutely will not stand for the crowd that’s out bellowing about “Kamala bad! Kamala bad because Israel! Both sides bad! Don’t vote! Both sides bad!” because they are rabble-rousing fools and represent a clear and present danger to the American people.

    • OccamsTeapot@lemmy.world
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      2 months ago

      Next time I will say this.

      DISCLAIMER: America has a two party system. In the current political climate, both parties are supportive of Israel and voting therefore offers no way to solve this issue. Trump is also worse than Harris on this issue. Not voting only helps the republicans, and if you don’t agree with their platform, the only rational electoral choice is to vote blue. While you may disagree with some policies, one has to make a pragmatic decision on election day. Voting is a chess move not a love letter. The death will continue regardless, we have no power to stop it.

      Boy I sure wish American weapons weren’t being used to do a genocide. It would be nice if Harris didn’t want to keep doing that.