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State’s political leaders back wider Mideast war
Over and over again, a crushing majority of Democrat politicians have pledged their solidarity with the Bush administration’s program of repression, surveillance, and militarism.
On May 9, the U.S. Senate passed the Real ID Act, imposing a national electronic identity card on all Americans by May 2008.
On July 18, the U.S. Senate declared uncritical support for Israel’s invasion of Gaza and Lebanon, condemning Muslim states and resistance movements in the exact words used by the Bush and Israeli regimes.
Both Senate votes were 100-0. There was no opposition.
On July 21, during a peaceful protest of the Lebanon and Gaza invasion in Boston City Hall Plaza, many participants could be seen shaking their heads while reading an ad in the Thursday Globe and Herald proclaiming, “We Stand With Israel.”
This statement shamelessly identified "the Jewish community" with the State of Israel's attack on the people of Lebanon, planned well in advance and with the full cooperation of the United States government. It was signed by virtually the entire political leadership of the Massachusetts Democrat and Republican parties.
Here is what those leaders said.
“As concerned citizens, we stand with the Jewish community and proudly raise our voices in solidarity with the people of Israel, a brave democracy, that has yearned to live in peace.
“We firmly support Israel's right to defend her population against unprovoked acts of terror, including the missile attacks launched against Boston's sister city, Haifa, which have killed and maimed innocent civilians.
“We express our heartfelt concern for the safety of innocent people Israeli, Palestinian and Lebanese, who have been hurt most by the brutality of those terrorists who have brought a new level of violence to the area.
“We call upon terrorist organizations and the regimes that support them to put an end to the terror. We call upon all who care about peace to join us in our support for Israel as she defends herself against the enemies of peace.”
Among the signers were State Senators Barrios and Travaglini; State Representatives Smizik, Wolf, and Wilkerson; Democrat Party State Chair Philip Johnson; U.S. Senators Kennedy and Kerry; State Treasurer Cahill; Secretary of State Galvin; and Governor Romney.
Candidates for Governor Kerry Healey, Christy Mihos, Deval Patrick, Tom Reilly, and Christopher Gabrieli—all signed on.
Only the Green-Rainbow gubernatorial candidate, Grace Ross, publicly denounced this statement, saying, “I and the Green-Rainbow Party of Massachusetts join people across the world in horror at the apparently purposeful attack against civilians by the Israeli government.… we call on our own government to withdraw not only the illegal supply of fuel for Israeli jets and other direct military assistance in these attacks, but all other forms of assistance.”
Ross' complete statement may be found in this issue