(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Why Won’t Democrats Support a Hamas-Israeli Ceasefire? [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2023-10-29 The October 7 Hamas attack on innocent Israelis is unquestionably horrific. Israel’s genocidal response without regard for the lives of innocent Gazans is particularly inhumane and counterproductive. That is descriptive, not a statement of equivalency. So is the fact that revenge and Inhumanity only dehumanize perpetrators and victims. Decades of escalating terrorism, war, and denial of Palestinian rights have not satisfied anyone's goals, regardless of their underlying moral claims or political legitimacy. There is assuredly room for respectful debate about the complexities of reasonable, short- and long-term just solutions. However, a ceasefire is the only possible immediate path toward peace and the release of the hostages. In the United States I don't expect Republicans to act on moral principles. The only hope that those in power will act with humanity or political reason rests with Democrats. Negotiation with terrorists and hostage takers is repugnant, but there is little to no historical precedent for successful wars on terrorism. The notion of so-called targeted attacks that do not kill innocent civilians and thereby exacerbate the anger, hatred, and desperation that foment an acceptance of terrorism is a fantasy. Is Hamas a condemnable authoritarian, antisemitic, religious extremist group without respect for our common humanity? For sure! However, I see little evidence that war, with its inevitable toll on innocent lives, will eliminate their threat, much less address the Israeli and U.S. role in creating the conditions that abetted their rise. The Hamas attack and Israeli response are a piece of conflict that has been impervious to resolution. Continued war can only put the lives of Palestinians and Jews in the Middle East and around the world more at risk, not less. Surely, President Biden, his advisors, and congressional Democrats know all of this. An overwhelming majority of countries in the United Nations, many Jews in Israel and in the United States, and people around the world are demanding a ceasefire. Thousands–often led by young people–have taken to the streets to demonstrate against US support for Netanyahu's right-wing, religious-extremist coalition's perpetration of a genocidal response. They all can't be dismissed as self-hating Jews, antisemitic, naïve, or unthinking left-wing rhetoric. In that context, why won’t most Democrats support the House resolution calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid as a step in the right direction? Why instead, are so many supporting additional military aid to Israel that will exacerbate the conflict? Why has no companion to the House resolution even been introduced in the Senate? Either the fog of war has once again blocked Democrats' ability to learn anything from history, or more likely crass political considerations trump their humanity. Most Democrats seem to be making the same failed protect our right flank bet that has undermined their electoral viability since Reagan’s presidential victory. Combined with persistent economic insecurity, the latest round will almost certainly cause many young people and people of color to abandon voting, yielding ever more Republicans extremists to be elected. Enough. Arthur taught and led science professional learning and curriculum and assessment development projects for 50 yrs. He writes about education and social justice. He loves spending time with friends and family, hiking, and gardening. Follow him: X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/arthurcamins Substack: https://arthurhcamins.substack.com/ [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/story/2023/10/29/2202350/-Why-Won-t-Democrats-Support-a-Hamas-Israeli-Ceasefire Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/