Dem/DSA Unity with Israel, Peace = Big Victory in November

A lot of Jews are understandably anxious.

They see Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) candidates winning primaries. They see loud anti-Israel activists dominating social media, rallies, campus protests, and party meetings with slogans, chants of falsehoods, and accusations against Israel. They see pro-Israel incumbents challenged in deep-blue districts where the Democratic primary is often the real election.

Let’s be clear: the DSA will not have the congressional numbers to dictate America’s policy toward Israel. Even if it added 15 or 20 Seats.  It could not cut off support for Israel or impose its agenda by itself. Such legislation would still need broad support in the House, passage in the Senate, a president willing to sign it.  So let’s all vote for Democrats.

A Democrats/DSA alliance can be more effective in stopping Trump by refusing to vilify Israel and by recognizing that Israel’s reality, economy and society are our shining model of a real Progressive Society.

Israel is not the villain.  It is the example: It combines a democracy, market economy, strong social supports, universal health care, school beginning at three years of age, labor protections, public investment, and an extraordinary entrepreneurial start-up culture that has enhanced capitalism while providing the social services people desire. It also frees the private sector from carrying the burden of providing those benefits, while the employees are free from worrying about benefits. They can choose where to work or start their own. That blend has helped create one of the world’s most innovative start-up economies.

The DSA is reaching for a playbook that runs from medieval scapegoating through the Russian pogroms and Nazi extermination: falsely blaming Jews and the Jewish state for the world’s injustices. This is the 21st century. Let’s move forward, not backward.

A better future begins with the next generation understanding that Jews are indigenous. Israelis are not temporary to be driven out, but permanent neighbors with whom Palestinians can build security, prosperity, trade, investment, and a normal life.

Israel is now home to more than 10 million people, including more than 2 million Arab citizens who have already shown that integration and coexistence are possible. Roughly 5.6 million Palestinians live in the West Bank and Gaza. Those populations are not going anywhere. Both sides need to recognize that reality and embrace the permanence of both peoples.

The practical question is whether the future will be one of permanent conflict, or one in which Palestinians gain meaningful political autonomy, rebuild Gaza into a vibrant home, and develop industry that can create an economy working alongside and in partnership with Israeli industries rather than against them.

Imagine what could happen if young Palestinians were raised with a vision of peace, work, trade, education, entrepreneurship, and mutual benefit. Israel and a future Palestinian political entity could have separate governments while still building deeply connected economies, much like the United States and Canada. That would bring mutual benefit and stability to the region, as the Abraham Accords have begun to demonstrate through Israel’s growing ties with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan. The financial rewards of peace would be enormous, and so would the human rewards for all peoples.

I am calling on Democrats/DSA to step back and reflect on what we have in common, which is more than what separates us. We are stronger together. I believe the policies mentioned above are what we can all embrace. With the energy of the youth of the DSA and the institutional structure of the Democratic Party, we can not only change America. We can help change the world, and that includes the Middle East.

Unity, I believe, can attract a vast majority of independents and, in this election cycle, even many Republicans. America and the world see the incompetence of the current administration. By working together, not apart, I believe the future I have projected can be achieved. After the votes are counted in November, I see that even with redistricting, Democrats/DSA could pick up dozens of House seats and more Senate seats than anyone currently projects.

It is the 21st century. It is time to put hatred aside. To borrow Martin Luther King Jr.’s most enduring principle, let us judge people by their character, not by the color of their skin, their faith, their country, or where their ancestors came from. Isn’t that what Jesus would do? My Rabbi would. I would like to think people of every faith can do the same. Shalom, Salaam, Peace! Let’s pursue it together.

I know some readers will say, “This sounds wonderful, but what about this issue in the United States, West Bank, Gaza and Israel? Those questions are real, none of them disappear because we wish them away. The step to take now is to put aside hatred and work together.

What I am projecting is an overview of what can be achieved. I want readers to share that vision, understand that we must put hate aside and pursue peace. The challenges in Israel and the Middle East may be more difficult than the challenges here in America. But if we focus together, we can achieve those domestic policies that Americans have been striving for generations.

The DSA proposals are not. I am saying, let’s finally do them. So let’s win in November and do them together. And let us look toward the Middle East, accept the peoples who live there, and say: America will work with region to pursue peace.

Whether you are a Democrat, a DSA member, or simply someone who wants a better future, if this article moved you, please share it. Reach across the small political fence on the left. Send it to someone you know who sees this differently and say, “Let’s talk.”

We have far more in common than the slogans and anger would have us believe.

But hoping that one people will disappear in favor of the other is not a plan. It is not peace, it is hatred. And a political campaign of hate will lose in November.