Sestak says he’s a staunch supporter of Israel

[Freddie Stubbs]

PHOENIXVILLE—A few days after Republican Senate nominee Pat Toomey voiced his support for Israel, Democrat Joe Sestak echoed the sentiment, calling himself a strong supporter of the country without weighing on the specifics of a much-criticized flotilla raid.

“I’m a staunch supporter of Israel,” Sestak told pa2010.com Saturday during an Organizing For American rally here. “In fact I’ve been there 8 times. … The ambassador of Israel had me over for dinner on the eve of Chanukah, in order to sit down with the chief of staff of the Israeli Navy .”

Sestak reiterated his support for a two-state solution to the intractable Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He called Israel a vital ally.

“Their security is important to our security,” he said.

more: http://www.pa2010.com/2010/06/sestak-says-hes-a-staunch-supporter-of-israel/

[Ron Green]

1. Such a statement is required, unfortunately.

We need a much deeper examination of this whole issue. I mean, this thread will probably be moved, for example.

[avaistheone1]

11. I think so.

But if we can't even discuss this issue person to person on a forum like this, the issue is doomed and so are we as a country.

So much for grand ideas like freedom of speech and freedom of thought.

[flpoljunkie]

2. Israel's occupation of Palestine helps no one--not Israelis, not Palestinians, and not the U.S.

Our security is linked to Israel, and their occupation of Palestine makes us and them less secure.

[Enrique]

13. it helps Iran, and Hamas, and RW Israeli extremists

and RW American extremists, and al Qaeda.

[harkadog]

47. What are you calling "Palestine"?

[Renew Deal]

3. I saw a bunch of Toomey ads on DU yesterday.

And I mean a bunch.

[dtotire]

4. Israel is an Albatross around our neck n/t

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. But apparently not an albatross around the neck of its American supporters running for office

[MadBadger]

6. In other news, Sky appears darker later at night

[Tailormyst]

7. No big surprise there

No one gets far in politics here if they criticize Israel.

[ej510]

8. I mentioned this last week.

[Chef Eric]

49. Well, Dennis Kucinich seems to have done pretty well for himself!

Of course, he didn't get very far in the presidential primaries, but then again, nobody has gone directly from the House of Representatives to the Presidency since James Garfield in 1881.

[Ter]

9. No choice to the voter as usual

When it comes to Israel, both parties are big supporters.

[Freddie Stubbs]

12. Because there is a general concensus that the US should support Isreal

[Ter]

28. By who, Israel?

America is being bought by lobbyists.

[Freddie Stubbs]

31. By both major political parties

[Ter]

46. I know that, and that's the probblem

The voters have no real choice when it comes to Israel.

[Moochy]

52. All the choice they need

[Ter]

53. Pro-Israel vs. Pro-Israel

Some choice, it's pathetic.

[Moochy]

34. Yes among successful politicians

[Freddie Stubbs]

44. The one thing that unsuccessful politicians have in common is the inability to get votes

But that is how representative government works.

[depakid]

36. Whether that's true or not- in terms of what's best for the world at large

it's a good thing for people in every other nation to see what Americans really stand for -and who and what they really are in their hearts of hearts.

The Bush era wasn't some anomaly- and in the decade or two on the way, as resources become more and more limited, other nations need to know what to expect.

Once one takes a step back (or away) it becomes pretty clear that the unconditional support for whatever the far right Israeli government does is reflected in domestic actions that are ongoing in the state of Arizona- and elsewhere.

Once one looks at it from that perspective, the question then becomes: is that the sort of people that we really want to -or have to be?

[Aramchek]

10. He surely doesn't want to get Thomas'd

[ecstatic]

15. Is there a safe middle ground where one can express disappointment

with the lopsided U.S. relationship with Israel without delving into which country Jews should return to? :shrug:

[freddie mertz]

14. Just like every single politician in America proclaims.nt.

[Freddie Stubbs]

16. Cynthia McKinney didn't

[freddie mertz]

20. And look what happened to her.

Case made.

[Freddie Stubbs]

21. The voters spoke

[freddie mertz]

22. She was targeted by the POTB for "removal."

Just like Helen Thomas.

You probably applauded it.

[Freddie Stubbs]

29. The POTB was the voters, and they hit their target

And yes, I did applaud it.

[LibDemAlways]

17. Politicians, yes. The corporate media, yes. The American public,

decidedly more divided. However, as long as those who question Israeli policy and tactics are branded anti-Semitic, there will never be an honest debate. It's a hell of a convenient way to stiffle dissent.

[Freddie Stubbs]

45. The problem is that saying Israeli should go back to Germany and Poland is antisemitic

[Chef Eric]

51. +1 nt

[Chef Eric]

50. I wouldn't call Dennis Kucinich a staunch supporter of Israel. nt

[WI_DEM]

18. No huge surprise. Also Philiadelphia has a large Jewish population.

[IndianaGreen]

24. Bibi Netanyahu grew up near Philly

I think Frank Rizzo was his childhood hero!

[IndianaGreen]

19. Let Israelis vote in Pennsylvania

and end the charade that we are a sovereign nation.

[AtomicKitten]

23. Sestak: "Me too!!!"

[IndianaGreen]

25. I still take Sestak over Specter any day!

[AtomicKitten]

26. You don't live there. What matters is Pennsylvania voters chose him over Specter. nt

[TheKentuckian]

27. Good on Joe. Of course it is virtually inconceivable that anyone could be pro-Israel

and not be a neocon tool.

He may be just that, maybe not but how he stands on this issue won't define that one way or the other.

Of course some no better than to draw such a dead blind line. I'm no neocon nor a neolib by about even the most inane definition and I am a Zionist.

[Jennicut]

30. And this surprises no one. Sestak is like most American politicians.

This is not a liberal vs conservative issue. It is that we have allied ourselves with Israel for decades. Now, the current regime in Israel is a total right wing mess. Bibi is an idiot. But there are moderate and liberal Israelis too. One does not need to be for or against Israel. I wasn't against America even though Bush was in charge and millions voted for him. That is just being ridiculous. I am totally against Bibi and co. I hope the Israeli people wake up and realize the damage he is doing to their country. And I think the blockade needs to be lifted, it has done nothing but harm their rep and hurt Palestinians needlessly.

[Thrill]

32. Thats the stand you better take if you want to be a politician in this country

.

[old mark]

33. So am I - I'm glad I voted for Joe Sestak. nt

[Moochy]

35. Street Cred Envy

Too bad the Israel Peace movement is not as flush with cash as the IDF and the Likud party.

[Freddie Stubbs]

37. Less supporters = less money

[Moochy]

38. Just say you support the Likud party and be done with it

[Freddie Stubbs]

39. I support the Democratic Party

[Moochy]

40. Democratic Leadership Council's Party

DU's well-protected Likudnik branch of the DLC Party.

[Freddie Stubbs]

41. Perhaps you have never read our party's platform:

Our starting point must always be our special relationship with Israel, grounded in shared interests and shared values, and a clear, strong, fundamental commitment to the security of Israel, our strongest ally in the region and its only established democracy. That commitment, which requires us to ensure that Israel retains a qualitative edge for its national security and its right to self-defense, is all the more important as we contend with growing threats in the region–a strengthened Iran, a chaotic Iraq, the resurgence of Al Qaeda, the reinvigoration of Hamas and Hezbollah. We support the implementation of the memorandum of understanding that pledges $30 billion in assistance to Israel over the next decade to enhance and ensure its security.

http://www.democrats.org/a/party/platform.html

[IndianaGreen]

42. So among these 'values' you speak of are killing of Americans and GIs

because that's exactly what the American people have gotten from this satanic "special relationship" with Israel.

June 8th, Anniversary of Israeli Attack on the USS Liberty

June 8, 2010 posted by Michael Leon

“The Loss of Liberty” tells the shocking, long-suppressed truth about the treacherous assault, and tears to shreds the shameful official story that the attack was a case of mistaken identity. This documentary includes interviews with high-ranking Israeli military officers. High-ranking American military and civilian officials, including Dean Rusk, former U.S. Secretary of State, and Admiral Thomas Moorer, former Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, provide authoritative analysis.

“I have never believed that the attack on the USS Liberty was a case of mistaken identity,” Admiral Moorer has said. “What is so chilling and cold-blooded, of course, is that they could kill as many Americans as they did in confidence that Washington would cooperate in quelling any public outcry. I have to conclude that it was Israel’s intent to sink the Liberty and leave as few survivors as possible.”Let it not be said that we knew, but still did nothing.Would the US allow its citizens to be attacked and killed by a foreign power and then cover up the facts? It would – and it has.

Let it not be said that we knew, but still did nothing.

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2010/06/08/june-8th-anniversary-of-israeli-attack-on-the-uss-liberty/

[Freddie Stubbs]

43. Friendly fire happens all of the time in wars

No one has ever been able to provide a motive as to why Israel would purposely attack her most powerful ally.

[ej510]

48. LMAO!

You are blind.

[LittleBlue]

54. Gore had more supporters and less money

How does your statement reconcile with what happened in 2000?

[Freddie Stubbs]

55. Bush raised more, but not enough to vastly outspend Gore