© Ken Martin InstagramDNC Chair Ken Martin
The Democratic National Committee's recent summer meeting in Minneapolis showed how the Israel lobby is working
to fight increasing support for Palestine among the party's base, and how it is failing.
The Democratic National Committee's summer meeting in Minneapolis last month ended not in dysfunction, but in deliberate avoidance. At the very moment
when grassroots Democrats demanded a clear stand on Gaza, party leaders chose to bury the debate entirely rather than let members vote their conscience.
DNC Resolution 18, which called for a ceasefire and suspension of military aid to Israel, was
first defeated, then a watered-down substitute was quietly withdrawn, and finally the entire meeting was abruptly adjourned. With that, party leadership
extinguished debate while families in Gaza faced more famine and bombardment, and while three-quarters of Democrats
oppose sending more military aid to Israel.
DNC Resolution 18, introduced by 26-year-old DNC member Allison Minnerly of Florida, called for
a ceasefire, suspension of U.S. military aid to Israel, and recognition of Palestinian statehood. A Quinnipiac poll released before the meeting found that 35% of Democrats support more military aid to Israel,
the lowest level on record. Gallup polling likewise shows Democratic support for Israel's Gaza operations has collapsed.In other words, Resolution 18 simply put on paper what the party base already believes. But party leaders, aided by lobbyists and sheep-like DNC members, ensured it never stood a chance.
Resolution 18 was defeated, but the vote revealed just how far support for Israel has fallen in the party.
Comment: There is nothing to gain from violence but much to lose.