Statement of the SPUSA Co-Chairs – May 31, 2010
As co-chair’s of the Socialist Party USA we condemn the attack by the Israeli Defense Forces on the unarmed humanitarian aid boat The Spirit of Humanity. The boat was carrying desperately needed aid supplies meant to break the inhuman Israeli blockade of Gaza. The death of at least 10 people, the injuring of dozens and the arrest of 20 stands as one of the most egregious attacks on humanitarian workers ever.
We join the activist group Viva Palestina in calling for the immediate release of those arrested so that they may continue their mission. We join the international community, including the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, in calling for an immediate end the blockade of Gaza. Finally, as Americans, we demand an immediate end to all military aid provided by the US government to Israel.
Andrea Pason
Co-Chair, Socialist Party USA
Billy Wharton
Co-Chair, Socialist Party USA
1. Statements by national committees of political parties are news at IPR.
2. The statement that an attack on an unarmed ship on a humanitarian mission is “defense against terrorism” is rather bizarre.
3. Israel is not a predominantly Jewish country. It has a large minority of Arabs, which might even be a majority if the occupied territories are counted – I’m not sure. Most of the Jews in Israel don’t practice any religion, but are Jewish only by ethnicity. However, it’s not entirely secular; several small theocratic religious parties often hold the balance of power and have introduced elements of religion into government.
4. Opposition to Israel is not necessarily anti-semitic — Arabs are also Semites –or even Judaeophobic, although sometimes it is. Others are merely anti-zionist, including some Jews.
5. Socialists are far different from national socialists, who were actually more national corporatist in power.
6. It absolutely is racist to oppose Obama. I am biased in favor of the human race, which is why I oppose him. LOL
Which ones specifically? I am not a fan of making people or groups guilty by association.
There isn’t anything in this or any other statement that mentions Israel being wrong because they are a predominately Jewish country. Furthermore, both Israel and the United States have a majority religious population of around 75% but calling Israel a “Jewish Nation” is just as absurd as calling the United States a “Christian Nation”. Both are secular democracies.
Just look at all the Anti-Semitic groups cited above that are joining with the national Socialist Party. Nuff said.
How does disagreeing with Israel make someone anti-Semitic? That’s just as bad as people saying that someone is racist because they disagree with Obama.
And the National Socialist Workers Party in Germany from the 1930s and 40s would have condemned Israel in defending its Nation against Muslim Terrorists too.
So, another Socialist Party joins the Anti-Semitic fray? Ho-hum. Where’s the story here?