Thread by @AbbyMartin

With polls showing notable drop in support for Israel among Democratic voters, the political pressure on 2020 candidates has increased. But in response to this shift, most have made their positions on Israel & Palestine more ambiguous—so let's dig deeper into their views! Thread:

To start, nearly every candidate uses similar rhetoric saying they support a “two-state solution” & unequivocally agree on “Israel’s right to security” while they claim to oppose the “right-wing” in Israel. But these statements are mostly platitudes that obscure or avoid reality.

1. @CoryBooker: Considered one of most pro-Israel Dems. Only candidate to co-sponsor anti-BDS Act. Says he “texts like teens” w/ AIPAC president. Lobbied Black Congressmen to not boycott Netanyahu speech. Co-sponsored resolution against Obama & in support of illegal settlements.

During 2014 Gaza war, @CoryBooker denounced Hamas who “rack up casualties” & sponsored $225 million emergency military aid. Said “there's no greater moral vandalism” than dividing support for Israel & he'd rather “cut off [his] right hand” than abandon it.

2. @KamalaHarris: Regular AIPAC speaker, including off-the-record speech in 2018. Co-sponsored resolution against Obama & in support of illegal settlements. Compared pro-Israel activism to Selma & US Civil Rights struggle.

Unlike other Senators, @KamalaHarris makes no demands for Palestinian rights. Calls BDS "anti-semitic." Jewish Telegraph Agency said "She’s more AIPAC than J Street." Her campaign director says: "Her support for Israel is central to who she is." bit.ly/2KZFGyz

3. Fmr Intel Officer @PeteButtigieg: Joined Israel delegation during height of Great March massacre. Praised Israel security as “moving” days after Israeli snipers killed 60 unarmed protesters. Calls it “model” for US domestic security. Blames violence & misery in Gaza on Hamas.

Buttigieg says he won't reverse Trump embassy move, "What's done is done." Campaign site: "The security and survival of the democratic state of Israel has been & continues to be an essential tenet of US foreign policy." Endorsed by former AIPAC president. bit.ly/2XKxTe2

4. @SenWarren: Called a “surprising Israel hawk” by Forward. During 2014 Gaza war, defended $225M in emergency aid & co-sponsored “US-Israel Strategic Partnership Act” providing more weapons. Blamed civilian casualties on Hamas. Says “Israel is in a really tough neighborhood.”

Warren attends AIPAC dinners; signed AIPAC letter against UN criticism of Israel. Sponsored resolution opposing West Bank annexation. Opposes anti-BDS laws. Of Great March massacre said “Israel has a right to defend itself... but must exercise restraint.”

5. @JoeBiden: Self-described Zionist. Brags of “record-setting” $38 billion military aid deal to Israel under Obama. Falsely states it is the Palestinians who don’t recognize two-state solution. As Vice President he supported US-backed Israeli massacres in 2009, 2012 & 2014.

Biden defended IDF attack on Gaza flotilla that killed 9 peace activists & said “[he spent a lot of time] going to the UN directly… making sure one thing was made clear, Israel had the right—had the right—to impose that blockade.” Calls BDS anti-semitic. 100% rating from AIPAC.

6. @amyklobuchar: Times Of Israel called her “the candidate most closely aligned w/ AIPAC” & was featured 2018 speaker. Says it's an “unequivocal yes” that Israel meets human rights standards. Pledged to uphold Trump's embassy move. Voted for anti-BDS Act: bit.ly/2NxSiiD

7. @BilldeBlasio: Says “Defending Israel is a matter of being consistent with progressive values.” “Deeply opposes” BDS. On recent visit to Israel, condemned Palestinians & hung w/ Netanyahu. Attacked Rep. Omar for criticizing US-Israeli relationship: politi.co/2FRDZzj

8. @BetoORourke: Needs to clarify current position. Attacked by AIPAC for not voting for extra aid in 2014 war. Paid $172k by J Street. Supported 2016 Act prohibiting certain aid to Palestine. Praised by Israel lobby for "strong record of support." bit.ly/2TQ1e21

9. @JulianCastro: Needs to clarify position. Led 2011 delegation to Israel. Pledged to “stand for a strong Israel & ensure that Iran doesn’t have nuclear weapons.” Condemned Netanyahu plan to annex West Bank. Says “we need to recognize & respect human rights of Palestinians.”

10. @AndrewYang: His few, ambiguous statements need clarification, like: "Some of the actions being taken there are deeply problematic" & "Why would we reduce [military aid to Israel]? There are certain relations we need to strengthen. Our relationship to Israel is one of them.”

11. @SenGillibrand boasts she’s “one of the strongest & most consistent supporters of Israel in the Senate.” In 2014, she partnered w/ Ted Cruz on resolution blaming Gaza massacre on Hamas “human shields” & urged $622 million in emergency military aid.

Gillibrand was original sponsor of anti-BDS Act but later withdrew support. Wrote op-ed in Forward about why she “vehemently opposes” BDS as a “pernicious vehicle for anti-semitism.” Co-sponsored resolution against Obama & in support of illegal settlements bit.ly/30bAqf6

12. @marwilliamson: Would reverse recognition of Golan Heights as part of Israel. Opposes BDS. Says her “love for Israel is second only to love for the US” & “The mortal mind alone cannot devise an answer to the conflict, because the true answer lies beyond our mortal thinking.”

13. @TulsiGabbard: Needs to clarify current position. Says she opposes anti-BDS laws. Denounced use of live ammunition on Gaza protesters. During 2014 massacre co-sponsored two separate bills pledging support for Israeli “self-defense” & extra military aid bit.ly/2Xn9fkp

Gabbard gave 2015 speech at Christians United For Israel, a group opposing Palestinian statehood. Received 2016 award from Rabbi Shmuley at a “who's who of defenders of Israel” gala. Said "yes" when asked by @TYT if she opposes Israel's military occupation

14. @JayInslee: Needs to clarify current positions. In Congress signed 2010 letter calling on Obama to ease “collective punishment” blockade of Gaza & support aid for Gaza rebuilding. Signed “Governors United Against BDS” letter in 2017. ajc.org/governors

15. @MikeGravel: “Near-perfect” pro-Israel voting record in Senate. Campaign today: “The two-state solution is dead and we have killed it. So why keep up the charade?” Says AIPAC should register as foreign lobby & calls to end all military aid to Israel. bit.ly/2J9YRDQ

16. @BernieSanders: Record of support for Palestinian rights. Defines his two-state position along int'l law, withdrawing Israel to 1967 borders. Says Israel must end “crushing military occupation” & siege of Gaza. Votes for military aid; threatens to end aid over settlements.

Bernie was only 2016 candidate to boycott AIPAC. Opposes “one state” solution & BDS. Signed letter accusing UN of “anti-Israel bias.” Denounced “indiscriminate” Gaza bombing. Of Great March: “Innocent people are being killed” & “Israel should be condemned” bit.ly/2NG8i2m

I know there are other less popular Democratic candidates, but they all have generic views on Israel not worth discussing, and are not even claiming to be progressives.

Some Democratic Party candidates are clearly better than others, but far from perfect on the issue. One thing they all have in common: None of them will implement positive change in US policy towards Israel without grassroots pressure from a mass movement to #FreePalestine!

Any candidate wanting to clarify their positions, I’ll report it. Specifically, do you 1. Oppose Israel’s military occupation of WB? 2. Support right of refugees under UN Res 194? 3. Support state w/ 1967 borders, withdrawing illegal settlements? 4. Accountability for war crimes?

If you’re looking for more information on Israel/Palestine, check out my work for @EmpireFiles youtube.com/playlist?list=…