Walz Standard Issue Pro-Israel Democrat – Supports Continued Arms to Israel, Anti-Semitism Conflation with Lack of Israel Support and Characterizing Pro-Palestine Movement as Anti-Semitic
“The ability of Jewish people to self-determine themselves is foundational,” [Gov Walz] said, according to a recent report in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. “The failure to recognize the state of Israel is taking away that self-determination. So it is antisemitic.”
Kamala Harris has announced the pick of Minnesota Governor Walz as her vice president running mate.
Much of the concern about a pro-Israel vice presidential pick was centered around Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s consideration. He stood out because of the role he played directly in controversies around U Penn that led to the pressured resignation of the U Penn former president Liz Magill. Shapiro had also advocated for defunding any university that divests from Israel related genocide industry or boycotts Israel products and services and relations.
Walz’s direct participation in repression of the pro-Palestine efforts might not have been as extensive as Shapiro’s, though we have reached out to student leaders in Minnesota for additional information. Walz’s policy positions match perfectly to Shapiro’s.
Like Shapiro, Walz supports providing weapons to Israel and the conflation of criticism of Israel and opposition of arming of Israel as anti-Semitic. He also falsely characterizes the pro-Palestine movement as being anti-Semitic. There is no cause of celebration or sigh of relief based upon Walz’s selection by Harris.
Also it is important not to forget that Walz sent the National Guard after the Black Lives Matter protests after the police murdered George Floyd so he is clearly a supporter of repressive measures to movements LIKE the pro-Palestine movement – specifically the Black Lives Matter efforts.
The true test of where Kamala stands on the situation is right now – there has been no new action of the United States to end the genocide since Biden bowed out of the candidacy. The USA has NOT condemned the recent Israel assassinations of Hamas leader Haniyeh in Iran and Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr in Beirut. US armed forces are being rushed to the Middle East in support of Israel as the setting for a major Middle East confrontation is moving forward.
There could be an attempt to present Kamala’s selection of Walz as some big victory – but policy wise he is ditto of Shapiro.
The most important measures for Kamala on Palestine are:
* There has been no new US initiative to end the genocide since she has risen to the presumed candidacy.
* She did not condemn the Israel assassinations and she has expressed Iron Clad support for Israel meaning she intends to put US GIs at risk for Israel’s genocide supporting international assassination spree.
The Democratic Party is playing the war card to win in 2024. It is not time to get behind the Democratic Party just because Kamala picked a VP candidate with less record on repression of pro-Palestine – but who holds the exact same position in support of the repression.
We will continue to research further Walz’s Palestine vs. Israel positions but we are first and foremost focused right now on supporting Jill Stein’s emergency message for the US to play a role to reign Israel in from its reckless barrelling forward toward total Middle East War. If that effort is unsuccessful, this planet could look very different by November.
