Senator Schumer supports the continued Gaza blockade.

[WileEcoyote]

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/06/11/schumer-strangle-gaza-economically/>Think Progress » Schumer Says It ‘Makes Sense’ To ‘Strangle Economically’ Until It Votes The Way Israel Wants

SCHUMER: The Palestinian people still don’t believe in the Jewish state, in a two-state solution. More do than before, but a majority still do not. Their fundamental view is, the Europeans treated the Jews badly and gave them our land — this is Palestinian thinking <...> They don’t believe in the Torah, in David <...> You have to force them to say Israel is here to stay. The boycott of Gaza to me has another purpose — obviously the first purpose is to prevent Hamas from getting weapons by which they will use to hurt Israel — but the second is actually to show the Palestinians that when there’s some moderation and cooperation, they can have an economic advancement. When there’s total war against Israel, which Hamas wages, they’re going to get nowhere.

And to me, since the Palestinians in Gaza elected Hamas, while certainly there should be humanitarian aid and people not starving to death, to strangle them economically until they see that’s not the way to go, makes sense.



Schumer is technically inaccurate when he declares that:

"The Palestinian people still don’t believe in the Jewish state, in a two-state solution" as recent polling shows that 74% of the people of Gaza do support a two state solution.



However the stranglehold Hamas has over it's constituents makes the people of Gaza's opinion largely irrelevant. They are effectively held hostage by the endless war supporting Hamas leadership. Seen in that regard the blockade will eventually emancipate the Gazans from the tyrannical Hamas rule. Though I doubt we'll find many in Gaza who appreciate that concept right now. Later perhaps. Or at least tacitly. No, I don't expect any roses thrown at the feet of the Israeli armed forces...

Yet I have no problem here stating the minority opinion that Schumer is basically correct. Still don't like the blockade and wish it wasn't necessary. However Hamas has to go. Almost regardless of the cost. It isn't easy making the HARD CHOICES. I ask that everyone please support Israel in this endeavor.

Meanwhile I don't give a damn what the majority here on D/U think about this. You are dead wrong about Israel. In fact your continued attacks on Israel will deteriorate other important Liberal causes. Ones that we do agree on (which is most).

[pscot]

1. Friends don't let friends

do evil shit.

[Township75]

2. That's all we do here.

.

[laughingliberal]

3. First he misrepresents the views of the majority. Then, he advocates human rights' violations.

Major fail. This is where his position is idiocy:

but the second is actually to show the Palestinians that when there’s some moderation and cooperation, they can have an economic advancement.

Kind of like believing Iraq would welcome us as liberators when we were bombing the crap out of their country. Denying people enough to eat and medications as well as keeping them in a 140 square mile prison is not likely to encourage them to be glad you exist. If he was correct, he would have had no need to mischaracterize the opinion of the majority. Seems like a fairly intelligent guy. I doubt he doesn't know the truth. He must just figure most of those who hear what he has to say don't. Hasn't the UN rejected collective punishment at any rate?

edited typo

[MicaelS]

4. I think he's right on one point.....

Their fundamental view is, the Europeans treated the Jews badly and gave them our land — this is Palestinian thinking

[FLAprogressive]

5. Well of course he does because Chuckles $chumer is a noted AIPAC whore.

[WileEcoyote]

6. Better AIPAC gives money to Democrats than Conservatives.

Regardless of where you stand on Palestinian vs. Israeli issues. If Aipac decides to close the door on Democrats? Expect huge electoral losses for Liberals.

The minute I first viewed the Helen Thomas gaffe'(s) I immediately thought of all the disgusting anti-Israeli bullying going around here on D/U. Within a second after that I accurately predicted that Thomas would resign from her WH Press Corps. post. So let her fall be a lesson to all of us.

Attack Israel at risk of most all Democratic Party ideals. It's one bad bad mistake. We will pay dearly if this trend continues. hate to see it happen. And I don't want to say "I told you so". But continue the way you're going?

Huge losses to Dems.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. "..to strangle them economincally" How very "liberal" of you Chuckie.

Not to mention "democratic" because the Palestinians dared to vote for who they wanted.

[Catherina]

8. Rec'd by accident. -1 n/t