LETTER TO THE EDITOR / DON’T THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER
By Roger C. Kostmayer
There are reports from Reuters and other journalists that many Muslim and sympathetic Americans in key states, are refusing to vote for Kamala Harris because the US is complicit in the genocide war between Hamas and Israel. Many say they will vote for 3rd party candidate Jill Stein. If that happens, it could tip the scales in favor of Donald J. Trump as President of the United States.
I understand and share the feelings and frustrations with inhumanity, but we Americans shouldn’t confuse who the enemy is and who are the victims. Many share blame for failing to do the right and humane things at the right time – if they could. There’s a huge power difference, however, between a President, a Vice President and a Prime Minister. Clearly, Bibi Netanyahu and Hamas are responsible for the unjustifiable horrific October 7 attack; and Bibi and his extreme right wing militarists are responsible for the 41,000 deaths, most of whom were innocent women and children.
VP Kamala Harris has said the right things and shared her feelings publicly – but she is not the President. She approves of stopping certain US offensive weapons (superbombs) from going to Israel, she wants the war to cease ASAP, the hostages to be released, and a Two State Solution to be implemented, and that requires cooperation from both Bibi and Hamas. She is also on record for opposing any occupation by Israel of Palestinian land. As VP, she must support the delicate and difficult diplomatic negotiations currently underway and, if successful, that would implement her objectives even while Bibi is sabotaging our efforts.
In fairness, it is only when Kamala is President that she is responsible for American policy. There will be no greater tragedy than to have humane Palestinian supporters responsible (or perceived to be) for Trump’s victory – and that is what they are playing with. And that is also what Bibi wants.
Achieving peace, protecting Israel defensively, releasing hostages while they are still alive, enforcing the 1997 Leahy Law that requires an arms embargo on Israel, are all important and reasonable American objectives if necessary. As US President, this difficult and complex issue should be one of Kamala Harris’ first solutions.
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