Co-blogger Holly sent me an email about a online chat with Democratic Israel Working Group. I was interested to see the co-chairs of the group:

Rep. Henry Waxman (CA)
Rep. Alcee Hastings (FL)
Rep. Linda Sanchez (CA)
Rep. Gene Green (TX)

A fair amount of diversity (Hastings is Black, Sanchez is Latino). Waxman is the only Jewish leader on the board. Green himself replaced one of the group founders, Rep. Robert Matsui (CA) who himself was Asian-American (and a role model for reasons wholly unrelated to his Israel policy) after Matsui’s untimely death. This is, to be clear, a good thing. I think it’s extremely important to build support on this issue beyond religious lines, and show that this isn’t just a “Jewish” thing–it’s an issue that matters to progressives of all stripes and denominations.

From Green’s website:

The Democratic Israel Working Group believes it is a moral and strategic interest for America to stand by its closet ally and friend in the Middle East, Israel. For generations, Democratic support for Israel has been deeply rooted in a partnership between the American Jewish Community and the Democratic Party. As an extension of this partnership, Democratic Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have joined together to form the Democratic Israel Working Group (DIWG). With a strong voice, DIWG will promote pro-Israel policy positions, lead outreach efforts to the Jewish community, and be a resource to the member of the Democratic Caucus.

The link to the just-concluded online chat (also including Rep. Steve Israel (NY) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA)) is here. It’s good reading. While I continue to think that Rep. Pelosi hurts the party every time she speaks (not necessarily because she’s wrong, just a particularly poor orator), I will give her credit on this exchange:

Dore from East Northport, NY asks: Democrat and former president Jimmy Carter calls Israel’s policy in the Gaza and Judea and Samaria “a system of apartheid, with two peoples occupying the same land but completely separated from each other, with Israelis totally dominant and suppressing violence by depriving Palestinians of their basic human rights.” in his new book-as the “Israel Working Group” trying to portray yourselves as friends of Israel are you willing to state unequivocally that this statement is wrong and Jimmy Carter is completely off base in portraying Israel in this way-if so please do so and if not please explain why you will not.

Leader Nancy Pelosi responds:

With all due respect to former President Carter, he does not speak for the Democratic Party on Israel. Democrats have been steadfast in their support of Israel from its birth, in part because we recognize that to do so is in the national security interests of the United States. We stand with Israel now and we stand with Israel forever. The Jewish people know what it means to be oppressed, discriminated against, and even condemned to death because of their religion. They have been leaders in the fight for human rights in the United States and throughout the world. It is wrong to suggest that the Jewish people would support a government in Israel or anywhere else that institutionalizes ethnically based oppression, and Democrats reject that allegation vigorously.

Anyway, interesting stuff.