Letter to the Editor: Sanders, Clinton should not disavow Jewish voices against occupation

If Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders must fire Simone Zimmerman, his Jewish outreach coordinator, for criticizing the Israeli occupation of Palestine and its overseer Benjamin Netanyahu, Hillary Clinton has some similar house-cleaning to do.

Clinton has appeared to embrace the American political establishment’s dogmatic support for Israel and its leadership. In the debate two weeks ago, Clinton declined to condemn Israel for using “disproportionate force” against Gaza in 2014, where 1,492 Palestinian civilians were killed to Israel’s four. In her speech to pro-Israel lobbying giant American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Clinton pledged to fight even nonviolent Palestinian resistance – the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.

However, in January of this year, Clinton was embroiled in controversy over the views of one of her closest advisers, Sidney Blumenthal. In emails to Clinton, Blumenthal criticized Israeli settlers for appropriating Palestinian natural resources and suggested that Israeli militarism endangered American soldiers in the Middle East. In their exchanges, Clinton commended the work of radical journalist and BDS advocate Max Blumenthal, Sidney’s son.

But Clinton should not disavow Sidney Blumenthal, and Sanders should reinstate Zimmerman. The anti-occupation position of Zimmerman is not that of a “small sect,” but a testament to the growth of Jewish anti-occupation organizations like J Street U and Jewish Voice for Peace, both of which have a presence at UCLA.

It is not a coincidence that two Democratic Party candidates have two Jewish advisers critical of the Israeli occupation. Indiscriminate support of Israel is dwindling as Americans realize they can no longer call themselves progressives and be silent on Palestine.

Sarah Schmitt

History student, Class of 2017