Since the conflict between Israel & Palestine was re-ignited, the Biden Administration has done its best to avoid taking action save for blocking a Resolution in the UN Security Council, and has studiously avoiding engaging on the issue publicy. Even the normally verbose and commanding Jen Psakai has done her best to avoid engaging directly suggesting this would be handled “behind the scenes” and cutting short any substantive comment.
Granted, the conflict comes as an unwanted foreign policy test at a time when the Administration is trying to pivot away from problems in Europe and the Mid-East to focus more attention on Asia, but given the emphasis Biden has placed on the ethos of American Global Leadership, reinforcing Rule of Law and elevating Human Rights and Humanitarian concerns as a moral compass for foreign policy, the fact that the only visible action the administration has taken runs counter to those ideals looks increasingly like a failed test.
Grated, too, that the Administration was caught understaffed and without much in the way of substantive foreign policy on the Mid-East and I-P specifically.
However, given the historic role of the USA as a key ally of Israel and influencer of Mid-East policy, the fact that Biden has been so reluctant to raise his profile on the issue puts the Administration on shaky ground if it is really going to use the North Star of Rule of Law and Justice to guide policy.
That the administration has only seen fit to run interference for Israel in the UN Security Council, speaks for itself in a loud enough voice that it will be remembered going forward.
Fortunately, several members of Congress have not been so reticent, Bernie Sanders amongst them, and today, Freshman Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) joined by 27 Senate colleagues have introduced a resolution calling for an immediate cease fire.
What Biden’s State and UN Ambassador apparently found unpalatable for action by the UN, a coalition of Democratic and Independent Senators have triggered.
I am personally proud that Freshman Senator Ossoff has led this effort, particularly considering the fact that Daily Kos played a key role supporting his election, and I personally made multiple donations to Ossoff and Warnock, who also signed the resolution.
What I am NOT proud of is how Daily Kos has demoted this issue on the Front Page, with the only sharply drawn critique the cartoon Both Sides Blindness by Brian McFadden on Friday and the rather muddled rumination There are no easy answered for what’s happening in Gaza by Mark Summer on Saturday.
It would seem that, once again, when a situation in the hands of a Democratic president presents difficult choices and the response is, um, suboptimal, Daily Kos reverts to radio silence.
When Trump did his part to make the situation worse, we had plenty to say as a community and a weekend would be flush with stories. Now? Not so much.
Fortunately some of our Senators are not inclined to sit back in silence, and they are to be commended for that.
Got to step away for awhile for Sunday Dinner, be back later.