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There was probably nothing uglier for justice and rights than the sight of the US Congress giving a standing ovation to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even as his bombs continued to annihilate Palestinians trapped in the Gaza strip. Even as students across America protested, with Hollywood celebrities like Susan Sarandon joining the call to arrest Netanyahu, a war criminal with the blood of innocent women and children on his hands, the representatives of the people in the supposed democracy stood in applause as he addressed them. This, if nothing else, was a clear testimony of the American establishments complete support —Republican and Democrat— for the genocide that has destroyed the Palestinians with new deaths being reported from thirst and starvation. Collectively the American establishment demonstrated its complete callousness and indifference to all the values that are supposed to be enshrined in a democracy — freedom, rights, justice, compassion,peace, love—and through the ovation put itself on the other side of the fence. The fig leaf that the Biden Administration was proffering through its spokespersons over these many months since October last was finally ripped off by Netanyahu, and the evasiveness disappeared into the full blown embrace.
It was interesting, thus, that the Democrats Presidential nominee Kamala Harris stood apart. At least for this moment, in the run up to the final elections, and even though she could not get out of a bilateral meeting with Netanyahu, she claimed that she stood against the suffering of the people of the Gaza and for a ceasefire. This basic statement was more than what President Joe Biden has been able to articulate with any conviction over these months, and hence has created some kind of a ripple of positivity amongst those supporting the Palestinians and standing up for rights and freedom. There is no doubt that American foreign policy is controlled by the deep state, and that US Presidents have a fairly free hand domestically but are bound by invisible shackles when it comes to sensitive foreign relations.
Harris, of course sounded, far better than her Republican Donald Trump on the Palestinian issue as just a few days ago his rally had speakers endorsing Israel openly and brazenly. It was made clear that a Republican government in power would further Netanyahu’s cause, and ensure the complete annihilation of the Palestinians trapped in their own land. And that the crassness and nastiness visible in Trump’s campaign would be given teeth if he managed to come to power. Harris has, on the other hand, brought in a new narrative on Gaza and the Palestinians over which even her party is clearly divided.There have been few Democrats who have spoken out against Israel in Washington, as this sentiment for justice is clearly not running through the Democratic veins. Against this background, Kamala Harris has shown some courage and it remains to be seen whether she will be able to take this forward if she makes it to the White House.
There is no doubt, however, that she has brought new dynamism and fervour and flavour to the campaign within a matter of days. She has spoken out for women’s rights on the controversial abortion issue; on workers rights and Unions being the backbone of American democracy; and more recently on the Palestinian issue where she certainly did not come out on the side of Israel. She has spoken of looking at the future and not a divisive past; and for Freedom that has been made fundamental to her campaign. All an exciting mix but the next few weeks are crucial to keep the surge and establish Harris as a formidable candidate in the run up to the Presidential elections. Currently the Trump campaign has to recover from the shock of having to deal with her rather than the foggy President Biden; and Trump as always is ranting and raving in speeches that are increasingly hostile, aggressive and yet pathetic. All said and done it is an important election, more so as it is becoming a referendum on American democracy.
