"Come Together Against Hate" plans mass walkout of Trump at AIPAC
A group of AIPAC conference attendees are organizing a mass, silent walkout when Donald Trump takes the stage next Monday at AIPAC’s policy conference. Organized by by Rabbi David Paskin, Come Together Against Hate says their goal is not to disrupt the conference proceedings or offend any other attendees.
Their website and protest flyers already posted to the website state they are committed to the “the strong and unbreakable bond between America and Israel” but “our hope is to shine a moral light on the darkness that has enveloped Mr. Trump’s campaign.”
Thousands of attendees will be peacefully and respectfully protesting Mr. Trump’s speech at the conference. Many will be standing up before he speaks and silently leaving the room. Others will be absenting themselves from his introduction as well. All will be joining together outside of the hall to share in learning about Derech Eretz (Common Decency).
Sounds like a fantastic idea.
I don’t get it. This is a PRO Israel Conference (in favor and supporting Israel and Jews. Why in the world would you be so ugly and not support Mr. Trump. Mr. Trump, if elected President, can do many things to help Israel and Jews. Get real.
I agree 100%! Walking out would benefit no one.
Sorry, Delores, Trump is no friend of Israel. He will say, do anything to rally everyone to his latest reality show. He has zero political acumen, zero tolerance for other’s points of view and is a megalomaniac. The day he becomes president is the day America will be ruined forever. We are already in trouble, but he will put America’s neck on the guillotine.
AIPAC is an organization intended to lobby the US Congress and Executive branch in favor of Israel. It is not supposed to favor any political party, either in Israel or the US. Its objective is to promote the policies of the State of Israel.
For that reason, it has invited all the presidential candidates to speak at its convention. The goal is for both Americans who care about Israel and the candidates themselves to learn about each others’ concerns and attitudes. That will clearly benefit Israel.
AIPAC has had victories and defeats. But it is essential that Israel have a voice in Washington. Our enemies have powerful lobbies. We need one too.
In recent years, support for Israel in America has become more and more a partisan affair. This is not good for Israel, because the issue does not align with the liberal/conservative divide in US politics, and traditionally Israel had supporters on both sides. Making it partisan makes it subject to the same gridlock that affects so many issues today.
Although the administration and its friendly media blame PM Netanyahu, there is no doubt that this is part of the deliberate policy to fracture relations between Israel and the American people and Congress that has been in effect since President Obama’s inauguration in 2009 (if you aren’t sure who is to blame, just ask yourself who benefits from the poor relationship).
The threat of a walkout or other demonstration at AIPAC puts pressure on the organization to take a partisan stance (dis-inviting Trump, even if it has to dis-invite all the candidates, would be a highly partisan move). An actual demonstration sends the message that AIPAC is ‘supporting’ Trump by letting him speak.
The actions of the Reform movement have already damaged AIPAC, and therefore hurt Israel. But this is less important to the leaders of the Reform Movement than the need to strike a blow against Trump. Rabbi Yoffie admits it:
Might protests at AIPAC hurt Israel’s cause? They might. Will an ongoing, organized Jewish effort to battle Trump’s bigotry adversely impact Jewish security and well-being in America? If Trump is elected President, it could. But no matter.
No matter?
The Reform Movement has already demonstrated its willingness to push Israeli concerns aside to serve its own goals. It refused to take a position on the pernicious nuclear deal with Iran in order to stay on the good side of its friends in the Obama Administration. Now it wants to sabotage AIPAC.
I can’t believe the Jewish ppl would do this. I’m so pro Israel, I’ve said I’d give my life for them I’ve already given money. If they do this it will certainly change my mind about them! Trump is pro Israel and he is Israel’s real hope. Don’t mess this up for Israel! You say hate speech! He just tells the truth and it’s not hate speech it’s pro America speech and since I’m American I’m fine with the truth since when has the truth been bad! American gov is full of corruption and Trump will get rid of them that’s why they are pouring millions into stopping him! Rabbi’s should wake up, get behind Trump instead of helping the corrupt gov , if you don’t we can only assume you are part of the corruption!