United States: A shameful moment in history

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to Washington DC to address Congress. According to Farrah Hassen of Institute of Policy Studies, it was “a shameful moment in US history.” 

“The International Criminal Court is seeking a warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest for war crimes and crimes against humanity,” Farrah explains. “But instead of arresting him, Congress gave him multiple standing ovations.”

It was the fourth time Netanyahu was invited to address the body — the most for any world leader. But as thousands of protestors outside raised their voices for a ceasefire in Gaza, something was different this time.

Roughly half of the Democratic caucus boycotted Netanyahu’s speech, refusing to be seen applauding — and complicit with — a perpetrator of genocide. 

"Support for Israel has become a thoroughly partisan issue” thanks to this movement pressure, Phyllis Bennis told Democracy Now! 

“The fact that more than 100 Democratic lawmakers decided to skip the speech is a real statement of how supporting Netanyahu has become a political liability for public figures across the United States."

“Our movement has redefined the demand for a ceasefire,” she added. It now means not only an end to the violence, but also “a massive escalation” of humanitarian aid and an immediate halt to the arms shipments Netanyahu came before Congress to demand more of.

In a powerful op-ed before the speech, Khury Petersen-Smith urged members of the Congressional Black Caucus, historically known as the conscience of Congress, to boycott Netanyahu's address. "Make no mistake,” he warned: “This invitation affirms Israel’s genocide” and is “an affront to international law." 

Pointing out the long history of solidarity between movements for Black and Palestinian freedom, Khury called on the Black Caucus to skip the speech, oppose those weapons transfers, and call for a permanent ceasefire.

Ultimately, many key members of the caucus did skip — and Vice President Kamala Harris, who was a caucus member as a senator, told Netanyahu afterward that she “will not be silent” about Gaza. 

Also this week, Americans celebrated the legacy of another key figure who connected movements for freedom at home to movements against war abroad, the late vice president, cabinet secretary, and New Deal architect Henry A. Wallace.

At the First Annual Henry A. Wallace Symposium, co-presented with the Wallace Global Fund and The Nation and co-sponsored by Busboys and Poets, several inspiring panelists talked about "Countering American Fascism: Lessons from Organizing in the US Heartland." 

It was the capstone event of Henry A. Wallace Fellowship, a paid summer internship program to build the future of the progressive movement. The speakers shared lessons from organizing, movement building, deep canvassing work, and Henry A. Wallace’s own life. 

Together, they highlighted how social movements are countering the dangerous force of American fascism by building an alternative vision: a multi-racial democracy and an economy that works for us all.