With over 60,000 Palestinians killed and an ongoing man-made famine that has killed more than 150 people, mostly children, this hardly seems like any victory. After all, the US Senate just successfully blocked the effort.
However, this is the first time a majority of Democratic senators, including some from swing states, have decided to use their power and leverage to stop arming war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu. Two years ago, this would have been considered impossible. It’s a reflection of how Democrats are waking up to the reality that their base, and a majority of the world, has become radicalized against Israel’s genocide and occupation and demands justice and freedom for Palestinians. The polls have shown a remarkable shift in the past two years, and all of the racist smears against Zohran Mamdani have failed. The young Muslim American candidate for mayor has spoken out in favor of Palestinian rights and has the support of a majority of Jewish voters.
Still, many within the Democratic establishment continue to be beholden to AIPAC, Israel, and corporate donors. Senators Schumer and Gillibrand have yet to endorse Mamdani and, unsurprisingly, didn’t join in this vote with 27 of their colleagues.
Huffington Post Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Akbar Shahid Ahmed has been covering Gaza for the past two years and is finishing a book on the Biden Administration’s role and complicity in Israel’s ongoing war crimes. He joined me for a late-night chat about why this vote matters and how Democrats must evolve for the sake of winning back their base and ensuring they emerge on the right side of history.
Thank you Rasha Refaie, Lisa 🌿🔍🔎🌈, Leah Anderson, Kathy Gannon, Kiera Stroup, and many others for tuning into my live video with Akbar Shahid Ahmed! Join me for my next live video in the app.
