The current Biden-visit flap about construction in East Jerusalem and Prime Minister Netanyahu's exploitation of the situation in the U.S. to self-righteously rally American Jewish supporters of Israel for increased financial and political support seems a transparent attempt by a foreign government to shape U.S. foreign policy as it effects the entire Middle East and beyond. While I understand the sentimental significance of Israel as Jewish Homeland, I do not understand how a nation, formed in reaction to persecution and prejudice, can continue to foster socioeconomic, ethnic apartheid within its borders. To exploit a contentious issue, like increased incursions into traditionally Palestinian areas, seems to indicate that the Israeli government is committed to solidifying that apartheid, rather than loosening and eventually dismantling it.
Palestinians are impoverished and debased. Some may say by their own doing. However, an impoverished and debased population will not respond to more debasement and more marginalization with anything but hatred and violence. As a person with some genetic Jewish roots, I fail to see how rational, democratic, American Jews can cheer and hoot Mr. Netanyahu's obvious delight at goading the Palestinian people. This looks like hatred-based, ethnocentric bullying to me.
