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In recent weeks there’s been a flurry of legislation aimed at suppressing dissent and criminalizing pro-Palestine protest.
This burst was partially generated by the recent actions in DC, where
thousands of people showed up to condemn Israeli Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress.
The big story of that day should have been the vast opposition to
Israel’s assault on Gaza, and the fact that almost 150 Democratic
lawmakers skipped Bibi’s speech–a big increase from the 50 or so who
boycotted his address in 2015.
However, many chose to make the focal point some pro-Hamas graffiti and the fact an American flag got burned.
Donald Trump, unofficial leader of the U.S. political party
supposedly obsessed with Free Speech, called for flag burners to be
imprisoned.
“You should get a one-year jail sentence if you do anything to desecrate the American flag,” Trump told Fox & Friends when asked about the protests. “Now, people will say, ‘Oh, it’s unconstitutional.’ Those are stupid people.”
Vice-President and presumptive Democratic nominee Kamala Harris put
out a statement criticizing the “despicable acts” carried out by
“unpatriotic protesters.” Her statement neglected to mention what people
were protesting: the arrival of a wanted war criminal who she met with
the next day.
“I condemn the burning of the American flag,” said
Harris. “That flag is a symbol of our highest ideals as a nation and
represents the promise of America. It should never be desecrated in any
way.”
The GOP doesn’t sit these kinds of situations out.
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK) immediately introduced the No Visas for Violent Criminals Act, which terminate any visa and require deportation for any non-citizen convicted of a crime while protesting.
“The Biden administration’s inaction against pro-Hamas mobs has only
emboldened these extremists. Our legislation makes clear that a green
card does not give individuals the right to break our laws in support of
anti-Semitic views,” said Cotton.
Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), who introduced the companion House bill,
details a fictional world in which protesters are ransacking the
suburbs.
“For months, pro-Hamas rioters have terrorized communities across the
U.S. without consequence,” he imagines. “Foreigners who come here to
spread antisemitism, block highways, and deface statues and other public
property must be deported immediately. Senator Cotton’s and my bill
would do exactly that.”
Don’t confuse the No Visas for Violent Criminals with the Veto Your Visas Act.
This one was introduced by Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY) and it would
require schools to report foreign students to the government if they
participate “in activity in support of, or as an endorsement of, a
foreign terrorist organization.”
Of course this crew believes that every action in support of Gaza somehow endorses a terrorist organization. Here’s Rep. Randy Weber
(R-TX), who cosponsored the bill: “If you are in America on a visa and
you’re supporting a terrorist organization, we don’t want you here. This
is the greatest country on earth, and if you’re protesting on behalf of
a bunch of thugs who kill, rape, and torment their own people, you can
take that protest right back to where you came from.”
Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) just introduced
The Restoring Civility on Campus Act, which would hit universities with a
$1 million fine if they fail to immediately act on Title VI complaints
alleging antisemitism. We know that pro-Israel lawfare groups have
sought to equate antisemitism and anti-Zionism so that such complaints
can be used as a tool to crack down on Israel criticism.
This bill is being presented as way to stop campus antisemitism and Islamophobia, but as FMEP President Lara Friedman points out
in her (excellent) legislative newsletter, this is nonsense. “While the
bill (per the bill text) is ostensibly concerned with incidents of both
antisemitism and Islamophobia, the press release accompanying
introduction of the bill makes clear that the backers of the bill are
focused exclusively in targeting antisemitism — which in the majority of
cases of late is code for free speech/protest/criticism in support of
Palestinian rights and lives.”
Yes, these are fairly wacky bills that probably won’t find much
support outside a small group of Republicans, but these efforts help to
build a political culture where related efforts end up seeming less
extreme.
Just look at how many
anti-mask bills have flooded local and state legislatures over the past
couple months. These are specifically designed to target protests and
they’ve gained support from many Democrats.
New York Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, a Democrat who authored an
anti-mask bill in his state, said he introduced the bill because some
Palestine protesters had committed crimes during protests. “I don’t
believe that people should be doing things in secret, without
transparency,” he told
USA TODAY. “If you believe in a cause, then you should be proud of what
you believe in and you shouldn’t cower behind a mask that covers your
entire face.”
The subject of a mask ban was also broached by Los Angeles Mayor
Karen Bass after activists protested a real estate event where stolen
West Bank land was being auctioned off.
Recent events in the Middle East suggest we will likely see more protest and we should expect more bills like these in response.
State Department doesn’t know if rape is a war crime
There are many pathetic spectacles in the world, but few reach the
shameful heights achieved by State Department press briefings.
Over the last ten months government spokespeople have been tasked
with justifying Israel’s brutal assault while simultaneously feigning
concern for the mounting death toll. Everything needs to be presented as
if progress is being made and we are nearing a potential ceasefire,
although Israel clearly has no interest in one and just set any set
chance back with their high-profile assassinations.
I haven’t done much State Department stuff in the newsletter lately
because it’s the same maddening story every time, but I need to mention
an exchange from this week.
Nine Israeli soldiers were recently detained
for the alleged rape of a Palestinian prisoner at the Sde Teiman
detention center, sparking outrage and a violent far-right riot.
Al Quds’ Said Arikat asked Vedant Patel about it during Tuesday’s briefing. Here’s that portion of the official transcript:
QUESTION: Well, okay. Let me ask you about – the Israeli police
detained soldiers yesterday, or the day before yesterday, suspected of
raping a Palestinian, sparking protests and so on. Apparently rape and
killing and torture and all this thing – it happens regularly in Israeli
detention camps. Does that constitute a war crime to you?
MR PATEL: So the reports of abuse are deeply concerning, and we
have been clear and consistent with Israel and the IDF that they need to
treat all detainees humanely and with dignity in accordance with
humanitarian law. We also – I spoke a little bit about this earlier in
the week, Said.
We reiterate the support that an IDF – that the IDF is
investigating some of these allegations of serious abuse of Palestinian
detainees, and that is news that we welcome. And we’re going to let that
process – and we believe in due process, and we’re going to let that
process play out.
QUESTION: ..Now, if proven to be true, that does constitute a war crime, doesn’t it?
MR PATEL: I am not a legal expert, Said. Certainly I imagine it
would be inconsistent with Israeli law. And so of course that is why we
are – we have been clear that the treatment of any detainee needs to be
consistent with international humanitarian law.
There you have it. The State Department can’t say whether rape is a war crime because they’re not legal experts.
The U.N. Security Council adopted resolution 1820 in 2008, which
asserts that “rape and other forms of sexual violence can constitute war
crimes, crimes against humanity or a constitutive act with respect to
genocide.” |