The Unanswered Question Behind Attacks on John Kerry’s Prognosis for Israel

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The Daily Beast reported on Sunday that Secretary of State John Kerry warned if Israel and the Palestinians don’t reach a peace agreement, there is a chance Israel could become an Apartheid state. The comment was reportedly made during a closed door meeting with “influential world leaders.”

Criticism of Israel or its policies always comes with a double edged sword. Obviously, anti-Semites latch on to any and all criticisms of the country or its policies to justify their pathological hatred. Individuals who don’t hate Jews or Israel may agree with the critic but they will jump on the attack bandwagon anyway out of fear of being seen as anti-Semitic. In other words, the only option for people who are pro-Semite is to never question anything Israel does.

Apartheid is a system of racial segregation as practiced in South Africa before Nelson Mandela and the ANC brought an end to that system. Usage of the word is strictly verboten in application to any country or policy other than pre-Mandela South Africa. With one sentence, John Kerry broke two cardinal rules in the world of foreign policy. Reaction has been predictably harsh. Abe Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League said:

It is startling and deeply disappointing that a diplomat so knowledgeable and experienced about democratic Israel chose to use such an inaccurate and incendiary term. We appreciate Mr. Kerry’s deep concern for Israel and his desires to ensure that it have a future of peace and security. Even if he used the repugnant language of Israel’s adversaries and accusers to express concern for Israel’s future, it was undiplomatic, unwise and unfair. Such references are not seen as expressions of friendship and support.

Naturally, Republican politicians Eric Cantor, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio used the reported statement as an opportunity to call for Kerry’s resignation and an apology. Of course, Republicans are engaging in political opportunism, and maybe there are some who are hoping if this story takes off everyone will forget about the Republican Party’s group hug with racist nutcase Cliven Bundy, (and hasty retreat when Bundy’s racism became public) or Donald Sterling’s racism.

Maybe they hope we’ll forget the anti-Semitic comments of Jerry Boykin, Pat Robertson or the racism and anti-Semitism that continues to live in the GOP caucus. As of this writing, I have yet to hear a Republican comment on the issue at hand, namely what is in Israel’s future if a peace agreement is not reached with the Palestinians?

I have yet to hear anyone say that Kerry’s prognosis for Israel’s future sans a two state solution is categorically wrong and while doing so offer a different prognosis. Nor have critics offered up what they believe will occur if peace between Israel and the Palestinians is unattainable. Obviously, the thought of an Israel in which the people are segregated is offensive to people who believe in an Israel that is fair, democratic and respectful of the human rights to which all of its citizens are entitled. It’s unthinkable to think of it as anything but that. At the same time, I have to wonder what happens if peace is unattainable?

Image: The Week