Awawde underscored that America is not a neutral player. "Unconditional military arms doesn't make sense. The United States isn't enforcing their own [Leahy] laws. There has to be consequences for Israeli politicians." Looking ahead, Awawde expressed concerns about the lack of "red lines" and the larger regional picture. "This can go to Jordan and Egypt," he said.
The American election came up. Awawde proposed, "With Kamala, we'll have bought some time." He took Congress to task, stating that the "average Congressperson is anti-Palestinian. They talk about Tlaib like she's Hitler." (Another brouhaha recently developed when Rep. Tlaib and Michigan's Attorney General Nessel got into an argument amplified by two CNN anchors which was then followed up by comments from Jonathan Greenblatt of the ADL.)
There was a discussion of the alliances formed between two right-wing entities. The dollars that come from American Jews who directly support Netanyahu and the settlement endeavor and the millions of Evangelicals who fund Christian Zionism and back Israel unequivocally.
So, how do we move forward?
"You can't sell peace in wartime," Awawde said. "We need the smartest, toughest people to enable the road to peace. Our futures are intertwined. There is no one without the other."
Awawde recognizes that Israelis who oppose the Occupation and militaristic tactics are seen as "traitors" by others. He, too, has faced accusations under the banner of "normalization". He explained that it was more pronounced before October 7 because then "the conversation was theoretical". Some fellow Palestinians didn't like that he had so many Jewish followers on social media. "Do you talk with your oppressor?" Awawde asked rhetorically.
It's precisely the road that he sees as leading somewhere.
Separating the Israeli people from the messianic radical sector is essential for Awawde. "I humanize Israelis because I've met amazing people. Most Palestinians think all Israelis are settlers and soldiers. Over the years, people on the left are leaving. More right-wing Jews are coming."
Advocating the option of building a moderate camp of Israelis and Palestinians, he suggested working from the outside. "Why must we stay in a bloodbath until we reach a solution? We can learn from history and enable the road to peace."
In closing, Gayer underscored, "Israel is the canary in the coal mine. The right is a global thing. We have to improve the situation as much as possible."
The meeting ended in time for people to head over to 14th Street for the weekly vigil by the statue of George Washington. Here, Awawde would speak to a new group of American and Israeli Jews who will continue to convene "every Sunday until the war is over".
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