Supporting Palestine Helped the Left Win in France and Britain. Will Democrats Learn From It?
Introduction:
The recent parliamentary elections in France and Britain have shown that supporting Palestine can be beneficial for left-wing parties. In both countries, candidates with pro-Palestinian platforms achieved success, despite facing attacks and accusations of antisemitism. This article explores the lessons that can be learned from these election results and discusses the implications for Democrats in the United States.
Lesson for Democrats:
The success of pro-Palestinian candidates in France and Britain should serve as a lesson for Democrats in the upcoming presidential election. President Joe Biden’s unwavering support for Israel and its actions in Gaza is not only a moral failure but also an electoral risk. Young voters, in particular, are increasingly concerned about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, it is unlikely that any Democratic candidate will change their stance on this issue, even though a majority of Democratic voters support a permanent ceasefire.
Fighting Against AIPAC:
The defeat of progressive Rep. Jamaal Bowman in New York should not discourage progressive Democrats from supporting Palestine. Instead, it should motivate them to fight against the influence of groups like AIPAC, which poured millions of dollars into the primary race to unseat the pro-Palestine incumbent. Democrats must unite against AIPAC’s interventions and provide stronger support to candidates who advocate for Palestinian rights.
Lessons from France:
The French example demonstrates the importance of strategic coalitions between center-to-left candidates. By forming a united front, the far-right National Rally party was prevented from gaining parliamentary leadership. Centrists did not abandon their left-wing coalition partners due to their support for Palestine. While the Democratic Party in the U.S. differs from the French coalition, they face a similar challenge of winning the trust of Muslim, Arab voters, and young people.
Complex Election Factors:
It is important to note that the recent election results in France and Britain cannot be solely attributed to support for Palestine. Various factors, such as the desire to unseat the Conservative Party in Britain and strategic coordination between center and left parties in France, played a role. The New Popular Front in France, despite winning the largest number of seats, did not secure an absolute majority and faces obstacles in implementing its political program. However, the unity of left-wing parties is crucial, and support for Palestine should not be sidelined.
The Electoral Benefits of Supporting Palestine:
While it is unfortunate that supporting Palestine is seen as a political strategy rather than a moral imperative, the fact that it can contribute to electoral success is worth emphasizing. Leftist candidates like Mélenchon in France and Corbyn in Britain have shown that standing on the right side of history can resonate with voters, even in the face of attacks and party expulsions.
Conclusion:
The success of pro-Palestinian candidates in France and Britain highlights the potential benefits of supporting Palestine for left-wing parties. Democrats in the U.S. should take note of these lessons and consider the electoral risks of unwavering support for Israel. By fighting against the influence of groups like AIPAC and embracing a platform of Palestinian solidarity, Democrats can appeal to a broader base of voters, including Muslim, Arab voters, and young people. Ultimately, standing against genocide, occupation, and apartheid is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic move in electoral politics.
