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I think Rep. Jared Golden needs to change his position on the treatment of Gaza and his acceptance of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) donations.
There is growing and irrefutable evidence that the Israeli Defense Forces and the Israeli government are actively committing what I consider genocide in Gaza. Beyond maddening is the fact that our U.S. government is providing material and military support to the state of Israel as they murder Palestinians through starvation and through active military violence.
And where is Golden on this issue? Golden, like hundreds in Congress, has taken vast sums of money from the AIPAC, a fundraising organization responsible for promoting and funding pro-Israeli politicians in the United States. The deal seems clear: support Israel without question, and watch your campaign coffers fill with money.
It is a “devil’s bargain” that Golden apparently has no problem striking. He’s done it for several years, and a basic internet search will reveal that AIPAC is far and away Jared Golden’s largest campaign donor.
I believe Mainers are compassionate people, and regardless of one’s views on Israeli statehood, I cannot imagine many Mainers supporting the starvation and murder of Palestinian people in Gaza. So why is Golden voting in support of Israel’s murderous regime? Over the years, Golden has voted to send billions of dollars in military aid to the IDF, did not support a cease fire, and voted to sanction the International Criminal Court simply because the court sought accountability for Israeli officers who were believed to have committed war crimes.
I believe Golden is on the wrong side of history. I think we must demand that he address this issue publicly and cease to accept donations from AIPAC and the pro-Israel lobby.
Jarrod Dumas
Readfield
