Rep. Pelosi's aggressive critique of Benjamin Netanyahu, labeling his speech as the "worst" ever given by a foreign dignitary, showcases how a politician can be drawn into the anti-Zionist hysteria.
This hyperbolic and unprecedented attack on an ally of the United States raises questions. Does she feel free to use such excessive language because she in reality believes Netanyahu should have refused the invitation to address the Congress?
Does she think Netanyahu is truly the worst, or, at the very least, a bad foreign leader? And how does she view his country, one that elected him in free and democratic elections?
By denigrating and insulting a foreign leader invited as a guest of the United States Congress, Pelosi has singled out Israel in a way that is both unusual and questionable. What makes Israel deserving of such treatment, and what motivates Pelosi to go to these lengths?
Every member of Congress knows that Israel's Gaza war is not something its leaders wanted, but rather a necessity to neutralize Hamas, a goal shared by the United States. Concerns about civilian casualties and the IDF's military tactics are legitimate and warrant discussion, but Pelosi’s harsh outburst stifles productive conversation.
Regardless of one's opinion on Netanyahu’s politics, it is unprecedented and inappropriate to single him out in this manner. If any other foreign leader had delivered a speech Pelosi found disagreeable, she would likely have responded with a reasoned critique rather than such overt disdain.
Moreover, Pelosi, D-Calif., should be aware of America's longstanding policy to defend Israel against disproportionate global criticism. A core principle of U.S. support for Israel has been to ensure the country is not unfairly and singularly targeted as an ostracized nation.
By singling out Israel, Pelosi is doing exactly what the United States has opposed in international forums like the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, the International Criminal Court and various human rights organizations. This focus on Israel is particularly objectionable given the severe human rights violations often directed against U.S. citizens in countries like Iran, North Korea, China and Russia, and the long list of autocratic regimes that oppress minorities.
Pelosi's remarks, made during a critical conflict for Israel, show a disregard for President Joe Biden’s foreign policy, which aims to avoid emboldening Israel's enemies and maintaining Israeli leaders' confidence in U.S. support.
She has already labeled what Israel has done in response to the October 7 Hamas terror attack as the “worst” response, whatever that could mean. Her outrageous behavior weakens the goal of the Biden administration which is to avoid a greater regional war.
In light of Israel’s assassination of leaders of its terrorist enemies, it becomes even more evident that American politicians who pretend to support peace in the world but dismiss out of hand Netanyahu weaken U.S. power and influence to ensure that the strategies deployed by the two countries are consistent.
If Pelosi were still speaker of the House, she probably would have been more restrained. However, now free from that office, she has aligned herself with extremists who use inflammatory language to criticize Israel.
Congratulations Mrs Pelosi for showing your true colors. If there’s any others in your party, who dare to use the same excessive terms and and are virulent in their opposition to supporting Israel in it’s attempt to defeat its enemies, let them come out of the closet to join you.
Mark L. Cohen has his own legal practice, and was counsel at White & Case starting in 2001, after serving as international lawyer and senior legal consultant for the French aluminum producer Pechiney. Cohen was a senior consultant at a Ford Foundation Commission, an advisor to the PBS television program "The Advocates," and Assistant Attorney General in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He teaches U.S. history at the business school in Lille l'EDHEC. Read Mark L. Cohen's Reports — More Here.