2020 presidential candidates Joe Biden and Cory Booker angered an anti-Israel group in recent days for failing to answer the group’s questions about the “occupation” to their satisfaction.
The left-wing Jewish group IfNotNow, which is dedicated to “end[ing] American Jewish support for the occupation,” posted videos on social media of activists questioning the presidential candidates.
One of their activists spoke to Booker on Saturday and praised his work on criminal justice reform, but added that, “It’s been really difficult and painful for me to understand as you’re speaking out against mass incarceration, how the imprisonment of Palestinian children, thousands of them in military prisons, is something you could ever be OK with.”
She then brought up the “occupation” and asked if he thought it is a “human rights crisis?”
He responded by saying that he wouldn’t answer the question in a manner that would appease her.
Yesterday, we asked @CoryBooker “Do you believe the Occupation is a human rights crisis for Palestinians?” He got visibly frustrated.
He admits: “If that’s your issue I would understand if you want to support somebody else”
Looks like he’s choosing @AIPAC over the grassroots. pic.twitter.com/vPX5WH1P2O
— IfNotNow? (@IfNotNowOrg) July 14, 2019
“We may not agree on strategies, but we agree on outcome … You’re not going to get me to address that question as you want, and I know that that’s a question that you’ve been asking every presidential candidate,” Booker stated. “But I’m working on this issue, probably more than any other foreign policy issue.”
“That’s really disappointing, because people are suffering, and we need leadership,” she responded.
“Looks like he’s choosing @AIPAC over the grassroots,” IfNotNow said on Twitter about the New Jersey senator. “Booker’s close relationship with @AIPAC is not new, nor is he ashamed of it.”
Biden was also approached by IfNotNow activists over the weekend and the interaction played out similarly.
“Will you commit to meaningfully pressure the Israeli government to end its occupation?” the activist asked Biden.
Yesterday our member, Sarah Kate, pressed @JoeBiden on the specifics of how he‘ll pressure Israel to end the occupation. She asked 3 times. The more she pressed the more Biden retreated into AIPAC’s anti-Palestinian & false talking points. pic.twitter.com/GdURA3r1FF
— IfNotNow? (@IfNotNowOrg) July 14, 2019
“Yes, but also got to pressure the Palestinians to stop the hate,” he responded. “The Palestinians have to step up too and be prepared to stop the hate. It’s a two-way street.”
Biden then confirmed Israel’s right to exist saying, “They are entitled to have a Jewish state in the Middle East that’s safe and secure.”
Biden: “Not one single solitary Palestinian has said, I agree that there will be a Jewish state in the region.”
Y’all. How‘s this racist lie still a talking point for Democrats when Netanyahu is openly advocating annexation & most of the Knesset opposes a two state solution?
— IfNotNow? (@IfNotNowOrg) July 14, 2019
The group expressed their displeasure with the former vice president’s comments on Twitter.
“Y’all. How‘s this racist lie still a talking point for Democrats when Netanyahu is openly advocating annexation & most of the Knesset opposes a two state solution?” they asked. “The US led many failed diplomatic efforts, including when Biden was VP. But let’s be clear: There is only one government that rules the land and people between the river and the sea. Blaming both sides for the Occupation is a distraction to avoid holding Israeli gov responsible.”
The group has approached most 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. Last week, Sen. Elizabeth Warren agreed with IfNotNow saying that she’ll push to end Israel’s “occupation.”
