Morally bankrupt

by Timothy Adams, Stevensville

As the people of Gaza endure starvation and devastation, our political leaders in Washington — in both major parties — seem unwilling to confront the policies that have brought us here. The state of Israel has long exercised an outsized influence over both Democrats and Republicans, ensuring that meaningful debate on its treatment of Palestinians is stifled before it begins. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been a consistent voice pushing the United States toward imperialist wars in the Middle East since at least 2002, when he urged Congress to support the invasion of Iraq. He has also cynically bolstered Hamas to maintain his own grip on power, reportedly telling members of his Likud party they must support Hamas to keep Israelis fearful and divided, and even facilitating the transfer of funds to Hamas. These choices have not brought peace or democracy; they have brought destruction, instability, and immense suffering to millions. The financial costs — trillions of dollars — could have been invested here at home to strengthen communities, improve healthcare, and address poverty. Instead, they have drained resources from Americans who need them most. 

For Republicans in power, this continued funding of war is a direct betrayal of their professed “pro-life” values. To claim to defend the sanctity of life while enabling policies that kill and starve innocent men, women, and children is moral hypocrisy of the highest order. It is also a betrayal of the “America First” principles many claim to uphold — putting the interests of a foreign nation above the safety, prosperity, and needs of our own citizens. When politicians from Montana, such as Greg Gianforte, choose to fly the flag of Israel outside their offices instead of focusing on the needs of their constituents, it sends a clear message that their priorities lie elsewhere. When Netanyahu feels comfortable taking extreme actions such as pre-emptively bombing foreign nations, assassinating foreign leaders in embassies and ethnically cleansing Arabs for their skin color or religion with the full endorsement of Biden and Trump, one wonders who really controls the levers of power in our “democracy.”

If America truly wishes to be a force for good, it must stop bankrolling violence and start advocating for justice, humanitarian aid, and an end to the blockade and occupation that are causing untold human suffering in Gaza. Americans need to realize we will never live in a true democracy as long as both parties are more loyal to the foreign state of Israel than to America. Steve Daines, Ryan Zinke, stop spending my tax dollars on bombs to murder children!