In a wide-ranging interview, I explored the limits of how far a mainstream “pro-Palestine” Democrat is willing to go in rethinking America’s relationship with Israel.
Not bad but he’s got a ways to go still. Why does there have to be a Jewish majority state? We know why it currently is a Jewish majority state (the Nakbah, migration of European Jews etc to Israel). His answer was not satisfactory on the issue. Would a Palestinian state include some land between Gaza and the West Bank so that it would truly be one state rather than two separate zones? And the iron dome question, if Israel can have one to protect its citizens then why not also Gaza, Lebanon etc? I agree that Israel having the dome exacerbates the violence.
What is missing from Ro Khanna's response to the questions posed by Nathaniel is any sense of urgency in addressing Israel's ongoing serial atrocities - beginning with its political leaders and pundits declared intention to collectively punish all Palestinians in Gaza, moving on to its carrying out those acts in violation of the Geneva and Genocide Conventions, its declared intent to flout International Humanitarian Law, including rulings of the ICJ and its orders for Provisional Measures in the South Africa Genocide case, its assassinations of negotiators that were seeking to end its collective punishment and genocidal acts, and its continuing seige of the people in Gaza and pogroms in the West Bank.
Rep. Khanna does not see this deplorable record that has inflammed Western Asia and caused unfathomable suffering, death and destruction, as requiring urgent action.
That is out of step with majorities in the US and worldwide.
It is hard to watch because you are asking well-researched questions looking for clarity and commitment from him and he sounds like he is going through a check list saying "see? you can trust me, I do more than most of them. Me for President!" But you are doing an amazing job pressing him for actual answers.
“Because other states exist with a religious composition” is the best secular defense Ro can come up with for justifying the need or the right for a Jewish state to exist (at the Palestinians expense, of course). I’m glad Jasper gave him a chance to explain himself. I only watched the first 5 minutes but it’s disappointing that Ro’s position is about as good as it gets in our political system. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar seem to be the only ones able to speak their minds about Israel.
I don't understand how he sees this flexibility in how he is defining Zionism, or that he wouldn't identify as a Zionist in its current iteration. Zionism is, inherently, a fundamentalist Jewish belief in Jewish sovereignty to the lands of Canaan. The ongoing annexation of Palestinian land is not an outlier or an aberration, this is what Zionist belief is. It is not possible to be both a Zionist and believe in electoral democracy, his comparison to "Muslim states" or "Hindu states" makes no sense. Is he talking about theocratic monarchies? Or Hindu-majority states within the democratic nation of India, which, ostensibly, allows for religious freedom and does not withhold civil rights from non-Hindus? I don't understand how people can, rightly, balk at the Christian fundamentalist language (like talk of Armageddon within the U.S. military in reference to war with Iran) being used by our own government, but be so blasé when discussing Zionism, as though it's a political ideology that can be separated from fundamentalist religious views. The god of the Old Testament commanded the ancient Israelites to commit genocide, very clearly, in multiple instances, and there were penalties for non-compliance. It's not a shock that eradicating the Arab population would occur with Israeli territorial expansion, it seems like that would be the entire point. Why is it so difficult for our own elected leaders to recognize the religious fundamentalism behind Israeli policy towards Palestinians, and the larger Arab population?
It’s because our elected leaders aren’t committed to justice through logical or moral thinking, and there are no personal consequences for their actions. Like religious fundamentalists, they start with a belief about something and as long as their peers believe the same thing, no amount of evidence or cognitive dissonance will change their minds. As long as they can keep their careers and comfortable lives, and the bombs don’t fall on their property or ICE isn’t knocking on their door, they can always think of a way to justify their beliefs.
I mean, yes, I understand that. I guess I'm more confounded by if, and how, they think anyone actually buys this? It's all so stupid, it's genuinely hurts my stomach.
And why are they always framing the U.S. response to Israeli acts of aggression as needing to "stand up" to Netanyahu? I mean, aside from the possibility that Trump, himself, is compromised and they have blackmail on him, if Israel receives so much money from the U.S., and their safety and continued existence rely this much upon U.S. weapons and Iron Dome funding, why would anyone believe that Israel is acting outside of U.S. military interests, or without the complicity of the U.S. government? I don't like to come up with conspiracy theories, but this is just absurd.
Hi intl lawyer here. I would like to see the U.S. propose and lead on an international statute establishing a war crimes tribunal for Gaza. If Israel has committed a genocide and even the Israel supporters agree that Israel has committed war crimes, then we need a war crimes tribunal - like the Special Court for Sierra Leone. Normally, under IHL, the State has primary responsibility to investigate and prosecute war crimes. But if they are unable or unwilling to carry out that responsibility, then jurisdiction shifts to the international system. Technically, the ICC has (some) jurisdiction over crimes committed on Palestinian territory. However, the ICC is more of a political body than a legal one, and thus it is subject to political constraints. It also has some jurisdictional constraints. Establishing a Special Court for Gaza (and it could include Oct 7 war crimes as well) could pursue dozens of cases, not just a handful of senior leaders, that the ICC is not able to handle, it will provide more justice to more victims, and do this with expediency. See the Special Court for Sierra Leone. So can we start talking about this and get it on the political radar? I want 2028 debates to include war crimes tribunals!
Can someone please explain why our american tax dollars support all of the israelis and free healthcare and schools and fund their military; whilst in our country, they are cutting healthcare and food assistance and free schooling is being under funded and it’s harder and harder to go to college because our economy is upended. I am seriously interested in understanding. I feel angry when i think about this. i don’t blame the jewish people but why is their zionist government so angry and entitled? why do they think we owe them?
Spot on, @RoKhanna—treating Israel as an occupying power violating human rights is long overdue. This interview cuts to the core: end unconditional aid, push for real accountability. A moral imperative for Dems in 2026/28. Keep leading! 🇵🇸 #FreePalestine #EndOccupation
For a politician, Ro is always quite consistent and sincere in his arguments. Great answers all-round! If he runs, he has my vote in the primary as of right now!
Not bad but he’s got a ways to go still. Why does there have to be a Jewish majority state? We know why it currently is a Jewish majority state (the Nakbah, migration of European Jews etc to Israel). His answer was not satisfactory on the issue. Would a Palestinian state include some land between Gaza and the West Bank so that it would truly be one state rather than two separate zones? And the iron dome question, if Israel can have one to protect its citizens then why not also Gaza, Lebanon etc? I agree that Israel having the dome exacerbates the violence.
What is missing from Ro Khanna's response to the questions posed by Nathaniel is any sense of urgency in addressing Israel's ongoing serial atrocities - beginning with its political leaders and pundits declared intention to collectively punish all Palestinians in Gaza, moving on to its carrying out those acts in violation of the Geneva and Genocide Conventions, its declared intent to flout International Humanitarian Law, including rulings of the ICJ and its orders for Provisional Measures in the South Africa Genocide case, its assassinations of negotiators that were seeking to end its collective punishment and genocidal acts, and its continuing seige of the people in Gaza and pogroms in the West Bank.
Rep. Khanna does not see this deplorable record that has inflammed Western Asia and caused unfathomable suffering, death and destruction, as requiring urgent action.
That is out of step with majorities in the US and worldwide.
It is hard to watch because you are asking well-researched questions looking for clarity and commitment from him and he sounds like he is going through a check list saying "see? you can trust me, I do more than most of them. Me for President!" But you are doing an amazing job pressing him for actual answers.
“Because other states exist with a religious composition” is the best secular defense Ro can come up with for justifying the need or the right for a Jewish state to exist (at the Palestinians expense, of course). I’m glad Jasper gave him a chance to explain himself. I only watched the first 5 minutes but it’s disappointing that Ro’s position is about as good as it gets in our political system. Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar seem to be the only ones able to speak their minds about Israel.
Excellent. Thank you for this!
It’s very hard to negotiate peace and a land swap when “israel” has a propensity for assassinating lead negotiators.
The DNC should prohibit ALL PAC money in its primairies - model the behavior you want to implement nationwide!
I don't understand how he sees this flexibility in how he is defining Zionism, or that he wouldn't identify as a Zionist in its current iteration. Zionism is, inherently, a fundamentalist Jewish belief in Jewish sovereignty to the lands of Canaan. The ongoing annexation of Palestinian land is not an outlier or an aberration, this is what Zionist belief is. It is not possible to be both a Zionist and believe in electoral democracy, his comparison to "Muslim states" or "Hindu states" makes no sense. Is he talking about theocratic monarchies? Or Hindu-majority states within the democratic nation of India, which, ostensibly, allows for religious freedom and does not withhold civil rights from non-Hindus? I don't understand how people can, rightly, balk at the Christian fundamentalist language (like talk of Armageddon within the U.S. military in reference to war with Iran) being used by our own government, but be so blasé when discussing Zionism, as though it's a political ideology that can be separated from fundamentalist religious views. The god of the Old Testament commanded the ancient Israelites to commit genocide, very clearly, in multiple instances, and there were penalties for non-compliance. It's not a shock that eradicating the Arab population would occur with Israeli territorial expansion, it seems like that would be the entire point. Why is it so difficult for our own elected leaders to recognize the religious fundamentalism behind Israeli policy towards Palestinians, and the larger Arab population?
It’s because our elected leaders aren’t committed to justice through logical or moral thinking, and there are no personal consequences for their actions. Like religious fundamentalists, they start with a belief about something and as long as their peers believe the same thing, no amount of evidence or cognitive dissonance will change their minds. As long as they can keep their careers and comfortable lives, and the bombs don’t fall on their property or ICE isn’t knocking on their door, they can always think of a way to justify their beliefs.
Thanks
I mean, yes, I understand that. I guess I'm more confounded by if, and how, they think anyone actually buys this? It's all so stupid, it's genuinely hurts my stomach.
I know it was a rhetorical question. But it was a good question anyway. And my stomach feels the same as yours.
And why are they always framing the U.S. response to Israeli acts of aggression as needing to "stand up" to Netanyahu? I mean, aside from the possibility that Trump, himself, is compromised and they have blackmail on him, if Israel receives so much money from the U.S., and their safety and continued existence rely this much upon U.S. weapons and Iron Dome funding, why would anyone believe that Israel is acting outside of U.S. military interests, or without the complicity of the U.S. government? I don't like to come up with conspiracy theories, but this is just absurd.
Hi intl lawyer here. I would like to see the U.S. propose and lead on an international statute establishing a war crimes tribunal for Gaza. If Israel has committed a genocide and even the Israel supporters agree that Israel has committed war crimes, then we need a war crimes tribunal - like the Special Court for Sierra Leone. Normally, under IHL, the State has primary responsibility to investigate and prosecute war crimes. But if they are unable or unwilling to carry out that responsibility, then jurisdiction shifts to the international system. Technically, the ICC has (some) jurisdiction over crimes committed on Palestinian territory. However, the ICC is more of a political body than a legal one, and thus it is subject to political constraints. It also has some jurisdictional constraints. Establishing a Special Court for Gaza (and it could include Oct 7 war crimes as well) could pursue dozens of cases, not just a handful of senior leaders, that the ICC is not able to handle, it will provide more justice to more victims, and do this with expediency. See the Special Court for Sierra Leone. So can we start talking about this and get it on the political radar? I want 2028 debates to include war crimes tribunals!
Can someone please explain why our american tax dollars support all of the israelis and free healthcare and schools and fund their military; whilst in our country, they are cutting healthcare and food assistance and free schooling is being under funded and it’s harder and harder to go to college because our economy is upended. I am seriously interested in understanding. I feel angry when i think about this. i don’t blame the jewish people but why is their zionist government so angry and entitled? why do they think we owe them?
Indeed. So why don’t - or won’t we?
l would vote for that. Is Ro running for president?
All should be withdrawn those settlers are murderers. Are they Mostly from Queens Bronx. ?Cuz it’s Cheaper to buy in Israel. Or do they buy???
Plus I saw a video that IDF supports settlers harassment and killing IDF settlers
Bourdain filmed that back in 2000???
Spot on, @RoKhanna—treating Israel as an occupying power violating human rights is long overdue. This interview cuts to the core: end unconditional aid, push for real accountability. A moral imperative for Dems in 2026/28. Keep leading! 🇵🇸 #FreePalestine #EndOccupation
For a politician, Ro is always quite consistent and sincere in his arguments. Great answers all-round! If he runs, he has my vote in the primary as of right now!