By Adam Pagnucco.
Recently, Maryland Matters’ Josh Kurtz asked whether Gaza would be a sleeper issue in this cycle’s state and local elections. While state and local elected officials don’t directly affect American, Israeli or other governments’ policies in the Middle East, many Democratic voters care deeply about that set of issues. It’s also noteworthy that the state and Montgomery County supply funding to the Maryland Israel Development Center, which promotes relations between Maryland and Israeli businesses (including defense contractors).
In examining this question, let’s also acknowledge that the issues at hand go far beyond Israel’s conduct in Gaza. Critics of the Israeli government also point to its activities in the West Bank and its treatment of Palestinian civilians in general. Those on the other side suspect that criticisms of Israel are sometimes a front for antisemitism, especially when combined with slogans such as “From the river to the sea,” which the nonprofit Casa, Inc. used in causing a firestorm two years ago. This column makes no judgment on the contesting claims, but let’s state the obvious: it’s a hot issue, feelings are strong on all sides and it’s hard for any politicians to fully dodge the maelstrom. That was true even before the current war with Iran.
One candidate who got caught up in the politics of Israel and the Palestinians is Josie Caballero, who is running for a council at-large seat. Back in October, I reported that Caballero was seeking the endorsement of the Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America, who asked her whether she supported the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Caballero wrote, “Yes, BDS is freedom of speech and freedom of association. I support nonviolent actions for the community to put pressure on the violent actors who refuse to follow international law.”
Six weeks later, Caballero was endorsed by the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), which represents MCPS teachers and wields the mighty Apple Ballot. Jewish activists who were aware of Caballero’s position on BDS then petitioned MCEA to withdraw its endorsement, which the union has so far not done. Upon learning of the pushback, Caballero told Washington Jewish Week, “I am heartbroken that anything I have said could be interpreted otherwise or cause pain for members of our community… I understand how serious and destructive antisemitism is, and I recognize that it is rising both here at home and around the world — and like all forms of hate, it is a threat to all of us. I am committed to accountable leadership and will learn from this moment and from future difficult conversations around this and many other issues – because that’s how we grow. And it is my responsibility to ensure my words and actions reflect care, accuracy, and respect.”
Caballero also had an anonymous campaign staffer claiming to be a “Zionist Jew” defend her.
Regardless of whether BDS is right or wrong, Metro DC DSA is open about its position on Israel. Here is what the organization says about it on its website.
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The Internationalism Working Group (IWG) aims to build solidarity with global movements for a more just world. We are committed to opposing militarism and global capitalism from the capital of the U.S. empire. Through direct action, political education, and coalition building, we seek to put global solidarity at the center of our socialist practice.
Palestine solidarity is our foremost priority for the foreseeable future and our chapter is committed to stand with the movement for Palestinian liberation. We are working to deepen our organizing for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions on Israel, including by participating in national DSA’s Stop Fueling Genocide campaign against Chevron. We seek to leverage our position in DC to support the demands for an arms embargo on Israel and an end to US support for the Zionist ethnostate.
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Also at play is the fate of the Maryland Israel Development Center (MIDC), a nonprofit that promotes economic ties between Israeli businesses (including defense contractors) and Maryland. The state and Montgomery County both subsidize it, with the latter giving it a grant of $47,206 in this fiscal year. The county has been funding MIDC since FY15 and its grant has most recently appeared in County Executive Marc Elrich’s office budget. (I have asked the executive branch whether it has reappeared in Elrich’s new recommended budget.) Last September, Council Member Will Jawando (who along with the rest of the council has previously voted for this funding) told me the following about his position on MIDC.
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I know that people across the ideological spectrum feel strongly about what’s happening in Gaza and Israel, and many people who I deeply respect have very different views. Here’s mine: We should never use Montgomery County tax dollars to support the development or production of offensive weapons, whether that’s bombs or munitions or anything else. For me, that’s a nonstarter and I will always oppose it. That’s one reason my office is looking into exactly how MIDC funds are used. We can’t keep passing an agreement like this on a noncompetitive basis as a line item on a consent agenda, without discussion or examination. We need full transparency here and public deliberation, and I am committed to getting both.
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So yes, the Israel-Palestinian set of issues has already shown up in MoCo politics. But how much does it matter? We will have more next.