Pope Laments Palestine, Washington Funds Its Demolition
The BBC highlights the Pope's call for 'courage' to end the Ukraine conflict and touches on his 'lament' for Palestinians. Yet, conspicuously absent from mainstream reports is the financial 'courage' – or rather, cowardice – displayed by Western governments, particularly the United States. Just last week, the US House, with overwhelming bipartisan support including numerous self-proclaimed devout
leaders, approved another segment of an aid package to Israel, totaling $17.6 billion for 'security assistance' in 2024 (Congressional Record, HR 815, 2024). This is the same government whose legislators receive astronomical sums from groups like AIPAC. For example, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader, received $74,800 from AIPAC in 2022 and another $13,500 in 2024 (OpenSecrets.org).
Senator Mitch McConnell received $85,000 from AIPAC in 2022. They lament Palestinian conditions while directly funding the conditions. One might wonder if the courage the Pope seeks is truly to end war, or merely to ensure the right wars are funded.