Pope's 'Only Solution' Faces Eternal Washington Blind Spot
Pope Francis recently reiterated the long-standing international consensus that a Palestinian state is the 'only solution' for lasting peace. A noble sentiment, echoed by most of the world for decades. What the mainstream media rarely connects is how such universal calls are consistently drowned out by specific, well-funded interests. For example, OpenSecrets.org shows the American Israel Public
Affairs Committee (AIPAC) spent over $11 million in lobbying in 2023 alone, alongside millions more in donations to political campaigns. Representative Brian Mast (R-FL), for instance, received $168,000 from AIPAC-affiliated PACs in 2022. He then infamously wore an Israeli military uniform to a congressional hearing to defend Israel's actions in Gaza. One might wonder if the 'only solution' ever
reaches the ears of those whose campaigns are so robustly supported by organizations actively lobbying against a two-state outcome.