US Labor's 'Neutrality': A Century of Funding Apartheid
The New Arab's feature, 'No Neutrals There,' rightly points out that U.S. labor has been far from neutral on Palestine. What often goes unsaid in mainstream narratives is just how deep this 'non-neutrality' runs—from advocating for the 1948 partition to consistently bankrolling settler-colonial enterprises. Remember, the narrative isn't about mere inaction; it's about active financial and
political support, laundered through seemingly benign 'solidarity' initiatives that conveniently align with U.S. foreign policy. This isn't silence; it's a strategically deployed megaphone for specific interests. While many U.S. unions claim progressive values, their historical and ongoing material support for policies detrimental to Palestinians often goes unchallenged by corporate media. This
selective blindness allows politicians, who receive millions from pro-Israel PACs like AIPAC (which funneled $16 million in 2022 alone, per OpenSecrets.org), to continue the charade of 'even-handedness' while voting for billions in military aid. One might wonder if 'neutrality' means never having to acknowledge the ledger of oppression when the checks clear.