Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is facing mounting criticism from pro-Palestine activists over his decision to attend an event on Tuesday honouring the legacy of late Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin.The memorial made headlines last month when activists successfully pressured Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, known as AOC, into withdrawing from the event.American Muslims for Palestine (AMP), a leading Palestinian advocacy organisation, said in a statement earlier this week that they met with Ellison, who was elected as the first Muslim in Congress in 2007, to discuss their concerns over the event."Despite a lengthy discussion in which AMP presented the facts, Attorney General Keith Ellison is moving forward with participating in the memorial event," AMP said.
Mondoweiss (above) also complained about Ellison, noting what a pro-Israel shill he supposedly is: "
While he was running to chair the Democratic National Committee in 2016, Ellison publicly condemned the BDS movement. “I have long supported a two-state solution and a democratic and secure state for the Jewish people, with a democratic and viable Palestinian state side-by-side in peace and dignity,” Ellison said in a statement at the time. “I don’t believe boycotting, divesting and sanctioning Israel helps us achieve that goal.”
Ellison had been involved with Louis Farrakhan's Nation of Islam, he supported the one-sided Goldstone Report and he voted against giving Israel funding for defending itself from Hamas rockets, and in 2010 he said that American foreign policy is “governed” by Israeli interests. He's not exactly a pro-Israel politician.
But compared to the "Squad," he's positively a moderate.
At the APN event honoring Rabin, Ellison was reported to have called him a human rights abuser before he turned to peace.
On APN Rabin call, Keith Ellison says Rabin was involved in human rights abuses ("breaking the bones") but says "it's brave to fight and risk your life in defense of your country...but if you want to demonstrate true bravery you have to go to your people [and make peace]" pic.twitter.com/itufXF3j4G
— Zaid Jilani (@ZaidJilani) October 21, 2020