Stephen Zunes, in a Guest Commentary, highlights Adam Schiff’s consistent alignment with Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, asserting that it is not an isolated incident. Zunes points out that Schiff belonged to the minority faction of Democrats who endorsed the illicit, unwarranted, and ultimately disastrous United States invasion of Iraq. In his effort to rationalize this support, Schiff resorted to a false assertion that Iraq had somehow managed to clandestinely revive its nuclear weapons program while amassing significant reserves of biological and chemical weapons. These claims disregarded contradictory reports from reputable sources such as UN agencies, arms control journals, think tanks, and others.
Zunes contends that Schiff’s backing of Israel’s assault on Gaza is indicative of a broader pattern in his political career. By drawing attention to Schiff’s previous endorsement of the Iraq invasion, Zunes suggests that the congressman possesses a predisposition towards supporting aggressive military actions. This inclination was demonstrated when Schiff endorsed the Iraq invasion despite its illegality, lack of necessity, and devastating consequences.
Moreover, Zunes accuses Schiff of employing falsehoods to justify his stance on Iraq. Schiff’s dubious claim regarding Iraq’s supposed resurrection of its nuclear weapons program and the accumulation of chemical and biological weapons stockpiles raises questions about his commitment to truthfulness. Zunes argues that Schiff, in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary from esteemed sources such as UN agencies, arms control journals, think tanks, and others, selectively dismissed these reports to bolster his flawed narrative.
Zunes calls attention to the significance of Schiff’s actions and statements as a representative within the Democratic Party. By participating in the minority group of Democrats who supported the invasion of Iraq, Schiff deviated from the prevailing sentiment within his party. This deviation suggests a potential divergence between Schiff’s positions and the broader Democratic stance on matters of war and international conflicts.
In conclusion, Zunes asserts that Schiff’s support for Israel’s offensive in Gaza aligns with his past political behavior. The representative’s previous endorsement of the illegal and ill-fated Iraq invasion, coupled with his unfounded claims to justify that support, raise concerns about his judgment and commitment to truthfulness. Zunes implies that Schiff’s actions and statements should be scrutinized within the context of his broader political career, serving as a potential indicator of his inclination towards supporting military interventions.
