Misplaced Priorities: Reflecting on Netanyahu’s visit to D.C

Recently, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress, where many members of our government showed their support. During his address, he made several controversial statements, including outright lies about the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. It was distressing to witness the rounds of applause he received from members of our government for downplaying a genocide and creating a victim complex. Previously, these statements might have been considered controversial; however, now one would have to argue with the International Court of Justice, which has recently issued war crime charges against Netanyahu and ordered Israel to halt its military assault on Gaza.

This situation deeply upsets me because Israel exacerbated the conflict with its disproportionate response to the attacks on October 7th. As a result, the U.S. is now involved in a proxy war funded by American tax dollars. This week, I personally experienced the effects of a government heavily influenced by foreign interests. I am currently staying in D.C. for an internship and participating in a Sikh youth program for the summer. Consequently, I have experienced transportation cancellations and delays due to road closures and areas being blocked off for Netanyahu’s arrival. This may seem insignificant, but it caused me to be an hour late to work, which was extremely frustrating.

Every year, as part of the Sikh youth program I’m in (SALDEF), we host an event on Capitol Hill where we serve free meals (langar) to U.S. Congress members and staffers. It is an invaluable opportunity to educate them about our faith and culture and bridge the gaps we face in representation. The other interns and I had been working hard to plan this event, but due to security concerns surrounding Netanyahu’s arrival, it had to be canceled. Additionally, I have seen videos of people being arrested and pepper-sprayed by D.C. and Capitol Police for rightfully protesting within their constitutional rights.

This sequence of events makes me wonder what is so special about Netanyahu that we are wasting our tax dollars violating the rights of peaceful protesters and halting nonprofit events to secure the safety of a man wanted by the ICJ. Since when did the priorities of another nation supersede ours? Spending a summer in D.C. has opened my eyes to the stark reality of homelessness in the United States. Millions of Americans lack health care, face food insecurity, and struggle to afford education. Yet, somehow, providing aid to the siege on Gaza is deemed more important than addressing the needs of Americans.

Netanyahu is problematic even in his own nation. Before October 7th, he was being investigated for fraud. Many Israeli citizens are protesting to remove him and change his methods for resolving the hostage crisis. He is not appreciated by the people he serves, yet U.S. Congress members applaud and smile for him.

Your personal view on the conflict is irrelevant to understanding how bizarre our involvement actually is. These are your tax dollars being used to support a nation halfway across the world that created its own problems. As an American, what is Israel actually doing for you? We send them endless encouragement and millions of dollars, but what have they done for us? As far as I’m concerned, they are a deadweight we maintain simply to have a presence in the region.

It is alarming when our government can be more sympathetic towards another nation’s needs while our own people face hardships.

by Harman Kohli