>What was decent? How about affirming that many Palestinians want peace, that
>their national aspirations need to be honored for any "just and lasting
>peace", and that poverty will only spur more violence.
Let's look at the whole text again. We have:
* Israel's "darkest hour" * the parallel to 9/11 * "how terrifying the suicide bombs have made daily life in Israel" * "assaults on innocent civilians" - in Israel, that is * "acts of terror" - which context suggests are not those committed by the IDF * "the American labor movement['s]...long and enduring relationship with the state of Israel" * recognition of the "aspirations of the Palestinian people" * "violence that can only spread despair among all people, fueled by even greater poverty and unemployment" * "condemn[ing] acts of terror while moving both parties back to the negotiating table" * "defend[ing] Israel's right to exist and the right of its people to live in peace * continuing "to denounce terrorist assaults on civilians, and we will work to support a just and lasting peace
So we have about nine statements sympathetic to Israel and two sympathetic to Palestinians, witht he wording of the former much stronger than the latter. "Acts of terror" - perpetrated by you know who - paired with agentless "violence." Israel's right to exist, but not a word about Palestinians other than their vague "aspirations." That he was not booed by this crowd, unlike Wolfowitz, shows you just where Sweeney's sympathies lie.
It won't hurt you to admit that the man has a bias.
Doug
>MR. SWEENEY: Thank you very much, Stuart Applebaum. I'm happy to also be
>joined with Morton Barr, the president of the Communication Workers of
>America and a vice president of the AFL-CIO.
>
>On behalf of the 13 million working women (and) men of the AFL- CIO, I stand
>with you to express our support for the people of Israel in this darkest of
>hours. The AFL-CIO condemns all acts of terror directed against Israel and
>its citizens. America's working families, seared by the horrors of September
>11th here in our own country, can begin to imagine how terrifying the
>suicide bombs have made daily life in Israel.
>
>These assaults on innocent civilians at their places of work and rest should
>be named what they are -- crimes against humanity that cannot be condoned.
>(Applause.) These acts of terror will not succeed. The AFL-CIO joins with
>you in calling for an end to all acts of terror. We call on all parties to
>make respect for life and for the dignity and rights of all people the
>cornerstone of peace.
>
>When violence escalates, it is working families who pay the price in loved
>ones lost, homes destroyed and dreams crushed. The American labor movement
>has a long and enduring relationship with the state of Israel, a
>relationship grounded in our solidarity with the Israeli Trade Union
>Federation, the Histadrut. We join with you in asserting the simple reality,
>Israel has the right to exist in security and in peace. (Applause.) We will
>work with you toward that day.
>
>At the beginning of this new millenium, I led a delegation to Israel,
>accompanied by President Morty Bahr and Jay Mazur, then- president of UNITE.
>We met with Israel's political, military and trade union leaders as well as
>with workers from all sectors of society. We traveled to the West Bank and
>met with the Palestinian trade union leaders. We met with workers from both
>sides, who expressed a real desire and commitment to work for peace. At that
>time a secure and lasting peace seemed to be within reach, a peace grounded
>in security for Israel and hope for a prosperous future and fulfillment of
>the aspirations of the Palestinian people. Tragically, the hopes of that
>moment have been shattered. Now we witness violence that can only spread
>despair among all people, fueled by even greater poverty and unemployment.
>The cycle must be broken. Conflict must give way to negotiations. Hope must
>supplant despair.
>
>The AFL-CIO applauds the initiative now under way by Secretary Powell
>seeking to end the violence, to move quickly towards negotiations that might
>lead to a political settlement. We hope it is not too late. As the richest
>nation on Earth and the cradle of democracy, it is incumbent on the United
>States to take the lead in these efforts. The United States must stay
>engaged, using its influence to condemn the acts of terror while moving the
>parties back to the negotiating table.
>
>The AFL-CIO stands ready, together with workers across the world, to help
>rebuild the peace and the region once the violence stops. I will tell you
>this: The AFL-CIO will continue to defend Israel's right to exist and the
>right of its people to live in peace. (Cheers.) We will continue to denounce
>terrorist assaults on civilians, and we will work to support a just and
>lasting peace.
>
>Thank you. (Cheers, applause.)