# Peter Beinart in Conversation with Representative Andy Levin

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mGgtGzehX0
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/7mGgtGzehX0

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## Quick Overview

Representative Andy Levin, a Jewish Congressman, passionately advocates for Palestinian self-determination and human rights, believing it is essential for Israel's secure existence as a Jewish state, despite facing significant political intimidation and unprecedented spending from groups like AIPAC in his primary election.

**Key Points:**
- Andy Levin supports the existence of Israel as a Jewish state while passionately believing in Palestinian self-determination, stating, "I truly believe that Jews are a people we deserve self-determination and we should have a homeland of our own but I as a matter of principle I think we really need to support the political and human rights of of palestinians."
- His views are rooted in extensive human rights work, including organizing a hunger strike over apartheid in South Africa, working on Haitian human rights, and witnessing the Tiananmen Square massacre in China.
- Levin introduced the "Two-State Solution Act" to ensure U.S. military aid to Israel is not used to extend the occupation, expand it, or for de facto/de jure annexation, stating, "the military aid we give Israel should simply not be used to extend the the occupation to expand it to for de facto or certainly desure annexation to demolish homes to evict people from their homes."
- He attributes the reluctance of many congressional colleagues to support pro-Palestinian policies to a "politics of intimidation" from AIPAC, which he claims is spending "30 million dollars in democratic primaries mostly with republican right-wing billionaire money."
- Levin defends Representative Rashida Tlaib against accusations of anti-Semitism, calling the idea "ridiculous" and arguing that equating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism is "dangerous for the fight against anti-semitism."
- He believes a two-state solution is still possible, envisioning it starting with 1967 borders, land swaps, and a solution on Jerusalem, all determined by the parties.
- Levin emphasizes that his politics are about "integrity and courage and standing up for the human rights of everybody," connecting the fight for justice in Israel-Palestine to broader progressive issues like climate change and workers' rights.

**Context:** Congressman Andy Levin, son of former Congressman Sandy Levin and nephew of late Senator Carl Levin, is a Democratic representative from Michigan facing a primary election. With a background rooted in human rights activism since college, including work against apartheid in South Africa, advocating for Haitian human rights, and witnessing the Tiananmen Square massacre, Levin brings a unique perspective to U.S. foreign policy. This interview with Peter Beinart, editor at large for Jewish Currents, delves into Levin's deeply held views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, an issue that has garnered significant national media attention and particular scrutiny of Levin's positions, despite not being a top concern for his constituents.

## Detailed Analysis

Congressman Andy Levin, a self-described "Jewish boy from Detroit" with a long history in human rights, labor, and environmental movements, discusses the roots of his views on Israel-Palestine, emphasizing his belief that supporting Palestinian political and human rights is crucial for Israel's long-term peace and security. He recounts early experiences, including organizing a hunger strike against apartheid in South Africa, working on Haitian human rights, and witnessing the Tiananmen Square massacre, which shaped his broad commitment to justice. Levin highlights the political intimidation in Congress surrounding the issue, noting that many colleagues privately support his "Two-State Solution Act"—which aims to prevent U.S. military aid from being used for occupation expansion or home demolitions—but fear co-sponsoring it due to AIPAC's opposition. He criticizes AIPAC's unprecedented spending, often with "Republican right-wing billionaire money," in Democratic primaries to defeat progressive candidates like himself, arguing it undermines the Democratic Party's ability to choose its own candidates. Levin defends his colleague Rashida Tlaib against anti-Semitism claims, stating that equating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism is dangerous and harmful to the fight against actual anti-Semitism. He acknowledges the challenges of a two-state solution but maintains its possibility, advocating for open dialogue and a "new center of gravity" in the Jewish community that prioritizes human rights and coexistence.

### Roots of Levin's Views

- organized a hunger strike over apartheid in South Africa in college
- worked on Haitian human rights, observing a presidential election in 1987 and writing a Human Rights Watch report
- was in China during the Tiananmen massacre in 1989, writing the first Western account of events in Chengdu
- became involved in Israel-Palestine as a graduate student, believing supporting Palestinians was key to supporting Israel

### Core Beliefs on Israel-Palestine

- supports Israel's existence as a Jewish state, believing Jews deserve self-determination and a homeland
- passionately believes in supporting the political and human rights of Palestinians
- states there will "never be peace for a Jewish homeland unless and until we achieve the political rights of the Palestinians too"
- views Judaism as a civilization, not just a religion, emphasizing the mitzvah to "treat the stranger" as oneself

### Challenges in Congress

- observes a "total politics of intimidation" around Israel-Palestine issues in Congress
- notes many colleagues privately support his legislation but are afraid to co-sponsor due to AIPAC's opposition
- criticizes AIPAC for spending "30 million dollars in democratic primaries mostly with republican right-wing billionaire money" to influence elections
- argues this spending is "existential for the question of whether democrats can peep their head up" on pro-Israel, pro-Palestinian stances

### Legislative Efforts and Military Aid

- introduced the "Two-State Solution Act" to address the cycle of violence and structural issues
- bill aims to ensure U.S. military aid to Israel is not used to extend or expand the occupation, for de facto or de jure annexation, or to demolish homes
- believes U.S. aid should be used for its intended purposes, similar to other USAID
- emphasizes the U.S. should be honest with its "best friend" Israel to guide it towards a healthy direction

### Defending Rashida Tlaib

- worked with Rashida Tlaib on progressive causes before Congress, including community benefits agreements
- calls the idea that she is an anti-Semite "ridiculous"
- states that equating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism is "dangerous for the fight against anti-semitism"
- models dialogue with Tlaib despite their disagreement on a one-state versus two-state solution, respecting her vision for a bi-national democracy

### Feasibility of Two-State Solution

- went to Israel and Palestine in 2019 as a skeptic but concluded a two-state solution is "still really could be" possible
- envisions a solution starting with 1967 borders, land swaps of equal size and value, and a solution on Jerusalem, all determined by the two parties
- acknowledges the difficulty of a one-state solution due to the intensity of opposing forces and his desire for a Jewish homeland
- supports the rights of Palestinian refugees and hopes for ways to realize them through negotiation

### Broader Politics of Justice

- connects his stance on Israel-Palestine to his broader vision of justice, including climate change, gun reform, women's autonomy, workers' rights, and fighting racism
- believes building authentic support for justice in Israel-Palestine comes from leading on justice issues domestically
- emphasizes the importance of integrity and courage in politics, stating he will always do what he thinks is right for working people and human rights globally