Park and Park: Moulton’s stand on AIPAC funds a huge misfire
On October 15, Congressman Seth Moulton made headlines by announcing his candidacy for the Senate seat in Massachusetts. The following day, he declared that he would return all funds received from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). While Moulton’s decision has sparked considerable discussion, it was notably vague, particularly as it coincided with a hopeful ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. Critics have accused Moulton of taking an opportunistic stance against Israel, especially given the timing of his announcement, which many perceive as insensitive in light of recent atrocities committed by Hamas. This has raised concerns about the implications of his comments, which some argue may inadvertently fuel antisemitism.
In his announcement, Moulton criticized the Israeli government while failing to address the recent brutal acts committed by Hamas against both Israelis and Palestinians. His silence on Hamas’s actions, including the horrific violence inflicted upon civilians, has drawn ire from various quarters. Additionally, questions have arisen regarding Moulton’s ties to Qatar, a nation criticized for its human rights record, particularly in light of his acceptance of a fully funded trip to the country and donations from a Qatari-linked lobbying firm. Critics argue that Moulton’s focus on Israel, while ignoring the complexities of the situation and the actions of other regional players, undermines the very peace he claims to advocate for, which is a political resolution allowing Israelis and Palestinians to coexist peacefully.
The context surrounding Moulton’s announcement is crucial; it came shortly after the anniversary of the horrific October 7 attacks, during which Hamas perpetrated unspeakable violence against innocent civilians. This timing was particularly poignant, as it disrupted a moment of collective mourning for families still grappling with the aftermath of the attacks and the ongoing hostage crisis. Reports of Hamas’s continued violations of peace agreements and the horrific conditions faced by hostages in Gaza further complicated the landscape. Moulton’s critique of AIPAC and the Israeli government, juxtaposed with his silence on the atrocities committed by Hamas and the broader implications of regional governance, raises significant questions about his political motivations and the potential consequences of his rhetoric on an already volatile situation.
On Oct. 15, Congressman Seth Moulton announced that he is running for Senate in Massachusetts. The next day, he announced that he would return all AIPAC funds. He provided little explanation for this decision — or why it comes on the heels of a hopeful ceasefire. His critique of Israel, issued the day after launching his campaign, was opportunistic and fuels the flames of antisemitism.
Equally troubling, in making his announcement, Moulton lambasted the Israeli government while remaining silent on Hamas’s recent atrocities against its own people. He also says nothing about the malfeasance of other governments in the region. Does Moulton support the Qatari government, which the U.S. State Department has described as having significant human rights abuses? He has accepted a fully paid trip to Qatar and donations from a Qatari-linked lobbying firm, according to reports.
The timing of Moulton’s announcement was deeply insensitive, as it came on the heels of the anniversary of the Oct. 7 atrocities. Indeed, at the same time he was denouncing the Israeli government, the Nova Festival exhibit in Boston bore witness to Hamas’s atrocities — a planned, heinous, and gruesome attack on innocent civilians, involving unspeakable sexual violence, torture, and mutilation.
Moulton’s announcement interrupted a moment of reprieve from collective anguish for parents whose children had been held in captivity for 738 days — interspersed with grief for all whose murdered children’s remains are still being held hostage. On the day of his announcement, Hamas was violating the peace agreement by failing to return the bodies of deceased hostages. On that same day, reports were emerging about the unimaginable horrors endured by hostages in Gaza. On that same day, gruesome videos surfaced of public executions carried out by Hamas against the citizens of Gaza. Moulton’s response to all of these abuses? Silence.
As Hamas refuses to disarm, Moulton panders, stating that “a political resolution that allows Israelis and Palestinians to live side by side in peace is exactly the kind of framework I’ve been calling for.” His announcement undermines this goal. The timing of Moulton’s hypocritical rebuke of AIPAC is nothing less than a blatant, self-righteous, and cheap play to antisemitism.
Elyse Richelle Park, Ph.D, MPH, is a practicing clinical health psychologist
Seth Goodman Park, Esq, practices humanitarian-based immigration law
