OPINION: Two NC Democrats just rejected AIPAC money. It’s the right move, but just one step toward healing.

Amid the turmoil in Gaza, two NC Democrats, US Congresswomen Deborah Ross and Valerie Foushee, are no longer taking funds from the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC. A North Carolina progressive gives his take on what needs to happen next. 

Last month, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (D-Raleigh) announced she would no longer take money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the influential, pro-Israel lobbying organization. Her decision came shortly after another NC Democrat, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee (D-Hillsborough), announced the same. 

This marks a notable turn for two NC Congresswomen, who have both received hundreds of thousands of dollars from AIPAC, and, it should be celebrated as a major turning point for NC Democrats.

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I do have questions, though. I find it troubling that either representative took AIPAC money in the first place. Furthermore, I find it even more troubling that Foushee went on an AIPAC-funded trip to Israel to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in 2024, amid Israel’s devastating war in Gaza. 

So how can we move forward with them and trust their support for the people of Gaza? How can we celebrate their decision of support when it came after so many  Palestinian children have already been killed? 

While these leaders should be celebrated for their shifts, , how do we reconcile that they came after so much pain and suffering has transpired?

American history is filled with this dilemma. 

As a pastor for over 20 years, I have seen this situation play out many times, particularly in relation to supporting the LGBTQ+ community in the church. Over the last fifty years specifically, countless church leaders have made it a point to demonize the gay, lesbian, and trans community. Much intentional harm has been done to the LGBTQ+ community by the Christian church, which resulted in irreparable amounts of pain and suffering. 

However, as sentiments changed, I witnessed many occasions where pastors who had previously demonized the LGBTQ community turned and became supporters. Here, too, we face a similar dilemma. While these leaders should be celebrated for their shifts, , how do we reconcile that they came after so much pain and suffering has transpired? 

Does the pain they caused get pushed under the rug because they have changed their minds? And what about the suffering of the Palestinian people? 

Here is what I would suggest:

Both Foushee & Ross should meet with the Arabic community in the Triangle and listen to their pain: listen and receive their sorrow while not offering a defense or justification. Say with their presence, I’m sorry and I see your pain.

They should ask this community what they need from their elected officials as it pertains to Gaza.

Finally, they should do what is asked. Become a champion for the people they have previously worked against. Co-sign the Block the Bombs Act (which Foushee has done) and fight for its passage. 

People change their minds on positions of public interest and social justice, and doing so should be celebrated. However, I believe the process of change is not complete until healing is accounted for. We cannot reverse the decisions we have made, but when we shift to stand for justice, we must acknowledge the pain we caused. We must commit to standing beside those we have hurt and become a champion for their flourishing.

Both Congresswomen Foushee and Ross have an opportunity to do just this. They’ve taken the first step, and hopefully will continue to work towards true healing – for the good of all the people of NC.