Progressive Jews Tested By Gaza Crisis

As the Israeli bombardment of Gaza enters its fourth day, there is no shortage of tests. The wisdom of Israeli strategy is being tested. The resilience of the Palestinian people is being tested. The ability of the U.S. and the international community to impose a ceasefire is being tested.

And the might of the new progressive American Jewish infrastructure that emerged in 2008 -- unapologetically pro-peace and pro-Israel -- is undergoing its own test as well: How to effectively argue that an Israeli war is counterproductive to Israel's long-term security while the bombs are falling.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[randyjet]

The Israelis have encircled the contained Palestinians.

Just what do you think the UN did in WWII to the Nazis? Think we should have given them medicine and food to keep up the fight?

Actually Israel has NOT encircled them since Egypt CLOSED the border because Hamas murdered the PA border guards who were the legitimate guards. They refuse to re-open it until Hamas restores the PA authority. Hamas is a fascist political party which has to be destroyed. They are at WAR with Israel, and so the rules of war apply. Think the Egyptians are as bad as Israel too? They aren't allowing ANYTHING into Gaza.

[MissUnderestimated]

The powers that be will not listen to the people who want peace.

[Plowboy]

Looking on the face of evil and smiling contentedly is not an exhibition of wisdom in action.
Nor is it likely to produce any positive results.
Now let us see if there is any other reaction by anyone with power to maker a difference!

[Mogamboguru]

Make no mistake:

"W" WANTS "I" to succeed in G.a.z.a as well as in the W.e.s.t.b.a.n.k in the long run.

I have noticed, that "I"'s "Clean Break" and "W"'s "B.u.s.h-Doctrine" are virtually identical in goals and meanings - while different only in he scale of their reach - but not much.

"Clean Break" - http://www.iasps.org/strat1.htm

"B.u.s.h-Doctrine" - http://www.newamericancentury.org/statementofprinciples.htm

"Walk separately - s.t.r.i.k.e. united!" - anyone?

[Mogamboguru]

THIS is rich - from TimesOnline:

"I.s.r.a.e.l. backed by a.r.m.y. of cyber-s.o.l.d.i.e.r.s."

"In the past week nearly 5,000 members of the World Union of J.e.w.i.s.h. .Students (WUJS) have downloaded special "megaphone" software that alerts them to a.n.t.i.-.I.s.r.a.e.l.i. chatrooms or internet polls to enable them to post contrary viewpoints. A student team in J.e.r.u.s.a.l.e.m. .combs the web in a host of different languages to f.l.a.g. the sites so that those who have signed up can influence an opinion survey or the course of a debate.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article693911.ece

From July 2008 - but very revealing nonetheless.

[IronMikeHouston]

I don't think Hamas is afraid of chat room talking. They are getting their butts kicked by real bombs, LOL!

[woodcut]

I wonder how Barak would respond if a group of people took over his land, evicted his family, then made them live like animals. Made them face armed guards to travel anywhere.
The Holocaust is not an excuse for Israel to be barbarians towards other humans.

[nomobull]

and why aren't you concerned about bush our current president opinion on GAZA.

[Fabienne]

There's no strength in slaughter either. Responding with violence is the way of the lowest level of consciousness.

[IronMikeHouston]

But it is effective. They got Hamas dressing like women, running like women and children and playing hide-n-seek.
Hamas must be a bunch of idiots. Why would they risk the wrath of Israel by popping off some fireworks? They are getting nothing out of this conflict except killing their own people. I can't see an advantage to that. Maybe they are thin their population out and if that is the case then why are the muslims upset at Israel for deaths.

[thewho77]

Israel closed the border Nov 4th and didn't all any food into Gaza, thus starving it's inhabitants of food, fuel, and medicine. They need to stop this bombing. Enough is enough. This could cause violence in every country in the Middle East. Nothing is for free in the Middle East.

[LeeCalif]

This is no wisdom in slaughter.

The Israelis have encircled the contained Palestinians.

It's like shooting fish in a barrel.

[scooperss]

There's always another choice, no one cares though.

[TiaL27]

Daniel Levy: Who does AIPAC represent?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTrpRKMjy8o