J Street Threatens AIPAC Because Of 'Generational Anxiety:' Ezra Klein

The American Prospect:

James Besser asks why the major Jewish groups have responded to J Street with so much more fury and fear than, say, the formation of Americans for Peace Now, or the Israeli Policy Forum. One Jewish leader, speaking off the record, confides to Besser that he feels "Israel is particularly vulnerable and isolated at this time and therefore needs a unified American Jewish community as a critical element in its security."

Read the whole story: The American Prospect

Comments

[Fein]

Meaneannless metaphors are all that's left when apologists can't substantiate their propaganda agenda.

Without any evidence of 'Antisemitism' propagandists are desperately trying to equate the term with ANY
complaints about Israel, no matter how egregious the crime.

The best example of rightwing fanatic terminology IMO is when they call Jewish critics of Israeli policy 'Self hating Jews'. How these people maintain any pretense of credibility is beyond me.

[lefty53]

barrycourage (and other posters)....

Could you elaborate on your experience of anti-Semitism in the US? In my 50+ years I've never observed any anti-Semitic behavior. Either I'm a clueless Christian male (not unlikely) or the discrimination you face is fairly subtle. In any event I'd like to understand how anti-Semitism is manifested to American Jews.

[barrycourage]

Mr. Klein's picture suggests he is in his mid 20s. I am 48 and surprised to be lumped with my 90ish parents in terms of views on Israel.

Mr. Klein earnestly says he is writing from his own experience. Apparentlyh his experience and the generation of American Jews--or circle of friends?--of whom he speaks is privileged and perhaps has been sheltered from anti-Semitism.

Unfortunately I am not nor I have not. I am quite aware of the millions of Americans who want to tear down the Constitution's wall of church-state separation and make Christianity the official religion of the U.S. Millions more think the U.S. is a Christian country even if their attitude is not codified in law.

Note Mike Huckabee won the GOP primary in five states. Note Bush won o a second term by tapping into the bigotry--h­omophobia-­-of the religious right.

My experience is that anti-Semitism is pervasive. It finds expression often in the words and acts of common people in their everyday lives. It takes the form of illegal discrimination that is not pursued in the courts because of fear of reprisal and unaffordable cost. The media doesn't cover it.

Presumably, Mr. Klein's friends are young, educated and liberal. They might have not experienced anti-Semitism as much as us older folk. Yet.

Mr. Klein--and his "generation of Jews"-- should give AIPAC credit for the life experience of its members and contributors.

[lynnn]

Knowing many young and liberal Jewish Americans I can tell you they have experienced anti-semitism. I've seen it (I was shocked) and that is one reason many (again not all because no group has one singular thought) feel Israel's current path HURTS Jews, not helps. The state of Israel made a commitment to protect all Jewish people, I would give them a big D-. Plus I know tons of Jewish Americans who were born in Israel and moved to the U.S. A lot of the people who moved did so bc of discrimination, big elephant in the room Jews of European descents are preferred for many jobs over there. I mean I can't tell that much diff.

[Macready]

Thank you for posting Lynn . . . British Jews and Israeli Jews protested against Operation Cast Lead in London . . . they marched carrying banners against israel . . . not all Jews are zionist . . not all Jews approve of israel's actions . . . the establishment of israel caused problems for Jews all over the Middle East . . they had lived in peace with their Muslim neigbhours for hundreds of years all that ended with the arrival of the European Zionists .. . the zionists have created their own elitist israel at the expense of not only the Muslims but also for Jews and Christians . . . there is a new anti-Zionist -- anti-israeli movement developing and I hope it continues to grow .. .israel has to be stopped . . . please do not confuse that with anti-Semitism . . .

[Fein]

Just like when 'a vampire' shrinks from the light of day which shrivels it's undead body,
AIPAC's lies, misinformation and it's campaigns to deride it's detractors don't survive exposure to
illumination.

[hamashaha]

Then why are they so feared and hated by you and so many other posters here??? Do you also fear and hate the lies and misinformation of Al-Jazeera and the Arab League and of Hamas and Fatah/PLO???

[arvay]

Neither of these groups controls our Congress, so they're just another influence in the world. But AIPAC's stranglehold on our foreign policy needs to be removed. Many in our government already hate AIPAC -- first comes fear of financial and political pummeling, then comes hatred and the muttered "loyalty oaths."

AIPAC's enemies are standing all around them, applauding like one of Stalin's audiences, but boiling and humiliated inside. (I'm not, I can say what I want.)

AIPAC's most crucial "target audience" is the American Jewish community. Lose that and their case and base of support are severely undercut.

Well, they've lost it.

American Jews are not pleased with the new right-wing government and are especially displeased with the "other" Lieberman, the new racist foreign minister. They are horrified at the slaughter in Gaza, and no one can believe that they support the civilian killings reported in the Israeli press or the incredible "kill" T-Shirts being snapped up by IDF soldiers.

The bottom line is that, despite AIPAC's efforts, American Jews are much like other Americans, probably better informed on the Middle East than many and not buying the ethnocentric fanaticism that AIPAC tries to sell.