Israel's Best Interest is a Morally Strong America

I am supporting Obama for president for two reasons: one is my disdain for the McCain-Palin ticket, and the other my respect and admiration for Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Among Jewish voters, some feel the basic question is which candidate will act in the best interest of Israel. The answer is Barack Obama. As an American Jew who loves Israel, I cannot support John McCain. He cannot provide what Israel needs most--a respected, credible, morally strong America. To have the United States and Israel both regarded by the rest of the world as unreliable and in isolation is no way to solve the problems that plague both countries. This has been the effect of the Bush policies, and these are the policies that John McCain has promised to continue. Barack Obama is the candidate who can restore America's moral authority in the world and position our government to help negotiate peace.

The most vexing problem Israel faces is its relations with its neighbors. From the inception of the state until today, Israelis have felt besieged, surrounded by enemies who want to make them disappear. The constant security threat has made it very difficult for Israel to address the long list of problems that for the most part have been swept under the rug while awaiting peace. These include a disastrous educational system, a widening gap between rich and poor, and bitter division between secular and religious Jews. Israel desperately needs peace if it is to come anywhere close to being the "light unto nations" of Jewish dreams.

I quarrel with the oft-heard assumption that "George W. Bush is good for Israel." He gleaned many Jewish votes on that slogan, but I take a contrarian's position. Israel is further from peace than it was at the end of the Clinton administration. The smoldering hatred between Iraq's Sunni and Shi'a has burst into flames as a result of the American occupation. An emboldened Iran, with its Shi'a majority, has strengthened and armed Israel's enemies Hamas and Hezbollah. But Israel's most immediate danger comes from a nuclear Iran. Under the Bush administration, conversations with the Iranians began only at the end of May 2007 and have been badly mishandled. The result of the Bush doctrine in the Middle East has been an America and an Israel that are regarded with hatred and fear.

The region requires an honest broker that will push both sides towards a workable solution and a two state outcome. I remember the scene at the White House when President Clinton helped Prime Minister Rabin to shake Arafat's hand. Whether an American president is prepared to preside over another handshake--one that could build lasting peace--should not be measured by his professed love for one side or the other, but by his judgment.

John McCain's choice of Sarah Palin as running mate is the towering example of his poor judgment. Palin's ignorance of public affairs is monumental. Especially disturbing to the Jewish voter should be her willing acceptance of the campaign assignment of demagogy, which has stirred up racism and hate. The prospect of our having a 72-year-old president in poor health raises the real possibility that Palin could be our president, a thoroughly frightening thought. (I am well aware, in my eightieth year, of the flagging energy of any 72-year-old.) McCain's choice of Palin was a bid to the extremists in the Republican party, not the considered choice of a man who puts his country first.

Barack Obama is the leader who can begin to undo some of the damage done by Bush's policies. His background as an American who has lived among diverse cultures makes him sensitive to the cultural and religious motives that shape conflicts. He is cerebral, measured, calm, and pragmatic. By his character, he will engage these issues with more than stonewalling and weapons. He is brilliant in his choices of advisors. He is a tough idealist who has the courage to imagine an America that may inspire hope, not fear, in the Middle East and around the world.

Voters who care about Israel's welfare should ask which candidate will help sustain the ties between Israel and American Jews. Those of us who were alive at the creation of Israel have a love for Israel that is tied to the Holocaust, to the displaced persons camps and to the early struggles for a Jewish homeland. We were all as generous as we could be in support of Israel, as donors and as advocates. Now there is a generation growing up that is more distant from Israel than I should like. Young Jews do not automatically support Israel, and many are rightly troubled by what they learn about the ill treatment of the Palestinians under Israeli occupation. No longer motivated by fear of anti-Semitism, they seek to understand what Israel stands for, not to say "my Israel, right or wrong." Without strong support among the younger generation of American Jews, Israel may lose its vital relationship with the US government.

Obama can inspire much-needed support for Israel among this next generation of American Jews. He reflects their idealism and speaks in the language of hope they understand. His approach to international affairs shows a commitment to restoring America's reputation and to working with our allies to combat war, poverty, disease, and environmental destruction. He has articulated a vision for American society that does not ask us to ignore our differences--religious, racial, or economic--but to set aside divisive rhetoric and acknowledge that we all have a stake in building a more ethical society. Under his leadership a renewed America can help to foster a renewed Israel. Barack Obama is an inspiring American, willing and able to lead this nation and the world to new heights in very perilous times. I will vote for him with enthusiasm.

Edgar M. Bronfman is the former president of the World Jewish Congress. He is the author, with Beth Zasloff, of Hope, Not Fear: A Path to Jewish Renaissance (St. Martin's Press, 2008).

Comments

[Jerusalemite1]

Sitting here in in Jerusalem, I was fortunate enough to find this post, which radiates sobriety, passion and integrity. An Israeli patriot thanks you, Mr. Bronfman.

As an Israeli not participating in these elections, I have been riveted by the drama unfolding in the campaign, with admiration and even jealousy. I can only hope we Israelis will generate in our own upcoming national elections a fraction of the energies and hopes that the US campaign has released.

Bronfman is right on the money: the notion that the Bush administration has been good for Israel reflects a primitive tribalism utterly detached from complex realities. We have had eight years of serial hornets-ne­st-kickers in DC, leaving Israel more vulnerable and more distant from peace than when Bush took office.

I do not doubt Bush's (or McCain's) dedication to Israeli. But grossly misguided in their policies, they are no friends of Israel, 'cause friends don't let friends drive drunk. And that is exactly what this administration has been doing for eight years, by turning a blind eye to Israel's settlement expansion that threatens to destroy the two-state solution. And the death of the two state solution is the demise of Israel as a democratic Jewish state.

There is hope that this might change now. And pieces like Edgar Bronfman's post are essential to creating a new discourse. Critically engaging Israel on issues that are the shared vital national interests of both the US and Israelis the quintessential support of Israel.

[renatam]

An African-American can rise in the United States to become President, because America left her semi-Apartheid past behind for a brighter future. It is difficult living w/those who we perceive as different, but there is a strength and character-building that comes with overcoming human bias to achieve that goal. To the extent Americans were willing to take on this challenge -- we are better positioned to support and serve our friends in the world.

Time for Israel to mature and learn from our past in a productive way.

[TheSarge]

We must always support Israel. Weapons and technology, medicine and money and whatever else they might need. I havent forgotten the USS Liberty but they have proven to be our ally and as far as Palestine goes the middle east could do alot more for them then what has been done. I really dont care what happens to them. God chose Israel and thats enough for me.

[antiprop1]

Sarge
Why dont you care what happens to them. They are human beings just like everybody else who deserve kindness and respect. Its this hateful attitude that drives this conflict on both sides. America cannot afford to fund this conflict forever, the clock is ticking.

[TheSarge]

Sure they are.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

"I havent forgotten the USS Liberty but they have proven to be our ally "

This country has proven, time and time again, that it is Israel's ally. It will continue to do so, whether under Obama, McCain, or whoever.

How has Israel ever proven, even once, that it is our ally?

[11907281]

Nice to hear that you KNOW god's thoughts, blasphemous. And your views on the Palestinians is about as far from Christ as you can get, it's almost satanic. If you actually read the bible. which I doubt from your comments, you will know that we should be weary of false prophets like yourself. If you bother to think WWJD, I'm confident you would find love and not division.

[TheSarge]

Satanic..l­ol. What a twit

[harveyr2]

If Senator Obama is such a strong, moral leader then why isn't his lead in the polls substantial?

Senator Obama has spent more money on campaign ads than any candidate in the history of the USA and he still can not close the deal.

The answer is simple: less than a majority of Americans want the most liberal Senator to be the President of the United States of America. Not to mention the fact that he has spent more time campaigning for the Presidency than he has spent in the US Senate building.

[BonoVox]

Now for the facts. His lead IS substantial, especially when compared to Democratic presidential candidates in their first election. Clinton, thanks to Ross Perot, won with about 38%. Kennedy won in a squeaker. You have to go back to FDR for a first-time election margin of this size. Might BO still lose? Perhaps, but I doubt it. And if he wins it will be by a far bigger margin than W had in either of his elections, even in '04 when your guy brayed about the political capital he was going to spend on privatizing Social Security.

[libsRchildren]

BV, news for you. Living in the most liberal state, MA, I've spoken to MANY people that have always voted DEM but are worried about Obama's associations, or the elitist cliche type following he's garnered, and they're all voting McCain!
History repeatedly has shown an 8% dem lead in polls results in an 8% loss in the election.
I see it like this; McCain wins by3%.
Happy Halloween!

[deisenb]

American jews can vote for american interests and at the same time consider the views of the respective candidates regarding Israel and judaism. This is no different than an American Catholic considering the relationship between the candidates and the Catholic Church/the Vatican. Or cuban americans and our relationship with Cuba. Or mexican americans and our relationship with Mexico and issues of immigration. This is a diverse country with people from all different backgrounds and all different religions. Just because we are American doesn't mean we should ignore the influence our country has on the rest of the world.

[Synoia]

"Israel's Best Interest is a Morally Strong America"

And I wonder how you could explain this to the Palestinians? You believe its moral to evict people from their land, dispossess them, and leave them in refugee camps for 60 years?

Poeple of Jewish faith have the "right to return" to Isreal. Why not those of non-Jewish faith who fled or were evicted? Jerusalem as an international city?

The world's best Interest is a morally strong Israel.

[salh]

Mr. Bronfman is wrong in his thinking. McCain will protect the interests of Israel whereas I doubt a man who is friendly and goes to dinner with a PLO advocate is doubtful. The Jewish people do not have a friend in Barack Obama despite a rabbi in his background. Look closely at Obama 's background and experiences and listen to what he says, then make up your mind as to whom you should vote for.

[ab73]

oh dear,

The nub of Israels problems can be seen in this piece and salh's reply. 8 paragraphs in before we finally get to "Palestinians under Israeli occupation", thrown out like it a natural and defensible reality.

Until Israel sorts this out their security will always be uncertain.

[Doomestic]

McCain paid $500 000 to a foundation co-founded by the same "PLO advocate" aka a highly respected Palestinian Columbia University professor. If you think that you cannot allow yourself to meet people that hold contrary points of view on foreign policy, how on earth do you think you will ever solve any problems in the middle east and elsewhere?

[doug159]

John Mc Cain gave the same ma a half a million dollars????

[Marilyn5401]

I have looked closely at his background and experiences and listed to what he says, and I am more convinced THAN EVER that we need Barack Obama as our next president.

God Bless America and God Bless Barack Obama

[db572]

In the 1890s the Jews were gradually colonized with the Palestinians by the British. They lived side by side in harmony for many years prior and after World War II. Then in 1967 the Six-Day war came and the Palestinians where given a chance to fight alongside their Jewish neighbors to fight off other Arab nations led by Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. But the Palestinians choose to flee, in anticipation that Israel would not be able to survive the attack. After Israel was successful in defending these brutal nations, Palestinians were not welcomed back after turning their back on those that showed them how to make the land live on a better place to live. Can't say I blame the Jews for not allowing the traitors back in.

[cjgnew]

History is always written by the winners, and they always put their own spin on the issues. Even if what you write here were true, the Palestinians still deserve a place of their own. Why should civilians who had nothing to do with the war be deprived of their home because they tried to avoid being caught between the two sides?

Carlos Jean-Gilles
Saint Louis, MO

[cjgnew]

A morally strong America is more likely to be accepted as an honest broker while being able to see that both Israelies and Palestinians have legitimate claims against each other. At the same time, a morally strong America is more likely to recognize that as America itself has cheated and destroyed the native Indians' cultures, the Palestinians will always remain somewhat skeptical about America's credential to act as an honest broker. Perhaps a broker that has no emperialistic past might actually be more suitable or helpful in resolving the issues. The problem is such an unbiased broker may not exist. Yet, for the good of our planet, it would be nice if both Palestinians and Israelies could find a way to live in peace. The Palestinia­ns/Israeli­es' situation, however, is in desperate need of marriage counseling. And like a marriage, if the partners cannot live together, then obviously separate households must be implemented. As for me, I am impartial. Both the Israelies and Palestinians are my brothers. I love them both. I wish them both peace. Palestinians must recognize Israelies' rights to live peacefully in Israel; and, on the other hand, Israelies must recognize that the Palestinians are also human beings and deserve a decent place as well to live on our planet.

Carlos Jean-Gilles
Saint Louis, MO

[lejman]

there are american jews, more frequently but not always orthodox/t­raditional­, who are one issue voters...w­hich candidate fits their definition of who is the best friend to israel. that vision may include a masada/post holocaust never again viewpoint.

some comments here seem to assert that these individuals are more israeli than american, and should renounce their us citizenship and go vote in israel instead. not a very enlightened viewpoint in the so-called liberal blogosphere.

personally, while i find one issue voting myopic, if a citizen wants to use his/her privilege in that fashion, against gays, abortion, pro guns, etc., that is that person's right. i am encouraged that mr. bronfman, one of the more visible and wealthy of the persuasion, does not take the knee jerk approach to this complicated issue.

barack obama can be a friend to israel without incessant sabre rattling.

[Mnemanth]

Enough about Israel. This is the United States of America, and I'm tired of the idea that we're somehow beholden to any country. Everytime we do anything, there's always- "What about Israel?"
Until America starts taking care of America, the rest of the world needs to start fending for themselves. Sorry, but it's just tough all over.

[VoterFraudNeverAgain]

Kudos to Mr. Bronfman for this honest and courageous piece.
But, folks, these elections will not be determined by the Jewish vote (as a Jew i'm proud that 75% will be voting Democrat); rather, by how much deceit, fraud, harassment and downright purging of voters the Repubs (especially where there is a Repub Sec. of State) can get away with. As the ACLU has warned:
"Unfortunately, there are enough shenanigans going on to raise serious concerns"

Repubs are planning to mount the greatest disenfranchisement and voter intimidation crusade in history, not to mention their plan of downright rigging election results in key battleground states.

What can you do?

Alert your friends, relatives and neighbors to their voting rights and send them the following useful link which summarizes the voter rights and protections (and answers FAQs) in ALL 50 STATES:
http://www.aclu.org/votingrights/gen/36695res20080909.html

Vote early on election day. Report irregularities. Report suspicious activity. Join a monitoring team to help in voting stations. Make one more call to all people you know to ensure they are going to vote.

[Mixpixlix]

There's an old joke among old Jews regarding how different things would be IF Moses had turned right instead of left!!!

Right would have meant oil rich land and not the barren ( not any longer) soil of Israel. What's also missing from most modern discussions of Israel is the fact that oil-less Israel is strategicly positioned to allow access to any middle east or Asian country that could pose a threat to the U.S.

When Isreal was founded 60 years ago, the oil pouring from the middle east was produced in large part by American companies. These companies were concerned that the oil fields could be nationalized on the whim of a shiek.

Times are very different now.

Isreal like any country is complicated. While it is home to millions of Jews, it is not per se a religious country. Far less so any its Arab neighbors and it's citizens male and female have greater equal rights than are seen in many richer more developed countries.

In these turbulent times, Isreal provides safe fly over and re-fueling space for troops headed to the fighting. It's unfortunate that so many people have so little understanding of what's really at stake.

[HansB]

Yes, it is unfortunate, isn't it, that so many people have so little understanding of what's at stake.

Since when do troops headed to the fighting fly over and refuel in Israeli space?

Since when do its citizens Jew and Arab have equal rights?

[CriticalDune]

Mr. Bronfman, given your long record on the issues and support for the State of Israel, all you need have written was your last line. That is more than enough for young and old alike.

Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I hope we are smart enough to take it.

[sarana]

According to Debka File, the US just closed its Damascus embassy. This does not bode well for Israel.

http://medusa2.wordpress.com/2008/10/31/clear-and-present-danger-from-flinneo/

[RedWhiteandBlueState]

Thank you Mr. Bronfman for an excellent, passionate, important post.

[obamavoter08]

obama is a very strong supporter of israel,and he will be as president!!!!

has anyone seen the 6% of undecided voter,all i wanna know is who the hell could be undecided in this election!!!

[xmontreal]

The ones thyat arn't going to vote

[charlietuna11]

dear edgar, your article is honest, sincere, and heart felt. your audience should be directed exclusively to the religious hard right who will not permit any semblense of a peace process. each new israeli leader starts off with lofty goals and the sacrifices their willing to make to acchieve a lasting peace. its than all down hill as the various parties can't agree on any thing. than bibi and the far right threaten to come to america and alert our govt. leaders that a peace process favoured by current israeli leaders will destroy the country beyound recognition. aipac then floods congress with ultimatums. you know how the story ends. back to square one. again, your intentions are good but its going to take hundreds of people like yourself who have enlightened views that are anathema to the majority of aipac members

[petecook5]

"Among Jewish voters, some feel the basic question is which candidate will act in the best interest of Israel."

That seems to me to be just a WEE BIT of a problem. If these Jews are "American," shouldn't they be supporting the candidate which will act in the best interest of AMERICA?

To do otherwise would be UN-AMERICAN in my humble opinion.

If you are Jewish, and voting in an American election for the interests of Israel, my suggestion to you would be to renounce your American citizenship, move to Israel and vote in Israeli elections for the best interest of Israel.

[libsRchildren]

Very well said, I couldn't agree more.

[brutus948]

Nicely said. My setiments exactly...

[Konstantine]

Your last paragraph sums it up very well.