American Jewish Responses to Gaza: Old & New

It has long been of concern that the vigorous public debate that rages in Israel is not replicated either among American Jewish organizations or policy makers in Washington. I've noted before how, in the early part of the 2000 Presidential election, then-Vice Presidential candidate Joe Lieberman observed that "it is easier to debate an issue like the status Jerusalem in the Israeli Knesset than it is in the U.S. Senate."

While the voices of the establishment American Jewish organizations have often dominated policy discussions on Middle East issues, below the surface, polls have shown that majorities of American Jews were decidedly pro-peace and uncomfortable with hard-line Israeli practices. But this tendency had no outlet, and so policy makers were left with the impression that to be pro-Israel meant to support the most hawkish Israeli position.

But no more.

In the past several years, the emergence of pro-peace American Jewish organizations has provided an alternative voice on critical Middle East issues. This has become quite clear when assessing how Jewish organizations, both old and new, are responding to the crisis that erupted in Gaza.

The older hard-line groups have adopted predictably hawkish positions. They, as always, have not only supported whatever Israel has done but, like a criminal defense attorney defending a guilty client, they defiantly denied the undeniable. In their view, Israel's response is a "fundamental right," morally and legally justified. Israel "takes great care" to avoid civilian casualties and is therefore, by necessity, not responsible for Palestinian civilian deaths. And since the only problem is the enemy Israel is seeking to destroy, the solution is that the enemy either be eliminated or transformed.

With this defiant "take no prisoners" approach, they have left Presidents and Members of Congress with little choice - either demonstrate like-minded uncritical support for Israel, despite what you are seeing on the ground, or face our wrath.

But now comes a new set of Jewish voices, arguing that, of course, Hamas is wrong, but that this show of overwhelming force by Israel will only escalate the cycle of violence. Expressing concern for Israel's security and remorse for Palestinian suffering, these groups all understand that the violence is unproductive and a result of the absence of real peace. They, therefore, all insist on a serious push toward a just peace as the way forward.

It is not a question of whose voice is the loudest, but that at last there is a debate reflecting the diversity of views within the American Jewish community. This, by itself, may help open up the policy debate.

To illustrate how stark the divide is, below are some excerpts from statements on the situation in Gaza, first from the "establishment" hard-line groups, then followed by the newer pro-peace organizations:

Establishment

American Jewish Committee
"Hamas has only itself to blame for the current events. It's leaders, choosing to pursue terror against Israel rather than the welfare of the Palestinian people.... No nation...could withhold response indefinitely to an unrelenting siege of its civilian population. ...We can only hope that one day soon Gazans will wake up and realize that, as long as a terrorist group remains in power, they have chosen a dead-end strategy."

American Israel Public Affairs Committee
"AIPAC urges Congress and the Administration to stand firmly with Israel as it strives to defend itself against a renewed assault by Hamas terrorists."

Zionist Organization of America
"Palestinian civilian casualties are the clear result of Hamas' deliberate policy of placing its personnel...in civilian areas. ...We urge others who are concerned about civilian loss of life to condemn Hamas for this war crime as well, without which any expression of concern for civilians can have no meaning."

Anti-Defamation League
"Israel's attack on Hamas represents the most fundamental right and responsibility of any government to protect its people. ...No government could act differently in the face of such challenges. ...At the same time, despite the placement of Hamas of its terrorist infrastructure in the heart of its own civilian population, another violation of international law, Israel took great care to avoid civilian casualties."

New Voices

J-Street
"While this morning's air strikes by Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza can be understood and even justified in the wake of recent rocket attacks, we believe that real friends of Israel recognize that escalating the conflict will prove counterproductive, igniting further anger in the region and damaging long-term prospects for peace and stability. Respecting Israel's right to defend itself, we urge leaders there to recognize that there is no military solution to what is fundamentally a political conflict between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples. Today's IDF strikes will deepen the cycle of violence in the region."

Americans for Peace Now
"APN mourns the loss of life and the suffering on both sides...[calls] on the government of Israel to ends its military operation in the Gaza Strip...strongly denounces the firing of rockets and mortar rounds from Gaza into Israel... [and] expresses deep concern over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza."

Brit Tzedek v'Shalom
"Though some Israeli action is an understandable response to continued rocket fire from Hamas, and the idea of contained surgical strikes may be compelling, these airstrikes represent a huge escalation of the conflict - a crisis that may end in a wider war in which many more Palestinians will and Israelis will die in the weeks to come. The now familiar sequence of escalating mutual hostility, invasion, and withdrawal without security arrangements has never worked.... Israel's only hope for survival as a secure and democratic Jewish homeland lies in a diplomatic - rather than military - solution, and in a negotiated peace with the Palestinians."

Israel Policy Forum
"The human cost of this escalation is intolerable and the missile attacks on Israel must end. ...IPF therefore calls on the United States to push for an international effort to bring about an immediate Hamas-Israel truce, negotiated by intermediaries."

Comments

[hindy]

12:07 PM on 01/02/2009

I am grateful to you James for being so balanced. This is not a case of which side is right and which is wrong. As a liberal Jew I understand that the problem is that both sides are right. Only when that is acknowledged by both Palestinians and Israelis will there be a lasting and just peace.

What I don't understand, is why Gazans aren't also directing their rage against Egypt who ruled them till 1967. Till then they kept the Palestinians locked up in Gaza and did nothing to integrate them into Egyptian society. When Israel handed Sinai back to Egypt after the 6 day war, they asked Egypt to take Gaza as well - but Egypt refused. I believe that Israel's biggest mistake was not insisting that the return of the Sinai would be contingent on the return of Gaza as well. Why didn't Egypt want it?

Even when Israel closed off Gaza as a result of rocket fire, and even during this unfortunate war, Egypt is keeping their borders closed.

I would also like to see Arab nations that used Palestinians as political pawns - to also examine their souls . Why did they keep Palestinians refugee camps for over 60 years? Why instead of absorbing them into Arab societies were they kept as pawns to unify Arabs against Jews?

If any peace plan with a two state solution has hope of working, there'll need to be soul searching on all sides of this conflict .

[ProudNeoCon]

11:23 AM on 01/02/2009

I am still looking for pro-peace Arab organizations in Us ...

[Steamboater]

11:05 AM on 01/02/2009

When you're terrorists who hide among civilians and those civilians get killed, the blame is not on those trying to defend themselves from terrorist acts, but Hamas themselves. It's always interesting to see the likes of Zogby etc who complain about deaths after the fact, after the fact of Israeli deaths from Hamas terrorism. Hamas is no friend of democracy and certainly no friend of the U.S. The sooner they're all gone, the better off this world will be. There's a great difference between indiscriminate rocket fire at civilian targets, which Hamas does, and targeting of Hamas training camps, homes and that graduating class of Hamas police where the Israelies killed 90 of them in one shot and civilians getting killed in the process. Intent matters but it doesn't matter to Zogby or those like him or continually make exceuses for the 'poor' Hamas.

These arabs are delight in portraying themselves as victims. Other than their hatred of Jews, it's all they have.

[Vixter]

10:26 AM on 01/02/2009

Thank you, Mr. Zogby for letting the brain washed (dead?) of America know that there is a voice of reason in Israel with their youth. For some strange reason, I would have thought that a large minority of the older Jewish population would be on the side of peace talks. If not talks, at least a 48 hour cease fire (like the U.N. is calling for), to bring in medical & humanitarian aid.

I would think that after living through the Holocaust (or having family members that lived & died during that horrible time), the Jewish elders would find the 'kill first, ask questions later' policy too repugnant for thought. But it is the grandchildren of the Holocaust generation that are saying "ENOUGH" - just as here in America the grandchildren (& children) of the civil rights generation voiced the same opinion on Nov. 4th, by voting Obama into office.

I do wonder if the Gaza massacre happened at this time because Israel just isn't sure if our new P-E is going to continue to be a sheeple & condone the practice of 'whatever Israel wants, Israel gets.' And if you don't think that it's a massacre, look at the numbers of dead innocents. Shameful way to increase property.

[tavote08]

03:46 AM on 01/02/2009

My question is regardless of who may or may not be right will wiping each other out fix the problem?How many future doctors, lawyers, scientist, teachers, students, mothers, and fathers have to die to prove what appears to be a pointless point? Millions dead, Thousands in fear, massive destruction, and no end in sight FOR WHAT I ASK?????

For years it has been the same thing killing, killing, killing well how the hell is that working out!!!! Just keep on doing the same thing and expect a different result, yeah right.....

[Steamboater]

11:13 AM on 01/02/2009

Look at the Sunnis and and Shiites of Iraq. These problems among arabs themselves will never end. They can't even live peacefully among themselves and that too has been going on for decades. When the likes of Hamas and the other terrorist groups recognize Israel's right to even exist, then and only then will there be a chance for peace but they insist on Israel's total destruction. Even then, after some furure decision to accept Israel as a state, you won't be able to trust them; they never keep their word. While accepting a cease fire, they smuggled weapons and rockets through tunnels and fired on Israelies. Smash them and smash them good now. Hamas is no good to the world and no good to any Palestinian peaceful objectives.

There was a young Palestinian boy who was asked who was to blame for the deaths in Gaza and he said, "Hamas" because Hamas was responsible for breaking the ceasefire and he was right. He's the type of Palestinian who hopefully will lead Palestinians into the future in peace.

[lynjs]

02:32 AM on 01/02/2009

It is about time new voices are being heard. There are two sides to each story, sometimes three. And both sides need to stop the escalation of violence that is the tipping point of so much violence and miscarriage of justice in the ME.

[KP120BPM]

12:18 AM on 01/02/2009

I am very glad that there are Jewish organizations taking a more broad, even handed approach to the policy debate. Unfortunately, I don't think the 'hawkish American-Jewish hardliners' are the problem in implementing a more rational approach to the discussion. From my personal experiences most Jews tend to be open to discussion, and quite frankly, it's the evangelical Christians in America that have immovable views on Israel. For example, I was accused by an evangelical of being a holocaust denier because I favor a two state solution. There was no discussion that lead from one to the other, but rather 'I support a two state solution in Israel'
'Don't you believe the holocaust happened?'

I hope the moderate outgrowth in the Jewish community can get their ideas across to Evangelicals, because they are deciding public policy in most areas of foreign policy, and have been for some time.

[Forest]

02:16 AM on 01/02/2009

Many US citizens didn't approve Bush's shock 'nd awe campaign under the guise of self defense. it's not surprising that opinions vary in Israel and the US about the current bombing campaign in Gaza.

[cherry33]

08:38 PM on 01/01/2009

I've always had the impression that the Jewish American community encourages critical thinking skills, not the "take no prisoners approach" which is so unreasonable. Thank you for this article.

[TJCole]

07:56 PM on 01/01/2009

James; why not do another post listing all the hawkish Arab and Muslim groups, and the Islamic Arab Peace groups here in America..?

[simcha]

10:55 PM on 01/01/2009

Yes,I agree with you TJCole. I would also be interested in knowing what these various groups' positions are on such issues as the Sunni-Shiite-Kurdish conflicts to give but one example.
What would an Islamic American Peace group have to say about that?
There are so many different countries that experience their horrendous hatred and killing of each other.

[hulka37]

12:26 AM on 01/02/2009

The influence of the American Islamic political groups is but a fraction of the American Jewish groups. It's an interesting exercise to see what other groups are saying but it's really a question of who is moving policy and what are the trends.

[wiseapple]

11:35 AM on 01/02/2009

Maybe we will find out when the US formally recognizes the State of Sunni, the State of Shia and the State of Kurd over there in Iraq. Turkey, Iran, oh hell, the whole gang will be thrilled with what we do over there!

[ProudLiberalDan]

07:23 PM on 01/01/2009

We need to take religion out of this equation. I could care less if it is Jews or Moslems or Christians getting hurt or doing the attacking. Let's treat this situation as if it were simply human beings involved which it is.

And in this country we certainly need to get away from the mad dreams of the neocons and the scary beliefs of many in the religious right who secretly look at every middle east conflict as a chance for the Book of Revelations to come true and for Jesus Christ to come back. All of this skews the way America perceives this conflict, as one of religions, not human beings.

The Palestinians are rapidly increasing in population with Israel itself. If a two-state solution is not viable anymore, which it may not be, then the only other peaceful solution for this part of the world is a secular state, neither Jewish nor Islam, that respects and treats all religions equally.

But that would mean no one religion would get to declare "victory" over another. But it would be an actual move towards peace and respect of all human beings, which is what Christians, Jews and Moslems all say they want.

This is why liberals throughout history have supported separation between religion and state. It works here and might be the only viable solution for the middle east: one secular country named the Republic of Israel & Palestine, neither Jewish, Moslem or Christian, but respecting of all religions.

[Zoe2]

07:31 PM on 01/01/2009

I never thought of it that way. Thanks for another perspective! You sound like a true humanist.

[SaulBloodworth]

08:14 PM on 01/01/2009

That is the only thing that makes sense. By now, it's virtually impossible to untangle the settlements and the Palestinian villages. Besides, that would be a beacon for Democracy in the Middle East. Of course, the U.S. would need to pour in some resources to guarantee stability for the first years but that would be needed anyway.

[Skepticat]

09:25 PM on 01/01/2009

A non religious secular state where everyone is treated decently would be ideal - but that alas depends on good will that is sadly missing.

[Steamboater]

11:17 AM on 01/02/2009

Get real. You're dealing with an area of the world where religion is rooted in it so deeply that it's impossible for secualr states to take hold, although in Israel so many of it's population are non-religious even though it's considered a Jewish state.

[windypaperboy]

06:53 PM on 01/01/2009

I have yet to see one organization that would settle for the 1948 borders of Palestine. US weapons will make it impossible within the next 50 years. No right of return for the Palestinians to their 1948 homes, means no meaningful peace. A so called two state solution means much less than half state solution for Palestine. That is no peace whatsoever.

[SaulBloodworth]

08:15 PM on 01/01/2009

More importantly, it's not in the interest of the West, i.e. America to have an independent state called Gaza. That would be an unviable, unstable tiny nation that would be only trouble.

[admarx]

10:45 PM on 01/01/2009

What about the right of return for the Jewish refugees from Arab countries? They number over 1 million. You never hear about them because Israel welcomed them in, whereas the Arab countries have sealed Palestinians in refugee camps, denying even children born in their countries citizenship and the right to work. A just solution to the issue of refugees does not include returning to their homes, not for Jewish refugees or Palestinians. It does include monetary compensation of some sort, but Jewish refugees deserve it as well. Also, this fallacious definition of "Palestinian refugee" by the UN MUST be changed. Every other people in the world, including Jews living in the land during the mandate, have to have lived there for 10 years and their children do not get refugee status. The Palestinians, on the other hand, only have to have been there for 2 years and refugee status applies to all descendants. Check out the documentary "The Forgotten Refugees" to learn more about Jewish refugees from Arab lands.

[BubbaC33]

10:52 AM on 01/02/2009

The idea that a million or more Arabs want to return to their land in Israel is absolutely and totally wrong. The actual number is nowhere close to the figure in this posting.
It is interesting that no one in the media ever takes the Arabs nations to task for their failure to allow refugees to assimilate, forcing those Arabs who left Israel to stay in the camps. And no one criticizes the Arab nations who use and abuse these refugees as indentured servants.
Add to that is the fallacy that all of the Arabs who left were forced to leave, that is not true. It is also a myth that every Arab who left owned land in eretz Israel. On top of everything is the way the media and bloggers here have forgotten that a two-state colution has been in existence since 1922 when over 70% of the proposed Jewish Homeland was taken to create a home for Arabs unwilling to live among Jews. Transjordan, now known as Jordan, is the Arab homeland.

[sandra dee]

06:44 PM on 01/01/2009

Thank you James Zogby,
you have been a voice of reason for many years. If only Americans were given a weekly lesson on the true situation and history of this long and sad story that is Israel and Palestine. A demoralized people and occupied territory (Palestineans) will only result to desperate measures. Israel should look in the mirror and ask themselves after the way Hitler treated Jews, did Jews disappear and give up the fight? Absolutely not and yet sadly Israel repeatedly uses major military force on a desperate group of people. Offering them a living situation that has been described as hell on earth (Gaza). And expecting them the accept the open air prison that is the West Bank as a "two-state" solution. This cannot go on forever but it will only get worse. The clock is ticking...

Americans demand that Obama and his administration be a true moral voice and tell Israel to stop with the bullying. Israel will never win a true peace and never be respected by anyone worth having a relationship with as long as they use military force.

p.s. Thank you Mr. Brzezinski for adding a jolt to Joe Scarborough's morning coffee! That Joe would compare your knowledge to his reading the NY Times or Wash Post was comical! I wish Mika could give Joe the boot and have her father on the show so America can learn the complexities of the Israel/Palestinian issue.

[Steamboater]

11:22 AM on 01/02/2009

sabdra_dee wrote: "Americans demand that Obama and his administration be a true moral voice and tell Israel to stop with the bullying. Israel will never win a true peace and never be respected by anyone worth having a relationship with as long as they use military force."

Easy to say from the comfort of your own home here in the states. In short, Israelies are not defend themselves but just sit back and wait for Hamas rockets to knock them off one by one and almost daily at that. Terrorists like Hamas only laugh at such naivity, that is while they're loading their rockets and firing them off at Israel.

[hindy]

11:45 AM on 01/02/2009

If you're going to compare the Jewish reaction to the Holocaust to the Palestinian reaction to the creation of Israel, lets do a comparison. I was born in a refugee camp for Jewish survivors in Europe. My parents didn't demand a return to our homes in Poland or the rest of Europe. Jews also didn't seek revenge on Germans. We didn't blow up their buses and send our children in as suicide bombers. Instead we resettled all over the world. Survivors packed their nightmares which they relived every night of their remaining lives and got on with building new families and beginning again.

By the way, I also don't think that this Israeli strategy works and its time for all moderate Jews and Palestinians to come to a two state solution as soon as possible. However, groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah have absolutely no interest in a 2 state solution. They want to eliminate the Jews and the State of Israel - and believe that for their children to die as martyrs is a privilege that will give them automatic entry into Paradise and be blessed by Allah. Read the hamas charter. Its pretty barbaric, www.mideastweb.org/hamas.htm

[indyleftist]

06:24 PM on 01/01/2009

American jews have always been more critical of Israel and more anti-war than the rest of the population
When the politicians are giving trhe anti-Palestinian rhetoric it is much more for the consumption of the christian right then the American jewish vote
Historically the most left wing of our political groups have been the jews, Look back in history to the The Deal and see which voices are calling for more socialism. Look back at Vietnam and who the most prominent critics were. People like Noam Chomsky and Howard Zinn have been the leading voices of the peace movements then. and people like Amy Goodman are the main leaders now.

[Pema]

04:40 PM on 12/31/2008

I fear that the older groups will win out and nothing but more violence will reign down on both sides. Its hard to only blame Hamas when Israel has cut off food and medical aid. Is it only war when a rocket is fired or when people try to kill you quietly behind the scenes?
Regardless the US questions nothing and stands by Israel whatever it does, I truely hope that PE Obama takes a more humane stand when it comes to the rights of Palestians to be able to feed their children, to have electricty and basic human rights. We are a very ignorant nation as to the truth of what is happening there, I find this evidenced by israel cutting off communications from there.
I can only watch and cry for innocents on both sides.

[ESerafina42]

05:09 PM on 12/31/2008

I'm part of the newer group that Mr. Zogby refers to, but I do have one question. Why isn't Hamas bringing in food and medical supplies instead of guns and rockets?

[Pema]

07:08 PM on 12/31/2008

They can't feed the masses in Gaza, but perhbaps they are. I am glad you ar epart of that group, we need sane voices. Please I beg of you to continue working for peace, please call the Whitehouse and your congress people and senators.
I am half Syrian, they dont care what I say, but they will isten to you.

[SaulBloodworth]

08:17 PM on 01/01/2009

Because they are fighting a guerilla war against occupiers. You can't do that by throwing marshmallows.