I'm feeling a bit gleeful and sad right now. I'm happy because my theory about the disconnect between mainstream Jewish groups political positions and the opinions of the majority of American Jews, has been proven correct. At the same time, I'm a bit glum because of what is happening right now in Israel. While the rest of the world is focused on the uber-cool Obamas first foray into the world scene, beyond the shores of the Union Jack, there's some serious stuff happening, including the return of Israel's Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. Under his previous term, Netanyahu's extreme right-wing domestic and international policies left Israel starving for alternatives. Literally. Under his watch, poverty sky rocketed in the country and the peace process was a failure.
Netanyahu has been in office for one day but is already quickly putting in place an Administration with an unequivocal right wing stamp. His Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman (same name as another right-wing hawkish US politician), is an extreme hawk and nationalist whose off-the-cuff comments are already making waves. According to the New York Times, Lieberman brazenly declared that "'those who wish for peace should prepare for war' and that Israel was not obligated by understandings on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reached at an American-sponsored peace conference in late 2007." As I wrote in a hotly debated blog last month, "ABC and the ADL Don't Represent Me," US politicians, media and mainstream Jewish groups lock-in-step support for Israeli policies are out of touch with the majority of US Jews positions on Israel.
While there been little traction on the peace front in Israel in the past several years, this will make the situation more dire. There needs to be resounding condemnation of Lieberman's views from the US government, international peace brokers and major Jewish groups that his beliefs will create more instability and insecurity for Israel (Lieberman also said "if you want peace, prepare for war.") However, the Anti-Defamation League, the so-called civil rights group led by Abraham Foxman, decided that rather than condemning Lieberman, it would be better to support his extremist position. In fact, the organization issued a press release defending the political hawk's commitment to peace.
Shocking? Not really. Wrong? Yes.
The ADL is out of touch with the majority of American Jews. Tell the ADL to reverse it's unequivocal support for Lieberman. And, stay informed with J Street, a progressive voice for Israel.
Sarah's Social Action Snapshot originally appeared on Takepart.com
I am writing because I am concerned about the ADL's support of Avidgor Lieberman and it's apparent misinformation about his recent comments.
If the ADL is opposed to bigotry and extremism how can support the rhetoric of Lieberman who has shown himself to be a bigot and an extremist?
The world community has rejected the rhetoric of men like Georj Haider in Austria and Jean-Marie Le Pen in France, so I do not understand why the ADL is not outraged about the rise of Lieberman who is an ultra-nationalist and makes dangerous comments frequently.
Furthermore in his comments recently about the Annapolis conference and Israel's position regarding a two state solution I find it hard to believe that anyone can analyze his speech as one that calls for peace.
While I understand Israel's security concerns and its' need for support from groups like the ADL, I ask that you please reconsider the position you take toward Lieberman.
That $3B would represent 6x the aid that NATO just pledged, and would show are allies in NATO that we are committed to doing the right thing in the world.
I'll vote for you :)
K-pow K-punch k-smulch!
Okay my money's on....
Neither!
Everyone in the ring's a loser.
Zionism is so unbecoming.
Insecure old men need to give the reins to the new generation.
Or, do they not trust their children?
The original Latin of the expression "if you want peace prepare for war" comes from "Epitoma Rei Militaris," by Vegetius. The Latin is: "Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum." The phrase is sometimes rendered, “Si vis pacem, para bellum.” It is also the name of a track on an album by the popular band, “Children of Bodum.”
There is a good reason why most American Jews support the democratic process in Israel. For one thing, at this remove, it is not easy to substitute one’s judgment for that of others who live within mortar range of declared enemies who seek the annihilation of the Jewish state. For another, democracy means that you may not agree with an outcome of an election, but you agree to abide by the results.
May I suggest that you need to broaden your sample before you announce your conclusions about what the majority of American Jews think? Suffice it to say, you don’t speak for me, or for any of my Jewish friends and acquaintances.
Tell 'em Big Mitch sent ya!
- unless ofcourse your palestinian, in which case you voted for "terror" and we won't agree to abide by the results because we don't agree with the outcome of your election.
http://www.alipac.us/article4073.html
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article6031894.ece
New York, NY, April 2, 2009 � The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said that in his inaugural speech as Israeli Foreign Minister, Avigdor Lieberman stated clearly that Israel will continue to seek peace with the Palestinians, despite some international reaction and media accounts to create a contrary impression.
Glen S. Lewy, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, National Director, issued the following statement:
In his first speech as foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman clearly stated that Israel wants peace with the Palestinians. The simple truth articulated by Mr. Lieberman is supported by recent history, that Israel wants and has sought peace -- "We definitely want peace" -- but that Israeli efforts to offer concessions to achieve peace have produced more extremism and violence on the other side.
There is no better proof of Mr. Lieberman's commitment to peace than by his statement that Israel will "act exactly according to the road map," the internationally accepted basis for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, which would culminate in a two-state solution. He said that Israel will implement its commitment under the Road Map but, in his view, the key reason why the process has not progressed is Palestinian failure to dismantle its terror organizations, establish an effective government, and build institutions for a functioning civil society."
Tell me why this press release is wrong.
Remember it was Richard Nixon (!) who went to China...
The top Palistinian negotiator has stated that there will be no negotiations unless Israel discontinues settlement construction in the West Bank. There will be no negotiations unless the US can get the Palistinians to drop this demand as it's highly unlikely we can force Israel to end construction.
Talk of a two state sulution is a stall tactic being used by Israel and endorsed by the US. (my opinion)
The best we can hope for in the next four years is an end to the siege and less blood shed
The region knows this better than you and I.
That's why, after 64 years of brutal Israeli occupation and negative influence on the whole region, all nations of the region itself, including Greece, Cyprus and Turkey, have by now concluded that nothing short of the removal of the jack-boot state of Israel, will redress this long and enduring injustice to the whole region and not just the Palestinians.
Big war is coming, politicians from both sides know it, people from both sides know it, the 'experts' know it.
The reason for this upcoming big war? The 'stall tactics' used by Israel and her friends.