Comments on: Gaza and the Shame of American Jewish Liberals

By: B.BarNavi

B.BarNavi — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:27:02 +0000

When you reduce the fact that infrastructure and civilians have been blown up down to purely abstract acts of countering-attacking Hamas in self-defense, of course it’s justified. But then that’s ignoring reality.

Israel CAN AND SHOULD defend itself without resorting to such DESPICABLE actions.

Yasher Koach to Rabbi Waskow. He never ceases to amaze me (in a good way).

By: Richard Silverstein

Richard Silverstein — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:13:47 +0000

@Noah:

Is it despicable for Israel to defend it’s own citizens?

Do you call systematically destroying every piece of infrastructure in Gaza, killing over 100 women & children & 500 overall a “defensive” act?? If so, your priorities & judgment are seriously askew.

By: Walter Ballin

Walter Ballin — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:49:58 +0000

Jill, Thanks. I read the Newsweek article. I neglected to mention that there are Israeli-Arabs serving in the Kenesset, but they’ve never been invited to serve in the coalition governments. Unfortunately the ultra-orthodox religious parties like the Shas do serve in the coalitions. It’s the Shas Party that insists on the Israeli government allowing the building of more and more Jewish settlements in the West Bank. For anyone who thinks that Israel is 100% right in its actions, how can anyone expect there to ever be peace and security for Israelis or anyone else?

By: Noah

Noah — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:42:05 +0000

@B.BarNavi
“Just because the Jewish state is engaging in some pretty despicable acts..”
Is it despicable for Israel to defend it’s own citizens? How about fighting Hamas which is hell bent on killing Jews? R’ Yoffie? Oh my! One mistake after another…

By: Jill

Jill — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:30:19 +0000

@Walter re: support for two-state – I don’t doubt that at all, I’m only saying that when I was there and visited w/the Mayor of West Bartaa in the Triangle, he made it very clear that he and most Israeli Arabs he knew would never consider being under a Palestinian gov’t even with two states. He also spoke at length about his son, who is in his 20s and in university in either Tel Aviv or Haifa – I forget which – considers himself 100% Israeli but wants, as that Newsweek column suggests, complete parity with Jews in Israel. That is a civil rights battle which, again, going back to that Newsweek piece, really does have to succeed in Israel in order for its national building to progress.

By: Jill

Jill — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:25:25 +0000

@Walter – Interesting. Here’s an article this week at Newsweek (http://www.newsweek.com/id/177757) which talks about what you state, but I think it’s best to clarify that there currently are 12 Israeli Arabs serving in the Knesset, but they’ve not been invited to join a coalition of any type – correct? I’m not very learned on this so any additional links or clarification you’re willing to take the time to give would be helpful.

Given that Livni’s efforts failed to produce a gov’t and that’s why they have an election coming up, it’s an interest point to examine. I’m against Netanyahu and his plans – I would think most Israeli Arabs would be as well. Contemplating some kind of alignment with Kadima – wow – think that might bring Sharon back to life? :)

By: Walter Ballin

Walter Ballin — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:05:08 +0000

Jill and All, Regarding the Israeli Arabs, it concerns me that they are never included in the Israeli coalition governments. Certainly if they were, that would help pave the way for peace. So to me Israel is a theocracy the way it’s set up. I still go along with a two-state solution, but the time may come where I won’t if this dispute isn’t settled soon as I said.

By: Walter Ballin

Walter Ballin — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:47:07 +0000

Jill, I read a couple of polls a while back showing that a majority of Palestinians support a two-state solution. I don’t have time to search now. Certainly the Palestinian Authority under Abbas supports this, and I already mentioned what the Hamas Prime Minister in Gaza Heneyeh said. But then again, if this dispute isn’t settled soon support even among the Palestinians for a two-state solution will dissolve.