I hate the destruction and death in Gaza, too. But THINK! What is Israel to do?

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard this hackneyed, trite, and stupid phrase I’d be a rich Jew.

They don’t recognize Israel’s right to exist.

Uh, no. That’s not right unless you’ve been reading CAMERA & MEMRI. Hamas has made it quite clear that they would be prepared to live in peace if Israel withdrew to ’67 boundaries.

They think we stole their land, and want the whole thing.

Yes, to the first. No to the second. You’ve been reading too much Little Green Footballs or John Hagee.

This is not about the settlements.

Says who? You? Would you concede the Palestinians have a far diff. perspective on this? And that you might not have a clue what you’re talking about??

You don;t hear much these days about the Palestinians wanting “a two state solution”

You mean YOU don’t hear much about this. Others of us who are a bit more widely read know that there are still Palestinians who would accept a 2 state solution, though they & many Jews are beginning to despair of this option being possible.

They will simply never be happy until they have all of Israel.

Are you Karnak that you can read their mind?? What gives you such telepathic powers?

And you know what? They can’t have it.

Well, that settles it. I’ll be sure to tell Hamas that you’ve made clear who’s boss & they’ll surely surrender the moment they hear your definitive comment.

Shame. On. You.

Influence on American policy for Israel and money for social projects is fine and appreciated — but mixing it up in our politics or criticism of our policies is out of your range if you do not live here to take the consequences.

No, no, no. YOu don’t get to take and then get to set the parameters of the relationship. It’s a package deal. YOu take from American Jews and America in general, you accept our involvement in Israel in general whether you like it or not.

I’ll bet you don’t have any problem with U.S. groups like the Hebron Fund intervening in Israeli politics. That’s kosher. But when American Jews who don’t share your politics intervene, then it’s treif. That double standard doesn’t work I’m afraid.

And I’m not asking for yr permission to express my views about Israeli politics. I’ll do it whether you like it or not. Your views harken back decades to when Zionism reigned supreme. If you didn’t make aliya Israelis said you had no say in Israel. Amazing how Israelis claim Israel is the central address of Jewish life and identity & then refuse to listen to Diaspora Jews who take this matter seriously and attempt to envision an Israel that would make all of world Jewry proud.

I do take responsibility for my beliefs regarding Israel. If I wasn’t dead serious about my connection to Israel do you think I’d waste my time writing about it? And I certainly will NOT be circumspect in what I say about Israel. I will be forthright. I will be clear. I will be direct. Like it or not. That’s what I’ll be.

I didn’t say anything about the uselessness of the Diaspora nor the primacy of Israel in Jewish life — that’s your read. Influence on American policy for Israel and money for social projects is fine and appreciated — but mixing it up in our politics or criticism of our policies is out of your range if you do not live here to take the consequences. It’s not to silence you or disenfranchise you; it’s simply that you don’t have to take the responsibilty for your actions and therefore should be circumspect about what you say.