Every day brings news of how fragile the Gaza ceasefire is. An Israeli soldier was killed recently in an ambush. Militants launched a flurry of rockets into southern Israel today. Israel retaliates by firing rockets of its own at Gaza positions virtually daily. The drums of war are pounding once again inside Israel. Nothing has been learned from the last war.
All of which convinces Jerry Haber and I of the necessity of promoting our American Jewish statement of opposition to Israeli policy in Gaza, We Shall Not Be Party to Their Counsel. We plan to take out ads in the Hebrew edition of Haaretz and The Forward to inform American Jews and Israelis that there is NO consensus supporting past, present or future mass killing in Gaza.
We need your support. These two ads will cost approximately $2,000. Jerry and I have committed to contributing several hundred dollars between us. But we cannot do this alone. It must be a communal undertaking by Jews and non-Jews committed to peace in Gaza. Please contribute as generously as you can via Paypal to support our campaign.
With your help we can let the Jewish world know that there are sane voices favoring a balanced, non-lethal Israeli policy in Gaza. A gift of $100 or more will allow us to make our voices heard. If we do not reach our goal, gifts can be returned to the donor or forwarded to UNWRA’s Gaza relief program.
To sign the statement, send us your name and affiliation if any. You may read the full statement and see a list of signatories.
Support the American Jewish statement against Gaza war
Thanks for doing this Richard! Thanks for the opportunity to put my money where my mouth is.
I seldom contribute to good causes, being of very low-income, but this is SO important.
This is where the situation will ultimately be decided – in the realm of for public opinion.
J Street: Defend 60 Minutes for Telling the Truth About Israeli Settlements in the West Bank
The CBS news program 60 minutes is under attack for stating the obvious about Israeli settlements in the West Bank: there can be a two-state solution, or there can be Israeli settlements in the West Bank, but not both.
Send a quick note (via J Street) to CBS to counter the right-wing flak.
http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/2747/t/3251/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=2523
Richard many thanks for this initiative. I just sent you my donation.
There is plenty of debate in Israel regarding the operation in Gaza. The debate for American Jews is whether or not they should come to Israel to help us build a better country. If you choose to stay there, then you have chosen to stay out of the fray, you have chosen not to have to suffer the consquences of your actions, and therefore you have chosen to stay out of our decision-making.
This is one of the oldest useless arguments in the book to attempt to disenfranchise Diaspora Jews from their right to speak out about issues affecting Israel. Interesting that when it’s convenient you Israelis are happy to have our money, our influence, etc. to help. But when we say things you find inconvenient then you whip out the classical Zionist tenet about the uselessness of the Diaspora and the primacy of Israel in Jewish life. How many ways can you spell h-y-p-o-c-r-i-t-e?
Reply to Richard Silverstein
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.
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.
First of all I have a BIG problem with groups like the Hebron Fund meddling in our politics. I am neither right-wing or religious. You assume too much about my thoughts and think too much of your own bravery in speaking out. It’s not too brave to “be direct” when you don’t have to suffer the consequences. I have American citizenship and can vote in US elections. But I don’t. I don’t live there; I don’t have to take responsibility for my actions; so I have no right to vote for leadership, protest US action in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, or elsewhere. As for you taking responsibility for your actions regarding Israel, how do you figure that? Do you have to live with the consequences of your actions? Nope — I do.
Rich, I have just been reading about this American Jewish Ad Campaign. I have looked at the websites where you guys ask for money, I have seen the anti-Israel books which are promoted, and I see a much darker, deeper agenda. You are sleeping with the enemy, my friend. You think these people recognize Israels right to exist???!
Shame. On. You.