Curiouser and Curiouser:
Likud Embraces American Jewish Peace Camp

Who’d a thunk it? Israeli ambassador joined PLO
ambassador to speak to APN forum
(credit: PeaceNow.org)

The Forward notes that Israel’s Ambassador in Washington spoke yesterday at an APN forum. He spoke on the same panel that included Hasan Abdel Rahman, PLO chief representative (click here for complete transcript). That’s very good news. But having IPF fete Ehud Olmert as the keynote speaker for its annual tribute dinner is outrageous. Olmert was the public Israeli government advocate of assassinating Yasir Arafat (see my previous post on the IPF invitation to Olmert). Such a man who talks of such a horrible deed is not far from one who actually commits the act. One may argue that he was talking tough in the way that right-wing Israeli politicians often do. But one thing that Israeli politics has shown us is that there is a perilously close connection between words and deeds. Once words like Olmert’s pass from his lips it is but a very small leap to the deed itself. So why in heaven’s name would IPF consider honoring such a man?

In cozying up to Olmert and other such individuals, I believe that IPF is dancing with the devil. And such a close association will not necessarily redound to the credit of IPF. I have been a strong advocate of IPF in my weblog, Tikun Olam. But this invitation reeks. I have asked Jonathan Jacoby of IPF to explain the invitation to me and so far he’s declined. My guess is it has something to do with the fact that IPF has managed to attract to its top leadership figures like Seymour Reich and Marvin Lender. In terms of lending the organization clout and leverage, it’s a great idea. But in terms of maintaining political integrity and cohesiveness of message, it can be a disaster. These individuals enjoy being close to power even if the values of those in power might be anathema to IPF’s natural constituency. So they naturally pull IPF in a direction it might not otherwise go if it only considered it’s own political values. This is the danger of falling prey to the “romance” of being mainstream. I am not saying that liberal Jewish groups should NOT attempt to influence and court the mainstream Jewish community and leadership. I am saying that this is a delicate balancing act which must be managed carefully.
Another thing to remember is that the current Israeli government’s “dalliance” with liberal American Jewish groups is a temporary tactical move designed for short term gain (winning over American Jewry to the pro-Gaza withdrawal camp). When this part of the process is completed these groups will be dropped like hot potatoes. I want to make clear that I’m not in favor of an ideologically purist posture regarding the overtures of Likud figures to the peace camp. I believe we should cooperate to the extent we can and show we can deliver significant voices to support a government position that promotes peace. But we should be very careful with our precious capital. If you tarnish your reputation by becoming a toady for the Likud, you cannot regain what’s been lost.

I hate to say this, but Sharon’s embrace of progressive American Jews signifies a certain desperation on his part due to his inability to win over the leaders and organizations that have been his historic partners: the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations and AIPAC. Behind closed doors, I imagine that he and his advisors are holding their noses as they contemplate wooing the Jewish peace camp. But I’m not one to stand on ceremony in these matters. In Jewish tradition, you aren’t allowed to consider the motives behind someone performing a mitzvah. The goodness of the deed speaks for itself and cannot be devalued by ulterior motive. So I applaud the government for reaching out to those it previously considered enemies. I just hope that it’s not a shotgun marriage that lasts only as long as it takes to get the bride and groom to the altar.