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From: david@wisc-rsch.arpa (David Parter)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Jews and Israel
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Date: Mon, 19-Aug-85 22:47:07 EDT
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Posted: Mon Aug 19 22:47:07 1985
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> As Jews, what is our responsibility to the State of Israel?

ah, a very good question. I am not sure i can answer this now, but we
do have a responsibility, although not a simple one. (The fact that you 
raise the question just underscores this).


> This question has been on my mind these past weeks mainly because of what
> is going on in (of all places) South Africa.  Israel is one of RSA's
> largest trading partners - both countries are involved in the world
> diamond trade.  Israel is also rumoured to be a major supplier of military
> hardware to the RSA.

> As Jews, is it our first responsibility to oppose the unjust regime of
> apartheid and all countries who are a party to it *or* to stand by the
> policies of the State of Israel?

As human beings it is our first responsibility to oppose and unjust regime
of any kind anywhere. As Jews, it is also our responsibility to opposse
unjust actions or policies of the Israeli government. We have an obligation
to do this in a positive manner -- not to simply jump on the bandwagon
to prove to the rest of the world that we too can criticize Israel. Rather
we should provide constructive criticism as well as support when Israel
needs it.

> To take it a step further, do we have the right to "oppose" policies of
> the State of Israel as non-Israelis?

It depends which policies (ie the level of income tax is NOT really 
something reasonable for a non-israeli to criticize), the motivations 
we have, and the method chosen.  I feel comfortable crticizing Israel 
for her policies in the occupied territories, but i am a Zionist planning
aliyah in the near future. This makes my criticisms more acceptable to my
Israeli friends. On the other hand, if i were not a Zionist planning aliyah,
i would feel the same way about those policies, and my right to oppose them.
Of course, Israel and individual Israelis also have the right to ignore me.

> A thorny question... I am interested in hearing what *you* think!

well, i have answered the general question, but not the specific. As for
Israel's relations with 'RSA' (as you put it), i oppose her selling any
arms to a racist and unjust regime, and in any way contributing to the
continuation of aparthied. The argument that S.A. is one of Israel's only
friends in the world doesn't change things. Some things you can forgive 
in friends, some things you can't. Racism is wrong, no matter who is the
racist.

> *** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE ***
-- 
david parter
UWisc Systems Lab

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