Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site allegra.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!jay From: jay@allegra.UUCP (Jay Hyman) Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish Subject: Re: Jews and Israel Message-ID: <4973@allegra.UUCP> Date: Wed, 21-Aug-85 15:53:54 EDT Article-I.D.: allegra.4973 Posted: Wed Aug 21 15:53:54 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 24-Aug-85 13:37:33 EDT References: <332@sol1.UUCP> Reply-To: jay@allegra.UUCP (Jay Hyman) Distribution: net Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill Lines: 80 Keywords: Israel, Zionism, South Africa Summary: Get involved; don't just criticize. In article <332@sol1.UUCP> s252@sol1.UUCP (Al Berg) writes: >As Jews, what is our responsibility to the State of Israel? Whatever responsibility your concept of Jewishness has impelled you to accept. There are ultra-Orthodox groups who feel it their responsibility to do all in their power to bring about the demise of the State of Israel. There are those who feel that Judaism=morality and for whom the State of Israel means absolutely nothing. All are equally Jewish. My response, however, is aimed at that portion of the Jewish people who accept this basic Zionistic concept: that Israel is the Jewish homeland, and as such, we are all connected to it in some way. This, then, does imply some level of support. Hence the question: >To take it a step further, do we have the right to "oppose" policies of >the State of Israel as non-Israelis? As Jews who are not Israeli citizens, what should our reaction be towards Israeli policies which we oppose? The opposition is undeniable - all humans have the "right" to feel as they wish - but what can we do about it? Citizens of a country can express their dissatisfaction at the voting booths, but we do not have that outlet available. In fact, many Israelis would try to end this discussion right there: you don't serve in the army; you don't live here; don't try to tell us what to do. This I can not accept. As stated, I feel a part of Israel, and would like that part to consist of more than watching from the sidelines. So - what to do? While American (and worldwide) Jews have no vote in Israel, we certainly have financial clout. Of course, I'm not suggesting that anyone stop contributing; I am saying that our voice will be listened to. There are organizational channels by which American Jewish leaders communicate with Israeli leaders. On an individual level letters and telegrams to Israeli politicians may be just as effective as those sent to Congressmen and Senators here. In short, my point is that there are ways of communicating directly, in the role of brethren, with the leaders who represent us in Jerusalem. There is, of course, another avenue for expressing political opinions, and that is the American press. This, I feel, is not the appropriate forum for expressing opposition. Criticizing Israel in front of a third party (the American public) does not help change Israeli policies; it only serves to create animosity and to add fuel to the fires of Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism (the fine line between them, if it exists, is seldom observed) which are so easily ignited throughout the world. Unfortunately, during Operation Peace for Galilee, many American Jewish leaders did just this: they criticized Israel and threatened withdrawal of support if Israel didn't change their policies - in the American papers. The New York Times delighted in printing it; Israel was enraged to hear these threats second hand. If you don't like the policies of a group to which you belong, you have two valid options: a) Quit the group (and condemn it if you wish) b) Try to change it from inside. To continue your membership in the group while badmouthing it to others is a hypocritical and futile attempt to assuage your feelings of guilt. Thus, my answer to the question, given that one still feels a connection to Israel, is: either get involved and try to change what you don't like, or keep your mouth shut. >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? I agree with a previous respondent that the premise of the question is somewhat misleading. While Israel does have a decent relationship with South Africa, its level of support is much lower than that of many European countries, as well as that of Mozambique. In keeping with my previous statements, I feel it is important to support Israel by not letting anyone exaggerate Israel's role as an ally to apartheid. At the same time, it would be quite worthwhile to encourage Israel to put more pressure on South Africa to abolish this horrible system. Jay Hyman