"The answer so far is that liberal Jewish intellectuals have evaded the issue, arguing that Bush and Cheney bear full responsibility for the war."

This is an accurate summary, absent the exageration of the term "full".

The BIG reason that liberal Jews don't criticize Israel as much as or in the way you would like them to, is for two reasons:

1. Because Israel is their family, and the most ethical and effective manner to influence one's family members is by intimate suggestion, not by public denunciation.

2. Because they find that to demonize Israel and to stand in lockstep with left and/or fascistic anti-Israel zealots is equally wrong and innaccurate.

The far left constructs a silencing of liberalism, and you join in that silencing.

I know your liberal family. They express to me a sentiment of simultaneous assertion and compassion (I only see them at the same events that I see you). That is the majority Jewish voice, and even the majority of Jewish money.

What is "anti-Israel"? Is it being against the existence of Israel (the only nation-state that claims a "right to exist") or is it being against the policies of Israel?

Further, why is this dual loyalty something that we American Gentiles should trust? Just because the majority of Americans are more upset about immigrants cheering for their home country in soccer games than about policy that is detrimental to the long-term interests of the United States doesn't make the latter far worse than the former. The ability to hide a message in clever talking points rather than wrapping a flag around it doesn't make it any less insidious.

Theodore Roosevelt

We, reserve combat officers and soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces, who were raised upon the principles of Zionism, sacrifice and giving to the people of Israel and to the State of Israel, who have always served in the front lines, and who were the first to carry out any mission, light or heavy, in order to protect the State of Israel and strengthen it.

We, combat officers and soldiers who have served the State of Israel for long weeks every year, in spite of the dear cost to our personal lives, have been on reserve duty all over the Occupied Territories, and were issued commands and directives that had nothing to do with the security of our country, and that had the sole purpose of perpetuating our control over the Palestinian people. We, whose eyes have seen the bloody toll this Occupation exacts from both sides.

We, who sensed how the commands issued to us in the Territories, destroy all the values we had absorbed while growing up in this country.

We, who understand now that the price of Occupation is the loss of IDF’s human character and the corruption of the entire Israeli society.

We, who know that the Territories are not Israel, and that all settlements are bound to be evacuated in the end.

We hereby declare that we shall not continue to fight this War of the Settlements.

We shall not continue to fight beyond the 1967 borders in order to dominate, expel, starve and humiliate an entire people.

We hereby declare that we shall continue serving in the Israel Defense Forces in any mission that serves Israel’s defense.
The missions of occupation and oppression do not serve this purpose – and we shall take no part in them.

Seems maybe before the USA will take things equally seriously, we need to bring back the military draft.

Many spend a great deal of time in jail, and experience a great deal of censure in their communities, for their opinions and actions.

But, in most cases, the type of service that soldiers experience can be negotiated. Those that are stationed at roadblocks, but who have confusion as to their mission, are not effective at their jobs. They make mistakes. They are often the ones that harm, as they are over their heads in tension and confusion.

Phil expresses that he doesn't understand why liberal Jews aren't on the streets, or the phones.

He should understand.

It invokes reaction, not sympathy.

Why would someone stand with you in solidarity about anything, if they know you could and do turn on them so viciously?