Meretz is running an interesting piece by Aaron Ahuvia, a professor of management at the U of Michigan, analyzing the politics of the American Jewish community re the two-state solution. Ahuvia points out that the organized Jewish leadership is now firmly behind the 2-state solution and the only doubters inside the broader Jewish community are maximalists on the right and the Palestinian solidarity types on the left–15 percent of Jews in all. The maximalists are "well-funded," he says. As for the solidarity guys, they have no political influence. Thanks! (And you're right.)
Ahuvia, a Brit Tzedek member, goes on to say that the 85 percent, the body of American Jewry, is composed of pro-Israel realists (dovish, let's make a deal guys) and "worried Jews." The worriers don't trust the Palestinians. Jeffrey Goldberg types, lately converted. But a lot of them are very wary. "The debate for the principle of a two-state solution has
largely been won. But we still need to strengthen the activism
of 'pro-Israel realists' and convert more 'worried Jews' to
share our thinking," Ahuvia says.
Smart and interesting. A few points. Ahuvia says that it's an urgent matter to try to forge the alliance of the doves and the worrieds to the task at hand, "namely influencing the US government to work vigorously
for a negotiated two-state solution." Thereby overcoming those well-funded rightwingers. Influence. These guys love the Israel lobby. I ask you again: Where are the non-Jews? Where are the realists like Mearsheimer and Carter who support your goals all the way? The Bill Quandts, who supported a two-state solution more than 30 years ago. If you want to have influence, why not get some non-Jewish Americans on your team? The liberal Protestants, even if there are only a dozen left?
Another thing. Yes my group is powerless. So, Ahuvia breastbeats, were the two-state solution people back 20 years ago when the influence was all the other way. Now it's the mainstream. And yes I'm for a two-state solution now. Do it, baby. But if you don't do it, can't do it, my camp is only growing. We didn't exist a few years back, did we?
This is news?? It's not only the Jewish majority in America – it's also the Jewish majority (and I'm sure the Arab majority) in Israel yearning for a 2-state solution. Same formula both places – doves and worriers. The problem is whether these folks have any partner in peace on the other side. This is like no other occupation in the world. The occupiers and their supporters want OUT – even though getting out could threaten their existence. Time to focus on issues where there is a real villan out there, Phil. Not this one, where all folks of good will are pulling in the same direction.
The latest version of the best and the brightest group is in for a shock over the next ten years–a real chess master is coming, due his allotted time on the board.
If the occupiers and their supporters want out, the first step is to stop building there. We have listened for 15 years to Israel telling us they want out, while expanding to the point that now they don't know how. Stop telling us you want it, show us with yr actions instead, becasue nobody believes you anymore.
"The latest version of the best and the brightest group is in for a shock over the next ten years–a real chess master is coming, due his allotted time on the board."
What does this mean?
Father Ted -
It takes 2 to tango and the guys on the other side last time insisted on flooding Israel with refugees – a non-starter. They have elected terrorists, fired missles unceasingly from territory which was "un-occupied" and engage in behavior which is worrying enough to put reasonable doubts about the abilty of Israel to do anything than hunker down. Speak to Jews in the US and Israel – we all want out. The settlements will not stop the pullout. We just need responsible folks to hand the keys to.