Growing up outside Philadelphia, my family received the Jewish Exponent newspaper every week. I believe it was sent to every Jewish person in the area that was a member of a synagogue (we were members of Har Zion),
along with other subscribers I’m sure. The Exponent was always known for
being very right wing, and as I became older I heard many stories about
Jewish peace activists who tried for years to get a hearing in the
paper to no avail.
I give this introduction because as we track the big picture of
shifting perceptions and stories of international significance,
there are hundreds of small stories that show how the debate is opening up. And I’m relieved to say one of these stories involves the Exponent.
The story begins when Philadelphia Jews for a Just Peace held a
silent vigil outside the opening of the Philadelphia Israeli Film
Festival (photo above, credit: Sue Rouda). Within the orthodoxy
of the Jewish community even a vigil is too much. A month later the
Exponent ran an opinion piece by Adam Levick about the protest entitled
“What Are They Really Asking When It Comes to Israeli Survival?”
Levick is an ex-staffer for the Anti-Defamation League, so as can
be expected he sees nefarious intent in even the most benign actions.
In just one passage Levick says, “If you’re really committed
to a better world, why do you insist on using such incendiary and
hyperbolic rhetoric? Vilification and vitriol is a blind alley that
takes us nowhere. Your radicalism undermines the forces for peace in
Israel and in the Palestinian territories.” All this in response to a vigil that simply
held a banner that said “See the Whole Picture.”
The whole article is
really worth reading, and it includes a great shout out to Mondoweiss (thanks
Adam!), but the real story is in what came next. Unlike a generations
of activists before them, Phildelphia Jews for a Just Peace have been
given a opportunity to respond and suffice it to say they have. From
today’s Jewish Exponent:
A Jewish Activist Calls for Peace and Justice
With regard
to “What Are They Really Asking When It Comes to Israeli Survival?”
(Op-Ed, April 23), we understand that the presence of Jewish activists
with banners reading “See the whole picture” might be disturbing at
events like the opening gala of the local Israeli film festival. But
that’s why we were there.Jewish ethical tradition teaches
“Justice, justice, thou shall pursue.” I am an unapologetic activist
for peace with justice, an engaged, synagogue- affiliated, practicing
Jewish American and Jewish educator. I understand the history of
persecution and violence against us, how it has shaped Jewish identity
and informs how we respond to the world.Palestinian rocket
attacks against civilians are unjustifiable. Yet Israel has military,
economic and technological superiority. The people who inhabit Gaza
once lived in Ashkelon. The consequences of Jewish statehood in 1948 –
the dispossession and displacement of 750,000 Palestinians — must be
acknowledged, not cemented in security barriers, settlements and
occupation.We need to think long and hard about who we are as
Jews in the broader human community — and empathize with all
suffering, rather than simply enshrining Jewish suffering.Two traumatized peoples need to heal. It’s time for truth and reconciliation, and not white phosphorous.
Peace
with justice is what’s best for everybody. It cannot be achieved
through Israel’s violations of human rights and international law.
Until American Jews understand and include these inconvenient truths
into their conversations, American Jewish activists for justice will be
on the streets.Susan Landau
Philadelphia Jews for a Just Peace
The media blackout within the Jewish community is breaking down. The vigil action took the discussion to the heart of the Jewish community in Philadelphia and forced a debate that the community has been avoiding for decades. Once that discussion begins it will be difficult to stop. As the letter shows the conversation is not just about Gaza, or about the occupation, but about the the history of Israel that we have chosen to ignore. As Landau says, “Until American Jews understand and include these inconvenient truths
into their conversations, American Jewish activists for justice will be
on the streets.” And in the process they will be shaping the debate and reshaping the community.
{ 21 comments }
What media blackout are you referring to?
Wow- you went to Har Zion and now you're doing this? Pretty impressive! Big props to all the Philly folks who helped in breaking through to the Exponent. Let's be clear that it isn't just this one vigil, but the constant presence of this group and others like them that have forced the Exponent to open up its discourse. Let us know what the letters to editor say in response to Susan's letter.
Yeah, what media blackout? I eat cheeseburgers so you should ID with me over those culturally ignorant Palestinians. Here's my cousin's video summing up my partner Richard Witty's POV: http://negevrockcity.com/post/103736264/alexbalk-... Why read Walt & Mearsheimer or Carter when you can have Richard Witty for free?
What about Palestinian survival? Why should Americans care more about one group than the other? And, shouldn't they start looking at their one-sided approach in terms of their own long-term survival? Is "Never Again" limited to Jews? What, the rest of the world's people don't count?
> Two traumatized peoples need to heal. Two? You mean, the Jews are traumatized because of YOUR OWN crimes against Palestinians? You mean, people who hold a similar moral worldview as the people who would crash thooth out of dead bodies at the nazi camps in order to get at the gold fillings, are "traumatized"? Cut the crap short and accept that you Jews have definitely forfeited the right to be called "victims", forever.
And you have forfeited any right to participate in a normal discussion.
Hey, if we Jews can't claim victimhood always and forever, you mean people around the world will actually start looking at power finally fully in the hands of Jews? Jeez, even Truman, our first in a long line of USA presidents, had a problem with this–of course that did not stop him from rubber-stamping Zionism for the same reason his successors did–each Goy President in turn wanted to get or maintain the President slot. Nothing has changed. I don't blame racist jews, I blame goy traitors. Check it out; it's going on as we comment on this blog.
forfeiting rights is what it is about…you can not say that genocide is illegal for the occupation or critize their methods ..nor can you critize the three branches of united states government whom are in bed with them. After a roll call this year as to others the world and the laws passed to stop the critics of genocide and the supporters of such when it comes to the occupation of the usa and palestine actually bring the light of guilt into more of a wide view than stop it all together. A sad component of this will be the responses by the world to such atrosities. The fact that it is only they whom rule and use the taxes for the genocide has started the downfall just as rome fell so shall the mighty fools that actually believe in the return of a savior…who is going to say you all from the responses that come along with it.
Jews have always throughout history only defended themselves from anti-semitism, and always merely helped fight those who are racists by birth. Jews are the ones who will tell you what a mental disease is. If you find fault with their reasoning, their assumptions–that just proves you are mentally ill.
a wonderful thing the brain too bad the paranoid occupiers had used theirs for a peaceful solution instead of taking the examples of the earlier settlements they made with the american indians here ..whom are laughing last at the facts they will soon have their country back if the downward spiral of the zionist ruling elite keep at it. and the guilt of the fact rahm emanuel pushing a law with others to cover the genocidal maniacs is laughable he and the law passers have done just the oposite they are opening the door and letting down the covering of the genocidal madmen at the helm. Barack is going to be worse than bush by far…far right which stands and pulls his strings just as the puppet he is. I wonder what his childrens children will say about him…was he corrupt too, how did he let them control him,,he is president. "the same way all other presidents find out" they are in and are the government that really run the usa. see we can sson no longer use the j -word or others so they will simply be ..they, and people will know whom you refer to.
instead of taking the examples of the earlier settlements they made with the american indians here Thanks able, was having the same thought: let the Zionists take the lot at least have them compensate the Palestinians fairly; it's not as though Israel can't afford it. But even a gesture as simple as that Israel dismisses with barely a shrug.
Levick on Jews holding a banner that simply reads "See the Whole Picture: "If you're really committed to a better world, why do you insist on using such incendiary and hyperbolic rhetoric? Vilification and vitriol is a blind alley that takes us nowhere." This is so typically Zionist. Any resistance, no matter how meek, is an "incendiary, vitriolic, vilification" of Jews. Another Holocaust in gestation. Of course, they don't really believe their own rhetoric. It's all shrewd and shameless manipulation and emotional blackmail employed so they can perpetually have their way with minimal resistance. If another Holocaust is indeed gestating, it is the Judeofascist Zionist mentality and greed that is feeding it, not a few Jews holding a banner that reads “See the Whole Picture.” The Zionists are actually accusing peaceful Jews of what they know themselves to be guilty of: stirring up hatred towards Jews. How shameless. How slimy. In some ways, I'm surprised that non-Judeofascist Jews haven't already strung up the Zionists as pay-back.
Another point I've got to ask about: why are so many of these Jewish American anti-Zionist peace activists women? Where are the men? It seems to me most of the pictures and most of the reporting that Weiss and Horowitz have done from the field disproportionately involves women. Could it be that politically correct, emasculated, left-liberal American society has reduced most of the Jewish men who would otherwise be standing up to these Judeofascist thugs to a bunch of hand-wringing Woody Allens? Martillo is about the only Jew with any balls to really go after the Zionists — and he cut his teeth in Israel! Time to grow a pair, lads. Quit sticking around home, sniffing mother's panty drawer and get out there at these rallies and start chasing some of that tail. And take an axe-handle to the clay feet of these Judeofascist Zionist thugs while you're at it.
You are saying that Martillo is insane? How interesting. Come around with your axe handle. You'll never guess where it will be shoved. PS: You won't enjoy it. But than, maybe you will.
> Jews are the ones who will tell you what a mental disease is. A related piece of T-Shirt wisdom goes like this: "You have to be Juan to know Juan" > If you find fault with their reasoning, their assumptions–that just proves you are mentally ill. This reminds me of "If you are not with us, you are against us" – remember that creep? And it is pretty paranoid a thing to say. And BTW, I find great fault in the reasoning of Jews when it comes to the notion that Palestinians (and, actually, ALL non-jews), are worth less than cattle, … this kind of "reasoning" supported, I understand, by a majority of jews (about 90% in respect of the last Gaza atrocity). Am I crazy because of that, or, am I on the same page with the rest of humanity, those of us who insinctively reject the moral particularism at the root of zionism (which is actually modernized pharisaism) inculcated into jews by your masters, the rabbis ? If that makes me crazy, well …
LOL Witty is totally blind. Please, Mister Witty, immigrate to Israel. You are a canker on the American body. You need large doses of vitamin B-12.
Actually, Ed is saying the opposite. Then again, no real man ever accused most Jewish males of being heroic. Jewish literature is full of how they are enmeshed with their mothers. I guess their balls were cut of with their foreskins…. The poor ones end up with a Jewess nag; the rich ones with a tramp shiksa who uses them for a wallet. Especially the ugly & short ones.
This is rich! My assertion that much of the anti-Zionist left engages in "hyperbole, vitriol, and vilification" is refuted by a diatribe claiming that: "If another Holocaust is indeed gestating, it is the JUDEOFASCIST Zionist mentality and greed that is feeding it," The irony is exquisite:) Another favorite phrase I find posted on this site is JUDEONAZIS. JUDEOFASCISTS and JUDEONAZIS Unite! Oh, and by the way, Horowitz's post conveniently left some facts….didn't let his readers see "the whole picture", about the rally outside the Israeli Film Festival…specifically, the flyer passed out at the rally, which I'd be happy to forward to anyone. It made reference to Israeli Apartheid, Israeli racism,, and leveled a quite explicit charge that Israel was committing "crimes against humanity". Hmmm…racism, Apartheid, crimes against humanity….such restrained rhetoric…how could I have possibly claimed that the group sponsoring the protest engaged in vitriol? Finally, one of the signs at the rally was (quite unintentionally) funny. It claimed Israel was "Uprooting Trees". Oh, the horror! Us Zionazis also aren't Green.
Imagine if somebody uprooted the cosmetic only trees (not olive or fruit trees to live off of) in Adam Levick's yard. He'd be whining constantly on 9-1-1, claiming how much he pays the local goy cops out of his taxes.
Operationally, the Zionists employ two basic waves of shock troop: the Naked Aggressors, followed by Victim Peddlers. The first wave does the knife work, and then the second wave comes in and invokes the Jewish Victim Narrative to shut down those who object to the knifings. Adam Levick as part of the second wave, a peddler of one of the endless variation of "Us Jews are historical victims. Your resistance to our actions is proof that you want to victimize us, too." Usually the more effete Jews are utilized as second-wavers, and nearly all of the Jewish Zionists in America are second-wavers, otherwise they would be in Israel fighting the trench warfare. Instead, they're in America, hiding in their mother's skirts, only to emerge to broadcast the Jews' eternal victim status to all of those foolish enough to listen, and suggest that Americans who object to Israeli atrocities and Israel's endless welfare at America's expense are anti-Jewish bigots. And maybe they are — or have become so as a result of the behavior of Zionists who have been allowed and encouraged to interweave themselves with organized Judaism.
Another point I've got to ask about: why are so many of these Jewish American anti-Zionist peace activists women? Where are the men? Chasing schicksas, no doubt, damn them! Good Gott in himmelfarb, what is happening to this world? All the Jewish men are marrying Gentiles, most of them women, all the black guys are marrying white women, and vice versa. What's next? Not me, damn it! I'm a good Jewish boy, and I am saving myself for the man I marry!
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