More on the Toronto Declaration: a letter signed by ten Jewish leaders in Atlanta supporting Jane Fonda’s statement in support of the Toronto protest. The most important part of this letter is the equivocal feeling it expresses about Israel’s behavior. And note of sympathy for the Toronto Declaration. Note the semi-candid statement about not ignoring "one side’s experience" or you sow more violence. About g-d time, huh? Gaza effect. Wake up, Jews.
There are many strong supporters and friends of Israel who both agree and disagree with the decision of the Toronto International Film Festival ("TIFF") to launch a celebratory spotlight on the city of Tel Aviv which ignores the issues surrounding the treatment of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories.
But all of us, regardless of how we feel about TIFF, should condemn the outrageous misrepresentations and accusations that have been leveled against Jane Fonda, a long-time supporter of Israel, who, along with nearly 1,000 others — including many Israelis — recently signed a letter protesting the decision.
People like Jane Fonda, and her co-signers including Danny Glover, Naomi Klein and Eve Ensler, are part of the school of thought that believes that ignoring one side’s experience, no matter which side that is, is a surefire recipe for ongoing fighting and conflict. Not everyone agrees with that approach, but it’s a valid one that aims for a just peace for all parties in the region.
Jane Fonda has done great good in Atlanta. She is the driving force behind G-CAPP, the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, that is committed to enriching the lives of young women and helping them achieve a healthy, productive future free of early pregnancy.
