The crisis continues. Recognizing the significance of the movement questioning the policies of Israel inside American and Jewish life now , the Anti-Defamation League has compiled a list of the "top ten anti-Israel groups" in the U.S. It includes many good organizations, among them the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Students for Justice in Palestine, Friends of Sabeel, Al-Awda, the Int'l Solidarity Movement, If Americans Knew, the US Campaign to Stop the Occupation, and Jewish Voice for Peace. "They stand out in that they are able to organize a significant number of events, have a national reach... attract people to their cause and affect the mainstream discussion about Israel."
Jewish Voice for Peace responds nobly and bravely:
We do not hold Zionism as a litmus test for membership. Some of our members are Zionists, some are anti-Zionists, and some are non-Zionists. We believe you can define yourself in any of these ways as long as you support an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank -- including East Jerusalem -- and Gaza, and you advocate for human rights, which naturally apply equally to Israelis and Palestinians. We stand by Israelis that hold these views, such as Israeli conscientious objectors and Israeli actors refusing to play in illegal settlements in the West Bank. We stand by Palestinians that hold these views, such as Palestinian activists protesting the Israeli confiscation of land in the West Bank town of Bil'in. We stand by internationals that hold these views, such as students pressing for divestment from occupation and war crimes or activists trying to break the siege of Gaza.
Justin Elliott has a great post on the smear campaign at Salon.
Last time we checked in on the Anti-Defamation League, the group was arguing against the Islamic community center near ground zero and trying to stop Muslims from learning about the Holocaust...
Here's a recent statement of JVP-organized artists in support of prominent Israeli actors and directors who refused to perform in the settlements. It is signed by the likes of Cynthia Nixon, Frank Gehry, Stephen Sondheim, Vanessa Redgrave.
If this is what "anti-Israel" looks like, which side will most American Jews choose?
At ADL says: “They stand out in that they are able to organize a significant number of events, have a national reach, use particularly vitriolic language against Israel and its supporters, attract people to their cause and affect the mainstream discussion about Israel. ”
I don’t think that when ADL says that JVP (and others) are trying to “attract people to their cause and affect the mainstream discussion about Israel” that they are praising JVP (and others).
I would hope that responsible Jewish groups, and in 2050, perhaps even ADL itself, will promote mainstream discussion, because it sure seems that, today, there is a rather active attempt to suppress mainstream discussion.
In this regard, thanks Phil.
Like Nixon’s Enemies List, this is a roll of honor.
JTA’s old cocker assembly meeting to discuss if there is a role for diaspora Jews: Yes and No. The settlements behind the wall were not open to debate. Jersualem was. And: “Noting the rise of anti-Israel sentiment in the world, Eizenstat spoke of the ripple effect a negative image of Israel can have on Diaspora Jews, particularly the younger generation.
“Jewish identity is increasingly tied to Israel, and as Israel’s status improves, it will be easier for younger Jews to identify not only with Israel but Judaism,” Eizenstat said. “When its image is negative, it undercuts that.”
“The gathering supported the notion that one of the best ways to fight delegitimization — described as a “battle of ideas” by Eizenstat — was for Israel and the Diaspora to do a better job of promoting the Israeli narrative.
To that end, conference leaders announced that Israeli President Shimon Peres, who was among the top-level speakers, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who addressed the gathering, was considering a tour of several college campuses in the United States.”
The diaspora’s role is to keep driving by in their truck each morning and spraying fruit-smelling disinfectant on the wall and in the alleys, you know where the homeless relieve themselves?