The other day I told a Jewish journalist friend about the Joe Klein "divided loyalties" brouhaha, and he said, "My god, I've always thought that a lot of these guys [neocons et al] have single loyalties. But I have never said as much because I know they'll jump all over me." I pointed out that Joe Klein himself has spoken, bravely, about the "bullying" campaign against him. Maybe that's why it took him five years to talk about the neocons' divided loyalties.
Well lookie here, one of Klein's bullies, the ADL, invokes "Jewish" and "Israeli" interests in urging "some" Jews who are upset by Darfur and Tibet not to get involved in a boycott of the Olympic Games in China. The ADL begins by invoking the American interest, but quickly moves on to other interests.
Time was that when people invoked the "Jewish vote," liberal Jews would bridle and say, We're Americans just like everyone else. That was in the 60s, before the 67 War, before the Holocaust awareness, before- Beyond the melting pot. Now identity politics are everything in the organized Jewish community…� Set me free why don't you baby?
The ADL:
Last,
but not least, are the Jewish interests. First is the matter of Iran's
nuclear program. China has surely not been helpful enough in bringing
about strong sanctions against Iran in the United Nations Security
Council. Without the influence of Russia and China, with their veto
power, far tougher sanctions could have been secured. Still, China has
cooperated enough for the Security Council to pass three different sets
of sanctions. An Olympic boycott with Jewish involvement would end any
hope of Chinese cooperation.
Second is the long-term
interest of Israel in maintaining and enhancing relations with China.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries are 16 years old and
trade has grown to more than $3 billion. While China's international
votes continue to be troubling, the bilateral relations have become a
tremendous asset for Israel. China's importance for Israel will grow as
the years pass. The opportunities are great because the Chinese have a
certain high regard for Jews, often referring to "these two great,
ancient civilizations."
Together with the opportunities
are challenges, particularly China's need for oil and its relations
with the oil states. A Jewish-led boycott would do untold damage to
future relations.
For all these reasons, the last
thing that we need as a Jewish community is to be seen as leading the
charge for an inappropriate boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games.
