Today I got another email from a Jewish friend worrying about the consequences to Jews of Israel's actions in Gaza. I've heard the same concern from non-Jewish friends, including a Muslim. Israel is showing shocking indifference to Arab life; and Israel has the fervent support, once again, of American Jewish leadership, epitomized by Reform Rabbi Eric Yoffie's belligerent statements in the Forward, let alone AIPAC and the Conference of Presidents and Alan Dershowitz. Yes, there are notable exceptions, including J Street and two rabbis associated with Brit Tzedek and Jewish Voice for Peace. But the bottom line is: the world recognizes Gaza as a horror, and American Jewish leadership is blind–and insists that Gaza is being carried out in the name of Jews. Marty Peretz says that young Jews who criticize this slaughter "hate their inheritance," or something like that. Yoffie said that J Street's criticism was "morally deficient, profoundly out of touch with Jewish sentiment."
I.e., It's Jewish to wantonly murder Arabs because some have attacked you.
I worry myself. And I guess the answer is twofold: 1, Young Jews, speak out against the horrifying indifference of your parents! And, 2, mainstream editors and producers (many of you Jewish), open your eyes, see what's happening, notice how the U.S. and Israel have separated themselves from world opinion, notice the gulf between your opinion pages and the blogosphere; and give prominence to Jewish critics of this outrage.
