They’re at it again. Last Monday September 8th the coalition put up their first digital billboard in response to the recent carnage in Gaza. The same day an Op-Ed, Judaism, nationalism or an insurance plan? by Iris Keltz, a founding member of Jewish Voice for Peace-ABQ, appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. Keltz’s op-ed made quite a splash by challenging what being pro-Israel really means.
Iris Keltz Op-Ed ABQ Journal 9.8.14
The pro-Israeli position usually refers to uncritical support based on religion or ethnicity. My family never questioned God gave Israel to the Jews, or that an empty land waited thousands of years for us to return. Beliefs are not always based on facts, but they are powerful and hard to change, especially when they’re reinforced at the pulpit.
At the onset of Israel’s attack on Gaza, our family was celebrating my mother’s 99th birthday in a synagogue festooned with Israeli flags. The rabbi prayed for the Jewish state in a time of war, for the safe return of soldiers and for planes to land safely at Ben Gurion International. The horrors happening to a civilian population in Gaza were never mentioned.
Most of us in the synagogue were Americans. We were not in Sederot facing incoming rockets, or in Tel Aviv waiting for sirens to stop. We had no adult children in the Israeli army and the idea of moving there was a worst-case scenario. If Jewish life in America unraveled, we could always go to Israel, our second-choice country, but, thank God, for now, the U.S. welcomed us.
Is this Judaism, nationalism or an insurance plan?
Today JVP-ABQ is holding a grief circle at the Jewish Community Center (office of the Jewish Federation of NM) for the first time in years such an event has been held in front of the JCC “challenging knee jerk support for Israel” and reading the names of the dead.
Here’s another peek at the digital billboard, this time lighting up the night sky.
Wow, Annie, Thanks for another amazing Find. I know MW’s limited by copyright, so I hope it’s okay if I add more of Keltz’s lyrical insights:
“Before becoming Israeli Prime Minister in 1977, Menachim Begin was a terrorist wanted by the British. His Zionist militia bombed the King David Hotel resulting in the death of civilians. When 78 percent of Palestine became the Jewish state, the militias became the Israeli Defense Force. Terrorist or freedom fighter depends on your perspective.
“Talking points bounce like a global ping-pong game – 2,139 Palestinian killed, including 504 children; 64 Israeli soldiers and six civilians. Bereaved families fill a land where racism and violence are the only winners.
“The Israeli Declaration of Independence “insures for the equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants, irrespective of religion or race … .” An Israeli peace group reminds compatriots of this broken promise by placing signs around the country to mark destroyed Arab villages.
“An Israeli friend spoke to Palestinian elders at a sign-raising ceremony. “I loved growing up in Herzelia. I’m sorry for your loss. I wish we could find a way to share the land.”
“Admit culpability. Apologize. Offer reparations. Open your heart. Support international law. That’s a pro-Israeli position.”
Mooser
September 15, 2014 7:04 pm
“Offer reparations.”
Cool, now your talkin’! So, let’s throw some numbers around, haggle a bit and we can arrive at a reasonable figure. So, Israel, what do you figure you owe? Just looking for ballpark here, not eye-shades and sleeve-garters. Wanna suggest a number?
Mooser
September 15, 2014 7:05 pm
Hey, nobody wants to make it tough on you, so what kind of payments can your budget handle?
Somebody finally made a left turn at Albuquerque!
Beautiful.
Thanks Annie.
Wow, Annie, Thanks for another amazing Find. I know MW’s limited by copyright, so I hope it’s okay if I add more of Keltz’s lyrical insights:
“Before becoming Israeli Prime Minister in 1977, Menachim Begin was a terrorist wanted by the British. His Zionist militia bombed the King David Hotel resulting in the death of civilians. When 78 percent of Palestine became the Jewish state, the militias became the Israeli Defense Force. Terrorist or freedom fighter depends on your perspective.
“Talking points bounce like a global ping-pong game – 2,139 Palestinian killed, including 504 children; 64 Israeli soldiers and six civilians. Bereaved families fill a land where racism and violence are the only winners.
“The Israeli Declaration of Independence “insures for the equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants, irrespective of religion or race … .” An Israeli peace group reminds compatriots of this broken promise by placing signs around the country to mark destroyed Arab villages.
“An Israeli friend spoke to Palestinian elders at a sign-raising ceremony. “I loved growing up in Herzelia. I’m sorry for your loss. I wish we could find a way to share the land.”
“Admit culpability. Apologize. Offer reparations. Open your heart. Support international law. That’s a pro-Israeli position.”
“Offer reparations.”
Cool, now your talkin’! So, let’s throw some numbers around, haggle a bit and we can arrive at a reasonable figure. So, Israel, what do you figure you owe? Just looking for ballpark here, not eye-shades and sleeve-garters. Wanna suggest a number?
Hey, nobody wants to make it tough on you, so what kind of payments can your budget handle?