-Andrew Fretwell-
Part Deux on this blog regarding the emergence of J Street and its implications on the Jewish world regarding Israel and Jewish political organizing, unity and diversity.
It’s been a few months since I wrote a post about J Street as I rode home from their first national conference. Time has gone by and now we are seeing the first real confrontation between the US Administration and the Israeli Government and what do the Jews say? Hmm…I’m not sure what the world hears from us. Do they hear the Anti-Defamation League do its usual “Israel can do no wrong” act? Or does the world hear J Street egg on Obama like a vindictive child standing behind his irate dad saying, “Oh you did it now, Bibi!”
I am not entirely sure which voice the world hears and this really worries me. I understand where J Street has come from. The national conference was a catharsis for so many. Finally, there was a chance for non-Likudniks to talk openly about Israeli politics without being called a self-hating Jew. As a Jew who prefers Ben-Gurion and Rabin to Bibi and Lieberman, it felt great!
But there is a difference between Jews discussing Jewish affairs (including Israeli policy) among themselves in a safe space and publicly partitioning Jews into rival political camps. When it comes to political organizing, two voices is not good, really not good at all.
Who is at fault here? The greater leadership of the Jewish community is and the Jewish community must reconcile J Street and AIPAC to reengage the full Jewish community to take on the task of defending and perfecting Israel.
Right now AIPAC’s ability to defend Israel is faltering. You want proof? look no further than the very existence of J Street. There will never be a more reliable base for protecting Israel in American politics than the Jewish community. If AIPAC were truly effective it would include, welcome and encourage all Jews who are pro-Israel, though not necessarily pro-settlement expansion. Losing those moderate and liberal American Jews is a heavy loss that no amount of Pat Robertsons can replace.
On the other hand, the emergence of J Street does not help us perfect the Jewish state because instead of resolving our internal wrangling, it institutionalizes it. It also converts our inner divisions into strategic benefits for the enemies of Israel and the Jewish People. Paraphrasing Professor Gil Troy, so many Jews make the mistake of speaking publicly as if the world plays be the sense of fairness we subscribe to. Unfortunately, the world is not fair and statements that would otherwise by reasonable, though critical of Israel, are distorted into intellectual, rhetorical and recruiting ammunition for those who look to destroy Israel. J Street cannot be a permanent revolution.
We need only look to our own history to see our options. 2000 years ago, the Pharisees (Rabbis) and Sadducees (Temple Hierarchs) were publicly at bitter odds with one another. It does not matter who was right. What matters is that while we squabbled, the Romans didn’t; they conquered us: Pharisees, Sadducees, everyone.
So what to do? Well, I think the answer is simple and seemingly so far off, it must be related to the Middle East. What we need is a greater body that incorporates and includes the Friends of Gush Katif and American Peace Now so we can come together, discuss policy, and yes, disagree. However, there is one basic statement that would hold together this heterogeneous community: We believe in the State of Israel.
Too simple? Too broad? Maybe it is. But we need a forum for all Zionist/Pro-Israel Jews to convene together. Who can do this? What Jewish leader has the clout, prestige and authority to bring together these warring tribes? President Shimon Peres, are you looking for one last great accomplishment? If you think you’re up for this great challenge, this could make for a nice legacy.
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