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{weblog_name} - DNC, RNC: Is It All About Israel?
Comments (1)

Let the games begin – again. Now that the Summer Olympics Games are over, the November Election Games have begun. That means at the Baltimore Jewish Times we’re being courted heavily by surrogates from both parties who are out to convince us that their candidate is the best choice to lead our country these next four years. Now the first thing they do is trot out the pro-Israel card. Frankly, I find it shallow and sad. That’s not only because the campaigns think that this is the beginning and end of what their importance to Jewish voters will be, but that many Jews agree. The reason I’m downplaying the Israel card is actually because of the tremendous success of American Jewry in making the pro-Israel lobby – complete with its evangelical allies (at least on this issue) – a… read more

Neil:

I agree that the agenda of the Jewish community is diverse and not limited to what the presidential candidates say about Israel. We Jews care deeply about health care, immigration, religion in the public square, vouchers for private schools, national defense policies and more. You are right. We do not have one position about any of these important issues. I also agree that no candidate for national office today can expect to be elected taking an anti-Israel position. However,  let us acknowledge that Jewish supporters of Israel are not monolithic in their viewpoints about Israel either. We American Jews like to deceive ourselves into believing that Jewish support for Israel constitutes continuing the failed extremist policies of the Israeli government in defending and supporting Israel. Yet, in Israel itself, there is vibrant debate about how Israel should secure itself. None of that debate is permitted here in the United States as though no one is paying attention to what is being discussed there. C’mon, this is the internet age and what is openly challenged in the Istraeli media is quickly available worldwide. A credible position exists for Israel abandoning its bunker mentality and becoming increasingly proactive in developing a two-state solution with American government support. Indeed, the Israeli government seems to have started down that path in a serious way. Yet, too many American Jews seem to insist that no political candidate can take such a view without being castigated as “soft” on Israel, or worse, as “anti-Israel.” It is time for American Jews to change how we address our Israeli advocacy to candidates for whatever national office they may seek. The new political PAC, J Street, is offering the direction and leadership towards that end. It is time to examine and pursue alternative paths towards strong support for Israel. For Jews, this is no game. Our survival is at stake. If not now, when?

Rabbi Donald Berlin