Telling that in this discussion there is no mention of the Kahanist movement & its presence in current Israeli leadership. I can say that as an American Jew who has supported Israel since its inception, I now view people like Smotrich, Ben Gvir and their enabler Netanyahu with the same disgust reserved for George Wallace & his racist followers.
As an American Jew and proud Zionist who has lived in Israel in the past, it has become clear to me that most Israelis are unable to acknowledge the following truth:
A central reason why Israel is losing support among American Jews— especially the younger generation that lacks historical context— is that it refuses to clearly state that if it could be assured of security that it would support self determination for both nations living on the land.
It seems clear to those outside of Israel, that the reason this isn’t being stated is because Israel seeks to ultimately annex the territories. This would fulfill Kahane’s ugly vision.
It’s a losing long term vision, both morally and strategically. And the “but we have no partner” retort, while probably currently true, is a tired and unproductive trope. It’s a deflection to avoid what should be easily said from a position of military strength.
Diaspora Jews who want to see two states one day living side- by-side in peace— along with the normalization that might then come with key Arab states— are increasingly unable to ignore what the current Israeli government is doing in the territories. It’s a moral stain that is antithetical to Jewish moral values. Unless, of course you are a messianic or Kahanist Jew. In that case, this post is irrelevant.
But you don’t have to take the word of this Diaspora Jew. Check out Commanders for Israel’s Security (CIS), en.cis.org.il. They have all the Israeli security street cred you need.
I fear that Israel’s blind spot endangers its long term viability as a democratic Jewish state based on moral human values. That is the crux of it right now. Tikkun Olam starts at home. I pray that Israelis wake up and vote in a government that actually wants to make peace based on two national aspirations.
Up to a point I agree with you. On the other hand, support in this country for a two-state solution goes up and down based on whether Israelis believe the Palestinians are willing to agree to actual peace. At the moment, there is no one running to replace Bibi who believes that a two-state solution is possible any time soon. Even those who believe in it will talk about it since it has so little support at the moment. It is the only solution but maybe there is no solution at the moment.
To me, that’s the disconnect. There is a critical difference between believing it is possible now vs. stating regularly to the world that you are committed to some form of two states provided it is done over time with security.
But that is clearly not the goal of the current government (or whatever will hopefully replace it). And this unwillingness to clearly state the proper moral aspiration to end the occupation once security can be assured is completely misreading the room. Or worse, disregarding it.
The room, in this case, is most of the rest of the world, including now a majority of American Jewry. Most American Jews abhor the occupation and do not seek annexation and the continuation of unconscionable Kahanist behavior. We have no illusions about our enemies, but we need to do all we can to seek peace with security, not add fuel to the raging fire.
I greatly appreciate all you are doing in covering the situation. Hopefully you can provide a moral voice that cuts through the Israeli blind spot that is understandably borne of trauma, built nevertheless must be overcome if we are to have a chance at regaining the horrible loss of support abroad.
we love Owen! hardly ever see him anymore we don't get i24 anymore and the English hours don't match our schedules anyway (or it's the new version blech)
Telling that in this discussion there is no mention of the Kahanist movement & its presence in current Israeli leadership. I can say that as an American Jew who has supported Israel since its inception, I now view people like Smotrich, Ben Gvir and their enabler Netanyahu with the same disgust reserved for George Wallace & his racist followers.
As an American Jew and proud Zionist who has lived in Israel in the past, it has become clear to me that most Israelis are unable to acknowledge the following truth:
A central reason why Israel is losing support among American Jews— especially the younger generation that lacks historical context— is that it refuses to clearly state that if it could be assured of security that it would support self determination for both nations living on the land.
It seems clear to those outside of Israel, that the reason this isn’t being stated is because Israel seeks to ultimately annex the territories. This would fulfill Kahane’s ugly vision.
It’s a losing long term vision, both morally and strategically. And the “but we have no partner” retort, while probably currently true, is a tired and unproductive trope. It’s a deflection to avoid what should be easily said from a position of military strength.
Diaspora Jews who want to see two states one day living side- by-side in peace— along with the normalization that might then come with key Arab states— are increasingly unable to ignore what the current Israeli government is doing in the territories. It’s a moral stain that is antithetical to Jewish moral values. Unless, of course you are a messianic or Kahanist Jew. In that case, this post is irrelevant.
But you don’t have to take the word of this Diaspora Jew. Check out Commanders for Israel’s Security (CIS), en.cis.org.il. They have all the Israeli security street cred you need.
I fear that Israel’s blind spot endangers its long term viability as a democratic Jewish state based on moral human values. That is the crux of it right now. Tikkun Olam starts at home. I pray that Israelis wake up and vote in a government that actually wants to make peace based on two national aspirations.
Up to a point I agree with you. On the other hand, support in this country for a two-state solution goes up and down based on whether Israelis believe the Palestinians are willing to agree to actual peace. At the moment, there is no one running to replace Bibi who believes that a two-state solution is possible any time soon. Even those who believe in it will talk about it since it has so little support at the moment. It is the only solution but maybe there is no solution at the moment.
To me, that’s the disconnect. There is a critical difference between believing it is possible now vs. stating regularly to the world that you are committed to some form of two states provided it is done over time with security.
But that is clearly not the goal of the current government (or whatever will hopefully replace it). And this unwillingness to clearly state the proper moral aspiration to end the occupation once security can be assured is completely misreading the room. Or worse, disregarding it.
The room, in this case, is most of the rest of the world, including now a majority of American Jewry. Most American Jews abhor the occupation and do not seek annexation and the continuation of unconscionable Kahanist behavior. We have no illusions about our enemies, but we need to do all we can to seek peace with security, not add fuel to the raging fire.
I greatly appreciate all you are doing in covering the situation. Hopefully you can provide a moral voice that cuts through the Israeli blind spot that is understandably borne of trauma, built nevertheless must be overcome if we are to have a chance at regaining the horrible loss of support abroad.
Thanks for all you do.
we love Owen! hardly ever see him anymore we don't get i24 anymore and the English hours don't match our schedules anyway (or it's the new version blech)