Comments on: Israel’s Future is in America’s Hands

By: Ben Packer

Ben Packer — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:12:25 +0000

why do Jews have to move? do any arabs have to move? they may consider it their “homeland”, but the “West Bank” is the Biblical Heartland, why can’t Jews live there? Why is it fair to rid the proposed state of Jews while arabs continue to live as citizens in Israel? I think in America we call this racism!

By: William Daroff

William Daroff — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:09:30 +0000

David, I have absolutely NO PROBLEM AT ALL with Americans expressing their concerns to American officials. As you put it: “Jewish-Americans … should not hesitate to express that concern to OUR elected officials.” (emphasis mine)

What I do have a problem with is Americans attempting to second-guess the democratic choice of the citizens of another sovereign state. Let Americans yell at the American government – vote for whomever they wish, vote against whomever they wish; let Israelis yet at the Israeli government – vote for whomever they wish, vote against whomever they wish.

But let’s not have Israelis telling us that our President is a fool, actively seek to elect someone else, and thereby undermine our democracy; and let us Amerians not tell Israelis that their Prime Minister is a fool, actively seek to elect someone else, and theerby undermine their democracy.

Again, it is not healthy, moral, or ethical for American Jews to tell Israeli Jews that we know best how they should be governed.

By: David Cooper

David Cooper — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:42:48 +0000

I think all American citizens have a right to express an opinion regarding federal spending including aid to Israel. Concerned Jewish-Americans who feel deeply that Israel’s settlement policy is self-defeating should not hesitate to express that concern to our elected officials; to do otherwise is to be complicit in a policy with which we strongly disagree and find ethically problematic. The notion that anyone who does not serve in the IDF and pay Israeli taxes should censor hirself is a manipulative guilt trip that works on fewer and fewer Jewish-Americans.

By: William Daroff

William Daroff — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:51:28 +0000

A twitterer says that I was unclear, and “made it seem like ALL diaspora opinion on Israel is invalid.” That’s not what I meant. I am not judding the validity or invalidity of anyone’s opinions. My point is simply that Israelis should pick their own government – and their right to do so, and the choices they make, should be respected and honored by everyone – particularly by those of us who have chosen not to become Israeli citizens.

By: Jack

Jack — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:26:22 +0000

I often wonder why we never hear much about all of the other lobbies that exist within the U.S. It is as if no one pays attention the influence that exists within these other groups.

By: William Daroff

William Daroff — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:03:46 +0000

Thank you for posting this, Simon. I will limit my comment to the issue I tried to express within the limitations of the 140 characters permitted by Twitter. It’s my own view, and not necessarily that of my bosses or organization. It’s also not so controversial, so maybe I don’t need the disclaimer.

Israel is a democracy. Israeli citizens vote in elections for their leaders. Those leaders represent the views of those who vote for them. When they do not represent the views of the voters, the voters can vote them out of office.

To be an Israeli citizen is an honor and a privilege (as is being an American citizen). One of the privileges that comes with citizenship is the ability to vote for those who lead the country.

For American Jews — or American Jewish organizational leaders — to supplant the views of the Israeli electorate is obviously undemocratic, but it’s also paternalistic. How can we sincerely justify the view that our view from Manhattan or Washington on Los Angeles is clearer than the view from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem or Sederot?

Sure, I know what’s best – and if I were the Dictator of the World, I could solve all the problems of said world with the snap of my fingers, but I haven’t been given that role (yet), nor has anyone else.

What’s ironic here is that all during the Oslo years many on the diasporatic right proclaimed that they knew better than the Rabin & Peres governments. And, during the Sharon era, first those on the left claimed they knew better, and then after disengagement, those on the right joined them. It reminds me of how US Republicans are for a strong uber-Presidency when the GOP is in the White House, and then miraculously become supporters of Separation of Powers with strong checks & balances when they lose the White House. Bottom-line: where you stand often depends on where you sit.

Second bottom-line: as I tweeted, if diasporatic Jews want to have a role in who leads Israel, it is incredibly easy to vote in Israeli elections. Easier for non-citizens than it is for probably any other country in the world. Under the Law of Return, all Jews have a birth-right to become citizens of the State of Israel. So, if you want to vote, call the Jewish Agency for Israel and/or Nefesh B’Nefesh, and make aliyah. With aliyah comes citizenship & the right to vote, with the right to vote comes the right to second-guess your neighbors as to who should best lead the sovereign State of Israel.

Simon, thanks for letting me express myself in more than 140 characters! Anyone who wants a taste of my truncated views, can follow me at http://www.twitter.com/daroff