US Jewish movements come together in support of Israel

[King_David]

Reform, Orthodox, Conservative and Reconstructionist groups put aside differences for ‘Solidarity Shabbat’



The Kesher Israel Synagogue in Washington, DC (AgnosticPreachersKid/Wikimedia Commons)

WASHINGTON — After a year increasingly dominated by bitter internal Jewish disputes over the Iran nuclear agreement, all of the major American Jewish synagogue movements will come together in common cause this weekend to observe what they describe as a “Special Sabbath of Solidarity” with Israel.

Rabbis and leaders from a number of Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and Reconstructionist movements joined with the umbrella organization Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations to organize the event, which they hope will be observed in Jewish congregations across the country.

http://www.timesofisrael.com/us-jewish-movements-come-together-in-support-of-israel/

[King_David]

1. Seven in 10 Americans Continue to View Israel Favorably

PRINCETON, N.J. -- Even as relations between the leaders of Israel and the United States reportedly deteriorate over disagreement about how to handle Iran's nuclear program, Israel has retained its broadly favorable image in the U.S. over the past year. Seventy percent of Americans now view that country favorably, and 62% say they sympathize more with the Israelis than the Palestinians in the Mideast conflict. By contrast, 17% currently view the Palestinian Authority favorably, and 16% sympathize more with the Palestinians.


http://www.gallup.com/poll/181652/seven-americans-continue-view-israel-favorably.aspx

[geek tragedy]

2. Fewer than half of Democrats side with Israel over Palestinians,

Democrats far less supportive of Israel than Republicans are:



In fact, you have to go back to 1988 to find a time when Democrats were more supportive of Israel than Republicans were.

This makes sense, as supporting Israel is a rightwing cause in the United States.

The jump in Republican support for Israel coincides perfectly with that party's lurch towards anti-Muslim bigotry.

[King_David]

3. Nonsense, things will return to normal Democratic Support post Nethenyahu

Democrats' support for Israel has also risen since 2000, but not quite as sharply as Republicans'. Additionally, the percentage of Democrats sympathizing with Israel fell 10 points this year to 48%, possibly reflecting the tension between Obama and Netanyahu.

[geek tragedy]

7. There is no indication that Netanyahu's successor will be an upgrade

The next PM could be more rightwing, or equally rightwing but less duplicitous.

Netanyahu wins for a reason.

[King_David]

4. -and

The percentage of Democrats viewing Israel favorably is also down, currently at 60%, vs. 74% a year ago. Positive views of the Palestinian Authority are fairly scarce, but no lower than they have been in recent years.

[geek tragedy]

5. Nobody likes the Palestinian Authority

Palestinians like the PA less than anyone else does

[King_David]

6. And you think the Majority of Americans and Demorats understand that subtlety?

Which leaders of the Palestinians do you think American Democrats have a more favorable view of, than was displayed in this poll?

Huh?

[geek tragedy]

8. The Palestinians have no praiseworthy leaders.

If anyone praiseworthy did rise up, they'd get shot by Fatah or Hamas.

[King_David]

9. Yes I agree

I don't think the average American or majority of Americans put all of that together like you have , when they express their support and opinions of one side or the other.

[oberliner]

10. Netanyahu has pissed off a lot of Democrats

And won over a number of Republicans.

Interestingly, the percentage of Democrats siding with Israel over the Palestinians is about 10 points higher today than it was in the 1990s and early 2000s.

It climbed from the mid 30's (in the 90s) to the high 40s/low 50s and has stayed at or around that level since 2006.

[geek tragedy]

11. 9/11 reduced public sympathy, across the board, for Muslims and Arabs

So, Israel has benefited from that as they are perceived as being more aligned with Team Jesus Christ moreso than Team Mohammed.