‘American Jewish voices are most critical in the world’ (to end idea that Jewish lives matter more)

[ellenrr]

Jewish Voice for Peace sent out the email below today, from Eran Efrati. The headline was: “I’m asking you as an Israeli–we need you to tell Israeli leaders you won’t accept racism, you won’t accept human rights violations, you won’t accept occupation and the killing of civilians.”

The email links to a JVP letter that the organization plans to publish in Haaretz and the Forward. That letter opens with this statement:

We Must Face the Root Cause of this Crisis.
Our unshakeable commitment to freedom and justice compels us to acknowledge that the crisis in Israel and Palestine is rooted in the idea that Jewish lives matter more than Palestinian lives.

http://mondoweiss.net/2014/07/american-jewish-critical.html

[randys1]

1. Sure seems that what the Israeli govt is doing is wrong...

I rarely enter this issue because of the complicated history and I think sometimes we as Americans are so poorly informed that judgmental comments are not helpful

I dont judge either side unless one side kills civilians for seemingly no reason, seems both sides are and have done this and because the Israeli govt is so well armed with modern military that they are doing way more of it

Has to stop, but I wont be surprised if it not only doesnt stop but gets much worse...and may begin a world wide conflict of sorts

[Jefferson23]

2. From Rabbis for Human Rights, on this very subject:

On Belonging, Privilege and Racism: Reflections from Rabbi Avi Novis-Deutsch

10 July 2014

RHR member Rabbi Avi Novis-Deutsch meditates on the events of these last few weeks, and the dangers and privilege found sometimes lurking within the concept “belonging.”

This week I would like to write about the moving Kabbalat Shabbat prayers in Ein Yaacov, and why I hope there will be such Israeli communal Kabbalat Shabbat services in Kfar Vradim and other communities in the area as well.

I think the moment of ushering in the Sabbath, of desisting from the week’s work, is a spiritually significant moment, a time to examine and assess who we are and what drives us.


Unfortunately our agenda is full of hatred. A racial hatred that makes people willing to hurt others only because they belong to a group different from themselves. It matters not to them whether it is a 15-year-old boy, 16, 19 or nine years old, or a young woman just setting out in her career.

Racial murder is a an unfathomable phenomenon to me. I can’t understand how people who were not personally wronged can kill someone else who did nothing wrong to anyone only because he belongs to a different group from them. This issue places a question mark on our need to strengthen group identities, to encourage people to be part of a people, a nation, a community, a religion and so forth.

http://rhr.org.il/eng/2014/07/on-belonging-privilege-and-racism-reflections-from-rabbi-avi-novis-deutsch/

[ellenrr]

3. this is a bold statement.

it's important for the public to know that Jews are not monolithic on this--

in fact these days there are more critical opinions expressed by Jews than used to be.
When I go to a demo I carry a sign that says something along the lines of " A Jew for Justice in Palestine" or something like that.
Bec. it is not an Arab vs Jewish thing.
It is a right - wrong thing.

[Jefferson23]

4. Exactly. n/t