Conservative rabbis meeting in Jerusalem, divided on fence

[Gimel]

Conservative Movement rabbis are meeting this week in Jerusalem, bringing American and Israeli rabbis together to discuss religious and contemporary matters - but the most controversial issue seems to be the separation fence.

And it's the American rabbis who favor the fence while Conservative rabbis in Israel tend to oppose it, on the grounds that its route has done egregious harm to Palestinians in the fence's way.

The controversy has come fully to the fore because of a proposed draft by the World Halakhic Council, the supreme halakhic (religious law) body of the movement, that calls the fence "a legitimate tool for self defense" and claiming it would help "renew the negotiations for people and protect the Jewish and democratic character of the state of Israel."

The proposal's language argues that Palestinians are not acting against terror and the fence around Gaza has proved effective against suicide bombers.
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[ex_jew]

1. Very interesting !

So the rabbis in Israel see the suffering and speak out, while those here in the US see NO suffering (or they're tired of hearing about it).

I'm pleased that some people in Israel haven't completely lose hope of living in peace with their neighbors. How can we help to spread this message ?

[Jim Sagle]

2. Travel to the West Bank and spread the word?

:shrug:

[Blitz]

3. I second Jim's idea

If you let the locals know that you're an EX-Jew, I don't see how you'd have any problems at all.