OU: Where’s the outcry on Abbas
The Orthodox Union's blog is criticizing what it calls the "pro-peace process Jewish left" for its failure to react to Mahmoud Abbas's comments that he has "nothing" to do except wait:
These statements by Abbas and his people, brazenly acknowledging they have little interest in the peace process (and also saying they couldn't accept the incredible concessions offered a few months ago by previous Prime Minister Olmert) was so at odds with devotees to the peace process and the view that any problems it suffers must be the fault of Israel, that on Saturday the New York Times criticized Abbas for his statement of "depressing passivity" and called upon him to do more.
But where is the dismay of the "pro-peace-process" Jewish left? Oh. they were quick last week to applaud Secretary of State Hilary Clinton for pressing Israel for a settlement freeze, and calling upon Congressman Eric Cantor to explain why he was more supportive of Israel of late than other members of congress.
But they haven't said a word about Abbas' transparent treachery.
Does the Jewish left only exist to blame Israel?
We asked J Street executive director Jeremy Ben-Ami (who is pro-peace process but argues he's not left, he's actually in the Jewish center) what he thought of Abbas' comments, and he felt that they were being misinterpreted.
Abbas believes the Palestinians are "fulfilling their commitments," such as beefing up security, and "now it is the turn of the Israelis," said Ben-Ami, who along with representatives of other non-profit groups and think tankers met with the Palestinian leader when he was here last week. "He wasn't saying we don't have to do anythying. He was saying they are doing what they are supposed to do."
Share
3 Comments
Comments RSS Feed Reader Comments
An Olmert offer? What Olmert offer? All Olmert’s government did was to approve more construction in the occupied areas. The last commenter is correct however about Abbas and the Palestinians. They still have to accept that they will be living with a Jewish State and stop the teaching of hatred in their schools before a real peace will take hold. What Abbas calls security efforts are real, but also have the dual purpose of getting his fivals from hamas off the streets. Its like the security fence. Yes, it reduces terror attacks but also helps grab land for the settlers. In sum, no one has really honored past treaties and everyone still claims to somehow be a victim. Perhpas Obama will break the cycle with support from the US Jewish left. Or maybe not. But its worth a try.
Abbas is doing very little, in fact to stop indoctrination and incitement. Fatah/PA still says it doesn’t recognize Israel (and then says it does). Palestinian TV, schools, etc. still glorify “martyrdom.” J Street (sure, you are the “center") doesn’t want to deal with this.
On the other hand, I think Netanyahu is mis playing the settlements issue. While it isn’t a real stumbling block (land will be traded) it has become a rallying cry, now echoed by Obama. He needs to both explain more and build less.
Leave a Comment
To leave a comment, you must first be logged in to JTA. If you are not registered, please click here.
Already a JTA member?
Need to know? Get JTA's free e-newsletters!
Myron J
06/02/09 03:59 PM
Again I am at a loss to understand the radicle Left’s, like J Street, deafness and blindness to Arab statements and Arab writings. What would happen if this same Left actually respected the Arab and believed what the Arab writes in their newspapers and teaches in their schools and preaches in their Mosques?