If AIPAC ain’t broke…
The Israeli barrage (here and here) against J Street continues, with a piece from Chuck Freilich, a former Israeli deputy national security adviser:
It is presumptuous of our brethren in the US, and frankly offensive, for them to believe that they "know better" what is right for Israel. The Jewish state is a vibrant, pluralistic democracy. Only Israel's citizens, who endure the consequences, bear the responsibility for its policies. The place to change Israel's policies is in Israel, not Washington. A corollary of sovereignty is the right to err. We waited for that right for 2,000 years.
J Street's stated position, that it "supports political solutions over military ones" regarding the Palestinians and "strongly opposes the use of force by Israel or the US" against Iran, is the height of presumption and chutzpa. So was its position earlier this year, during the Gaza operation, when it opined that "escalation will prove counterproductive" and called for an immediate cease-fire.
Freilich insists that he isn't saying criticism of Israeli policy is off limits for Diaspora Jews, just that they shouldn't take their fight to Congress and the White House:
Those Jewish Americans, who share a deep concern for Israel's trials and travails, have the right, even the duty, to express their criticism within the Jewish community, the public at large, pretty much anywhere -- except before the administration and Congress. There, we have to present one voice -- not "pro" every Israeli policy, but united, unswerving support for Israel and a strong US-Israel relationship.
He concludes with a defense of AIPAC:
AIPAC may have made mistakes over the years - who hasn't? But there is a wise, old American saying: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." AIPAC is definitely not broken, and for those who take issue with some of its positions and actions, the appropriate recourse is to work for change from within.
To date, despite the plethora of Jewish organizations in all other areas, the US-Israeli relationship has largely had one voice in Washington. This is as it must be. AIPAC has a devoted, sophisticated, often brilliant professional staff and lay leadership. It simply does not get better.
For those seeking new and different relationships, get on JDate.
9 Comments
Share This
Comments RSS Feed Reader Comments
So what Freilich seems to be saying is that only American Jewish political groups who represent Israeli interests—and not American ones—should be heard. The fact that JStreet exists demonstrates that Freilich’s other theory—that AIPAC “ain’t broke”—is wrong too.
It’s time for American Jewish political organizations to represent American Jewish political interests—not Israel’s.
Cheryl, let me compliment you on a thoughtful, well composed post. I don’t agree with some of your critical points--for example, I fear that Jewish lives are today more at risk in Israel than in North America, and I would note that it took generations, not years, for favorable conditions in Muslim Spain to deteriorate, under both islamic and Christian regimes. But this approach is both nuanced and conducive to intelligent discussion and debate conducted in a civil fashion. Thank you.
--The Wise Bard
I enjoy a lively discussion and diverse opinions (and my step-daughters really give it to me at the shabbat table) but is it just me or is J-Street on crack??? And you in the US of A have literally a president who was born yesterday who must make you feel as if you have fallen through the hole after the white rabbit...so my question is: can you really have an intelligent discussion when one of you is out of touch with reality? Would someone from JStreet please respect the Arab enough to actually hear what he is saying about Israel and America; then show me where there is room for discussion.
If, as Freilich asserts, it is presumptuous of American Jews “to believe that they ‘know better’ what is right for Israel” then by that very same logic it is presumptuous of Freilich and Israeli Jews to believe they ‘know better’ how American citizens ought to handle our civic responsibilities as American citizens.
Yet there is Freilich presuming to tell American Jews what our duty is as American citizens.
We don’t exist to rubberstamp AIPAC or whatever government happens to be in control of Israel at any given point in time. We are Jews, but we are also citizens of the United States and most of us take our citizenship very, very seriously.
We do not owe our first allegiance to the government of Israel and it is the height of presumptuous arrogance for Freilich to suggest otherwise.
Cheryl, perhaps you missed the following Freilich quote in the article:
“Those Jewish Americans, who share a deep concern for Israel’s trials and travails, have the right, even the duty, to express their criticism within the Jewish community, the public at large, pretty much anywhere—except before the administration and Congress.”
Freilich’s own words clearly show that he is presuming to tell American Jews how to conduct our business in America. He is in effect saying that our first allegiance as American citizens is to “present one voice” to our own elected leaders viz Israel. That is both presumptuous and exceptionally arrogant given his criticism of American Jews voicing criticism of HIS elected government.
Leave a Comment
To comment on this article, you must first be registered with JTA.
Not Registered?
There are real advantages to a FREE registration with JTA.org:
- Make your voice heard through comments on articles
- Receive our e-mailed Daily Briefing, an invaluable quick-read
- Help decide what Jewish news matters most with interactive tools
Register Now
Already a JTA member?
Avram Schwartz
10/13/09 12:38 PM
While I agree with Mr. Freilich’s general distaste for J Street, I have to ask what the difference is between “being ‘pro’ every Israel policy” and “unswerving support for Israel” in Washington?