http://blogs.jta.org/ENTRY_PERMALINK_HERE/a-cleansing-battle-over-settlements/ J Street attacks The Israel Project for using the term “ethnic cleansing” when referring to the dismantling of settlements. In response, TIP’s leader defends her organization, and accuses J Street of spending more time attacking other Jewish groups than worrying about Palestinian infractions and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. en-us efingerhut@jta.org Copyright 2009 2009-07-09T;22:45:00-05:00 depapabear@yahoo.com John Q. is entitled to his perspectives, especially on target as to inappropriate terminology. However, it must be clearly understood that there is not a united position among Jews, neither here nor in Israel, and it is extremely questionable why the settlements are believed to be illegal, when enforcing the (unanimous) ruling of the League of Nations that the Mandate for Palestine authorized Jews to dwell in the whole of the Land of Israel.  Britain’s severing 77% of the Mandate for a Judenrein Arab state (Jordan) and present desires of remaining Palestinians does not make such a position either kosher or legal, nor do advisory opinions of the General Assembly and the World Court stand up either (as the American judge on the ICJ noted at the time of its ruling on the separation barrier). John Q. is entitled to his perspectives, especially on target as to inappropriate terminology. However, it must be clearly understood that there is not a united position among Jews, neither here nor in Israel, and it is extremely questionable why the settlements are believed to be illegal, when enforcing the (unanimous) ruling of the League of Nations that the Mandate for Palestine authorized Jews to dwell in the whole of the Land of Israel.  Britain’s severing 77% of the Mandate for a Judenrein Arab state (Jordan) and present desires of remaining Palestinians does not make such a position either kosher or legal, nor do advisory opinions of the General Assembly and the World Court stand up either (as the American judge on the ICJ noted at the time of its ruling on the separation barrier).

]]> 2009-11-20T;15:25:00-05:00 kerry.berger@gmail.com The statement, “"What happened in Gaza was ethnic cleansing,” said Mizrahi. “Every Jew left Gaza, including the dead Jews,” whose graves had to be moved, she noted.” is emotional and inappropriate.  The removal of Jewish settlements from Gaza was mandated as part of the peace process.  The settlements were illegal; consequently the use of the term ethnic cleansing is completely bogus, and only used to incite trouble rather than resolve problems.  On this one issue, I have to say J Street is correct.  I think it is apparent that Jewish groups must be sensitive to the appropriate use of language in public statements.  These kinds of arguments/disagreements should be conducted behind closed doors to develop a unified position on issues of importance to us. The statement, “"What happened in Gaza was ethnic cleansing,” said Mizrahi. “Every Jew left Gaza, including the dead Jews,” whose graves had to be moved, she noted.” is emotional and inappropriate.  The removal of Jewish settlements from Gaza was mandated as part of the peace process.  The settlements were illegal; consequently the use of the term ethnic cleansing is completely bogus, and only used to incite trouble rather than resolve problems.  On this one issue, I have to say J Street is correct.  I think it is apparent that Jewish groups must be sensitive to the appropriate use of language in public statements.  These kinds of arguments/disagreements should be conducted behind closed doors to develop a unified position on issues of importance to us.

]]> 2009-11-20T;15:25:00-05:00 hwhite@yahoo.com ‘How can I attack the Iranian nuclear threat,” easy strap on a bomb, sneak into the Iraqi facility and blow it up. That sentence is one of the most extreme examples of hubris I have ever read. ‘How can I attack the Iranian nuclear threat,” easy strap on a bomb, sneak into the Iraqi facility and blow it up. That sentence is one of the most extreme examples of hubris I have ever read.

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