If AIPAC ain’t broke… http://blogs.jta.org/ENTRY_PERMALINK_HERE/if-aipac-aint-broke/ A former Israeli deputy national security adviser slams J Street and praises AIPAC. en-us aeden@jta.org Copyright 2009 2009-10-13T;19:00:00-05:00 Comment by Kevin Kamberg oregonrainsticks@gmail.com 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. 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.

]]> 2012-02-10T;12:44:00-05:00 Comment by Kevin Kamberg oregonrainsticks@gmail.com 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. 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.

]]> 2012-02-10T;12:44:00-05:00 Comment by Myron J themyronus@yahoo.com 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. 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.

]]> 2012-02-10T;12:44:00-05:00 Comment by Alan Jay Weisbard alan.weisbard@gmail.com 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 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

]]> 2012-02-10T;12:44:00-05:00 Comment by David david.ehrens@gmail.com 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. 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.

]]> 2012-02-10T;12:44:00-05:00 Comment by Avram Schwartz avichsc@gmail.com 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? 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?

]]> 2012-02-10T;12:44:00-05:00