Rosenberg on Goldberg
In his latest column, M.J. Rosenberg of the Israel Policy Forum mischaracterizes The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg on the threat posed to Diaspora Jews by a potential Israeli strike on Iran.
In an Aug. 11 blogpost, Goldberg writes of the retaliatory terrorist attacks American Jews should expect – "blowback" – if Israel strikes Iran:
The leaders of American Jewish organizations are generally hesitant to bring up the subject of Diaspora blowback when they talk to Israeli officials, and not without justifiable reason: Israel is a sovereign state, and makes decisions based on the needs of its national security. And Israeli officials bridle at the thought of Diaspora Jews telling them what to do. They also bridle at the idea that the existence of Israel actually endangers Jews in the Diaspora, rather than strengthens them. I would never argue that Israel hasn't strengthened, in particular, the American Jewish community, giving it both backbone and meaning. And I wouldn't argue that Israel should refrain from acting as a rescuer of persecuted Jews worldwide simply because it blurs the line between the interests of the Diaspora and the interests of the Jewish state.
Here's how Rosenberg interprets Goldberg:
Goldberg writes that the reason we don't hear much about this issue of "blowback" is that just raising it challenges the fundamental premise underlying Zionism. The existence of the state of Israel supposedly makes Jews in the Diaspora safer. If, on the other hand, actions taken by Israel jeopardize Jews outside of Israel then the Zionist concept looks flawed.
Rosenberg then goes to explain why an Israeli strike on Iran would be a terrible idea.
That may be the case, but Rosenberg misconstrues Goldberg, who speaks not at all about Zionism or flaws in the Zionist concept.
If this whole exercise in parsing blogposts with Talmudic scrutiny seems a bit pedantic to you, well then you're right on target.
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Why does Rosenberg seem so intent on twisting statements to generate false arguments about “Zionist” intentions? Does he ever stand up for Israel, or is the Jewish state always in the wrong?
The simple fact is that Israel, flaws and all, has transformed the Diaspora and how Jews stand in the world.
Rosenberg’s and Goldberg’s thoughts on the effect of ‘blowback’ may or may not be realistic. The only reality is that Iran, when they are ready, will use nuclear weapons on Israel. in order to obliterate the Jews there. This must not be allowed to happen. If the only way to stop this atomic holocaust is to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, then this must take place, in order for Israel to survive. We, as Jews in the diaspora, will have to pay the price of ‘blowback’ in order for Israel to survive.
Only criminal entities would hold Israel to ransom by threatening revenge on diaspora Jews. To urge a sovereign Israel to stay its hand to safeguard its kinsfolk is making it yield to threats which will only get worse and at the same time not only relieve diaspora states of responsibilites toward its Jewish citizens but make them regard Jews as second rate citizens who are a threat to the polity. The criminal entities must be compelled, on pain of death if need be, to adopt the civilised standards they demand of us, but towards which they have long record of showing contempt. Hitler destroyed the ghettos. Cowardice will destroy not only Israel, but the West.
Zionism has already normalized the Jewish situation in the world. The problem here is Islamic perfectionism and defensiveness about their recent lack in civilizational performance. Zionism only gives Jewry the ability of defending ourselves. We cannot help it if Islamofascists see the vindication of their frustrations in our destruction, we just have to prevent it. The idea that Zionist success would actually eliminate antisemitism (grounded in the logic of Pinsker’s auto-emancipation amongst other Zionist ideologues) was wrong headed from the beginning. Now that we have a state we will have to continually defend it from its enemies. This includes both diplomacy and military means. A state is not only not given on a sliver platter, but it has to be re-earned in every generation.
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Linda Estrin
08/25/08 05:38 PM
Oh Please! Back to the Ghetto mentality! If your threatened fight back!! You bring nothing but danger to Jews world wide delineating blatant cowardice !! Israel needs to defend itself now and Jews worldwide need to demonstrate courage for once!!! Otherwise the anti-semitism goes on & on to God knows what!! Wake Up!!