Peter Beinart dispensed harsh criticism for Israel replete with phrases I have heard before from people who think they are pro-peace (“Beinart’s Blast,” Editorial, May 21). I agree that Jews in the U.S. face crucial challenges. Many of our young people no longer feel a connection to Israel and organized Jewish institutions.
However, this is not a time for public dissent in our midst. The greatest enemies of the Jewish people have often been ourselves. The documentary, “Against the Tide” (produced by the Wiesenthal Center), documents the struggle of fringe group of American Jews to rescue European Jewry while the establishment groups did little in deference to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
J Street is not a voice of constructive dissent. AIPAC is a bipartisan organization that lobbies our government for a close U.S.-Israel relationship. Congress becomes confused when J Street tells legislators not to listen to AIPAC, but to support Israel only if she listens to the current U.S. administration.
The book, “The Oslo Syndrome” explains how after thousands of years of persecution, some Jews have “identified with their aggressors” and accept as truth the many unfair indictments against them. We can create connections to Israel and our traditions by studying our history, getting involved in Jewish organizations and by encouraging enrollment in: “jerusalemonlineuniversity.com, Israel Inside and Out.”
Zionism has always embraced liberals and conservatives in both the U.S. and in Israel. We should learn from our history and support each other, together with non-Jews who support Israel — a light unto the nations in the midst of a bad neighborhood, full of tyranny and persecution.
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