Jerome Whitson http://www.jta.org/user/profile/68316 en-us zsilberman@washingtonjewishweek.com Copyright 2012 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Who needs Chesea? She acts like a JAP but that doesn't make her a good candidate to be a JEW. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I agree with Alan. I fail to see how Beinart and his ilk are doing anything productive. So much of American Jewish Liberalism is focused on non-Jewish issues. And I'm a liberal and tend to agree with them, except that to say the "right" thing to do is the "Jewish" thing to do is meaningless and totally subjective. More importantly, it leads to judging Israel for reasons not core to the reason for its existence, and its role in the Jewish community. It also allows if not encourages arrogance, such as calling supporters of Israel the 'Israel can do no wrong" faction. I'm not surprised that younger Jews dont feel close to Israel, considering 20 years of demonisation, belittlement and double standard criticism from Beinart and co. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Good joke. Better than some other things Jones has said. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 OK it isn't a "bris," but the kid is now all set if he later wants to convert. Not only that, it's a nice counterpoint to the anti-circumcision movement. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 If it doesn't co-star either Owen Wilson or Will Ferrell, how good could it be? 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Chemerinsky is not a reliable source. Consider this: As a lawyer, he recently sued the Caterpillar Co. seeking to hold them liable for merely selling bulldozers to Israel! The legal theory was that Caterpillar "knew" the bulldozers were being used to "illegally" demolish homes of Palestinians, etc., so should have to pay. Ultimately, the case was dismissed by the Ninth Circuit on the grounds that it would be interfering with foreign policy. I like Namir Yaarot's idea of having him debate Dershowitz. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 The charge of "collective punishment" is unsupported. If it were true, then the Arab world's treat of Israel can only be called "collective punishment." To wit: random but unceasing rocket attacks, suicide/homicide bombers, incitement and demonization of Israel in the Palestinian Authority, and also in Saudi Arabia and even in Egypt, despite the "peace" treaty of 30+ years ago. This punishment extends to sports competitions, business and trade boycotts, etc.. The idea that Israel is simply "stealing" land is also untrue in the main. First of all, it is less than clear whose land it was originally. Jerusalem, for example, is nowhere mentioned in the Koran, but now is touted as a Palestinian "holy" site. Moreover, as noted in the rebuttal, the 5% of the "West Bank" settled by Israel has not much grown in size. Land swaps have been offered. Israel cannot agree to the 1948 armistice line as a permanent border, for security reasons. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 "the more prized the woman is by other men, the more validation these [powerful] men feel...." Huh??? Tiger had a knockout wife who was desired by other men, but he turned to mediocre ladies; in looks, brains and accomplishment. Shmuley's string of cliches about the insecurity of powerful men is lame. What's next, the similarities of Tiger and Michael Jackson? This guy's 15 minutes are up when? 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I don't understand this situation. If her daughter was openly raising a Jewish daughter, heading towards a Bat Mitzvah, wasn't that kind of a tip off? Did Denise's daughter "convert"? 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Mr. Roberts makes very good points. It is embarrassing to see Stewart go from embracing his Jewish identity to mocking it. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 These liars got some pretty big dough from NIF -UK. Amazing! 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Maybe so. I'd rather he sent a non-Jew as his representative. He should demonstrate that support for Israel is a US policy and priority, not just the small cabal of powerful Jews, like Elder of Zion Rahmbo.......oh wait, I was thinking of the UN. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Jason H., Hard to tell if you are serious. There is no basis for your assertion that the "Israeli mind" doesn't want peace, and plenty of evidence to the contrary. As for the "ultra-nationalists," the worst they have proposed is to transfer the Arabs out of Israel; hardly invoking a "final solution." Does it not bother you that no Arab country will allow any sizable number of Jews to reside there, and managed to kick out hundreds of thousands of Jews over the last 60 years? Also, if Israel was so powerful, and such an aggressor, then why does it still endure rocket attacks, boycotts, a formal state of war from so many of its neighbors, etc. It isn't the "occupation," since this has been the state of affairs since, well, forever. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 To Walid Maaytah: What "better terms" could you possibly mean? Both Hamas and Fatah continue to say they are committed to the destruction of Israel, no matter the borders. The PLO was started BEFORE the 1967 war. The most Israel could get now is a truce, while Hamas and the PA build up their forces, continue the indoctrination of the youth, and do their part to maintain mediocre conditions. And what "horriffc" conditions? True, some parts of Gaza are in poor shape, but some areas, and some people there are doing quite well. There is no mass starvation, no mass dying, just inflammatory rhetoric about "ethnic cleansing" and "genocide." And it's just inaccurate to blame Israel for anything and everything that's gone wrong? What about Hamas' violent coup in Gaza? What about its repression of free speech? Its refusal to build any kind of economy? When Israel left Gaza, it left behind a beautiful greenhouse. Hamas destroyed it. So blaming Israel and mischaracterizing the government as "extremists" is no path to peace. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Too bad Baltzer hasn't used her brain power to learn some of the actual history of the region, the division of the area's land by the British, the promise of a Jewish homeland much much larger than the State of Israel, etc. Not to mention the fact that most of the problems of the Palestinians are self-inflicted: failure to build an infrastructure during times of peace, misuse of massive aid monies, 10 children per family, focus on incitement and hatred instead of nation-building. As far as "disproportionate concern" by American citizens about what's happening with US weapons and money, why is she ignoring Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, which receive money and/or weapons, not to mention various other countries around the globe? Those and other Arab countries routinely oppress the Palestinians, even worse than their own citizens. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 The comments about the history of Arab rejectionism are well taken. As for Alice Walker, why doesn't she notice the oppression of Blacks by the Nation Of Islam, including in her back yard? For example, in Oakland (next door to Berkeley) a (Black) journalist was shot dead in broad daylight for writing about the "Your Black Muslim Bakery" and related criminal endeavors by the Nation of Islam. I guess she'd rather go to Lerner's soiree and lecture Jews on defending themselves. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Hamas booby-trapped houses and took a number of combatant measures in Gaza. This of course is in addition to firing rockets at civilians in Israel. That's a war. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Rep. Cohen is a classic old style white Jewish baby boomer, who has done a great job of representing his district. In 2008, he faced opposition not only based on race, but on gender. EMILY's List gave money to his race-baiting opponent because of her gender. The current campaign by the ex-Mayor is based on the idea that 60% of the district is Black, so only a Black person can provide representation. But with that logic, what about the 40% of his district that is NOT Black? Don't they deserve representation? 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Yeah, Gaza is a concentration camp, all right. Sounds just like the spa in Auschwitz. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Hey Sid, Maybe some people overstate "antisemitism" but that doesn't mean it has disappeared. In this instance (TIFF) it clearly is a huge factor in the very selective and overwrought protests against Israel saying anything good about itself. Moreover, the "apartheid" label is objectively nowhere near accurate, so I question the motives of anyone hurling that accusation, whether they are Jewish in name only or even in their hearts. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 good. But of course the Red Cross should have taken the initiative and regularly and publicly called out for visits with Shalit. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Oh come on. The Toronto Palestine Film Festival is coming up this year. Any letters going to single out "Palestine" for "branding" and "diverting attention" from Hamas' repressive regime in Gaza? For the Iranian-backed rocket attacks on civilians in Israel? Good article. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Only one side? A society that refuses to rehabilitate itself? What about the Toronto Palestinian Film Festival? 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Why is it an "AIPAC" position to want Israel to survive? When someone refers to "occupation" as beginning in 1948, they are rejecting the United Nations resolutions creating the State of Israel, along with the history of the Jewish homeland. As to the settlements, while I am not a fan of them, why are they such an obstacle? Why couldn't the Jewish residents of land in the "West Bank" continue to live there under a peaceful Palestinian state? Millions of Arabs live within the 1948 "borders." Why is assumed that a Palestinian state would have to be "Jew-free?" Is it because the other Arab states have systematically expelled virtually all the Jewish residents, some living for generations? And why no talk of a "right of return" to Iran, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, etc. for the Jews? 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Well, name-calling is rarely productive, and doesn't enhance the message. But I'm not going to waste time responding to accusations about the "Zionist state" and some tasteless t-shirts. Aside from all the recriminations about style, the point made by Cheryl that the world obsesses over a housing development only in Israel is a valid one. Obama, who I supported (and still like, generally) refers to Israel's responsibilities under the "road map" but says nothing about all the Arab/Palestinian violations, the continued incitement and ostracizing of Israel, etc. The Arabs have even refused to agree to tiny steps like trade offices and overflights. These and much more (like say diplomatic relations and a peace treaty) are exchanged with murderous regimes across the globe, regardless of what they do to others, each other and even to Muslims. But Israel can never be good enough. Let's have some perspective. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Good article. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 The "Palestinians" are not "indigenous." Indeed, in 1948, "Palestine" turned into Israel and the "West Bank" became part of Jordan. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Mr. Winter gets it. When they can't say "occupation" they now say "contested" because of the so-called apartheid regime of Israel. By that logic, an awful lot of the world would be "contested." The list is a bit scary, in terms of the popularity of some of the signatories. Also, the apparent ignorance and grandstanding of people like Eve Ensler and Jane Fonda is disturbing. I guess feminism, to some, means excoriating one of the world's best nations for equal opportunity for women. Sad stuff. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Israel should make progress on this, as the Vatican (rightly or wrongly) has a lot of clout and prestige in the intl community. Moreover, considering how Hamas and friends treat Christians in the middle east, there is some motivation for the Vatican to support Israel. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 What is the UN doing there, again? After how many years they found some rockets. Have they removed any weapons caches, moderated Hezbollah's blatant violations of the cease-fire and UN resolution terms? 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 The "compassionate" release looks like an oil-linked deal. The press reports I've read have the Libyans saying that they made the release an explicit part of the negotiations with Great Britain over oil. The Scots would have looked better if they admitted it. And yes, he shouldn't be allowed in the US. But since the UN is in New York, many pirates, thieves and murderers come over. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Gee, "Mussa" let's compare the Israeli justice system's treatment of Arabs, who have at least some recourse and win some cases, to the ....oh yeah, there is NO Arab justice system that would EVER protect a Jew is Gaza, "West Bank/Jordan", Saudi Arabia, Egypt, etc. In fact, many of those countries don't even protect their own citizens who might not want to wear a certain style of clothing, espouse a certain political belief, etc. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 BTW, "Mussa" made the "Madoff with a kipa" comment on the story (today's JTA) about the Weisenthal Center protesting Iran naming as a defense minister, a suspect in the bombing of the Jewish Center in Argentina. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It was good that Venus Williams spoke up. Andy Roddick did even better, by refusing to play. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Naomi Klein is a real disappointment. In the latest Harper's she write a slanted article that, among other things, stirs the inapt "apartheid" imagery. Moreover, she blurs the distinction between the West Bank and Israel proper. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Let's see, the story is about the subject of an Interpol warrant, wanted by the nation of Argentina (which has not been especially active in investigating the bombing/murders) but "Mussa" ignores all that and makes a crude attack on Rabbi Hier. The story is that Iran is making this guy a cabinet member. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I think this kind of letter is important, and I'm disappointed with Al Franken and Dianne Feinstein. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Someone should tell Rush that the Nazis hardly hated big business. They effectively teamed up with German, European and even some American companies to implement the Nazi goals. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Axelrod I am less familiar with, but Rahm seems to be pretty tied to Judaism and to Israel. You can criticize his wife's conversion, but she converted, and the kids are being raised Jewish. That's hardly a position of disinterest towards antisemitism. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Obama needs to demand that UN member states recognize Israel, a UN member state. Israel shouldn't have to satisfy anyone's demands as a precondition; no other UN state has done so. If Sudan, China, Saudi Arabia and other totalitarian regimes are recognized, why not Israel? Obama's half-hearted steps in this direction are good, but since half-hearted, are also troubling. As for those who constantly complain about the "billions" going to Israel, please state whether you also complain about the US billions going to Arab countries, like Egypt (direct aid) and the oil plutocracies (by acceding to the monopoly and price-fixing). The truth is that the US gets plenty for its aid/loan guarantees, by way of security for US global interests, a Western presence in the middle east, etc. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Mr. Blaz makes very good points. I could not have said it better. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Abbas is doing very little, in fact to stop indoctrination and incitement. Fatah/PA still says it doesn't recognize Israel (and then says it does). Palestinian TV, schools, etc. still glorify "martyrdom." J Street (sure, you are the "center") doesn't want to deal with this. On the other hand, I think Netanyahu is mis playing the settlements issue. While it isn't a real stumbling block (land will be traded) it has become a rallying cry, now echoed by Obama. He needs to both explain more and build less. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 It's too bad Sec. of State Clinton/Pres. Obama didn't call for a freeze on rockets fire, incitement, suicide/homicide bombers. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Trudeau is way out of line. The Sunday strip on the Bible can only be considered purposefully misleading about the Jewish religion and the "old" and "new" testaments. It isn't even funny, and it isn't timely, except to link the current bank and economy problems to the "moneylenders" (not the bankers, notice.) I have read Doonesbury since the beginning. Trudeau has never been very good to the Jews. The only regular Jewish character, who wasn't always identified very clearly as Jewish, was "Megaphone" Mark Slackmeyer, a rich, obnoxious loudmouth kid. And when Trudeau needed a gay character, who did he "convert?" Yep, Slackmeyer, who somehow only discovered he was gay at what, age 55? While Trudeau is gay-friendly, I still think it is interesting he has kept all the other major characters straight. (Zonker Harris has never been interested in women, but he stays straight.) Trudeau has been much kinder to WASPs, and in more recent times even to Blacks, with African-Americans in the military, athletics, etc. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Sure, AIPAC rules the USA and two Jewish reps somehow withstand the heat. Give me a break. When will Obama demand the immediate end to Arab/Palestinian terror, indoctrination and incitement? Not just another "promise"? How about demanding that the Arab states recognize Israel? So far, all but two remain in a state of war. Why should they have to "get" something to normalize relations? What did they "get" from all the other countries they have recognized? Dubai even blocked an Israeli tennis player from entering. The ongoing demonization of Israel is shameful, but to some, it is only Israel's shortcomings that matter. Israel needs a friend and Obama should remember that America does too. Only Israel has been a true friend of America. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 What a good idea! The Red Cross should be active on this. BTW, Was Jimmy Carter at the rally? Didn't he say he was working on this issue when he visited Gaza and Israel last year? 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 In Gaza, Hamas continues in killing Christians. The latest is a Christian bible store owner. Allah strikes again. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQWfC5 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 "Rabbi" (if indeed you are one) you are entirely misguided in your remarks. What is both inane and insane is that in a Jewish site, you seem to think the problem is language about sexual preference/orientation, rather than more outright hate speech against the State of Israel. The "apartheid" lies and the "occupation" lies are given credence by people who claim a special sensitivity due to their status as sexual minorities. LGBT people have some minimal obligation to investigate the facts, which are clear: there are rights for LGBT people in only one middle eastern country, including the "occupied" West Bank. There used to be such rights in the "occupied" Gaza strip, but big bad Israel left and now Sharia "law" controls. Try having a "pride" parade in Gaza. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I either don't understand your comment or don't understand the article. I thought the photo was of the Jewish victim, and that was considered an invasion of the the privacy of his family. It seemed like some attempt, anyway, to give a little dignity to this poor guy who was kidnapped, beaten to death and left naked. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 Great appointment. He certainly will have lots to do. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00 I agree that these "petty criminal" terrorists are a problem, but I'd feel better if I knew that the organized jihadists were being foiled. Maybe there are reasons we don't hear much about that. As to the "moderate" Muslims. I do think many Muslims are non-political, but sadly that's about as good as it gets. As noted by others, there is no sustained criticism of terror against the West or the promulgation of antisemitism. 2012-02-09T;22:54:00-05:00