J Street plans to poll American Jews on Israel
By Diane V. McLoughlin March 05, '09
J Street is taking the initiative by requesting donations to pay for a poll of the American Jewish community. J Street
wants to get a clearer picture of American Jewish opinion regarding Israel and prescriptions for Middle East peace.
This is a very good idea. Too many private associations and organizations purport to know the minds of American
Jews while claiming to speak for them.
Independent organizations such as J Street are working hard trying to leaven the debate. J Street seeks to
support 'strong American leadership to end the Arab-Israeli and Palestinian-Israeli conflicts peacefully and
diplomatically...'.
But it is an endlessly frustrating fact that life is unforgiving on this point: Good intentions will not be realized if we
choose wrong paths to reach a goal.
There are worrying aspects to a two-state solution. For some, support for the two-state solution means support for
nation-building based on the preferred status of a particular race.
If J Street wants to know what is the low-down on Israel on the American Jewish street, their poll would have to
include whether or not homies supported a secular, democratic, one-state solution with equal rights for all its
citizens regardless of race, religion or anything else.
Does J Street intend to include this choice in their planned poll? I hope so.
Some argue that Israel is already one state with two peoples: one with preferred status, the other discriminated
against and oppressed both in Israel proper, in the occupied West Bank, and in the concentration camp otherwise
known as Gaza.
In order to protect the Jewish character of Israel, some extremists openly tout forced 'transfer' [ethnic cleansing] of
Arab-Israeli citizens. Perhaps they will look back in time to when the SS evicted Poles to provide homes for their
preferred race - Germans: Allowed to carry no more than $200.00, one suitcase, one change of underwear; tidy
your house, do the dishes and make sure the keys to the house are left in the doorknobs or hanging in the kitchen
cupboard before you leave so as not to inconvenience the new residents of what was formerly your home. (See,
for example, mid-chapter Three, German Methods; from, 'German Invasion of Poland WWII, The German New
Order in Poland, Part Two; The Polish Ministry of Information, Hutchinson & Co., London, 1941.)
Twenty-three percent of Israel's citizens are Arab. The discrimination these Israeli citizens suffer is bad. I fear that
the continued push for two states does not quell but rather feeds racism in Israeli society; a two-state political
philosophy suggests that two peoples should not or cannot live together under a one-state roof. I believe I am in
good company in this regard.
Gandhi was against dividing the geographic area known as Pakistan and India today for the same reasons:
"My whole soul rebels against the idea that Hinduism and Islam represent two antagonistic cultures and doctrines.
To assent to such a doctrine is for me a denial of God."
It would be entirely unfair to suggest that the hatred is all one-sided. There is plenty of recriminations and hatred
and fear to go around. However, I am concerned that the two-state solution reinforces rather than diminishes the
worst in humanity rather than bringing out the best. Rather than resolving resentments and tensions it reinforces
beliefs of racial superiority, or that there are qualitative differences between peoples; or, that it is undesirable or
not even remotely possible for different peoples to peacefully coexist.
While many feel that American society - including the Jewish community - has not had enough exposure to either
the facts of the situation or to a broad enough range of opinion in American media on the subject (far less than in
Israel itself), still, a poll of their views is the best place to start if J Street wishes to ensure that they represent the
majority view.
Even if some are not happy with the answers, a solid representative poll that is constructed with a genuine will to
ascertain what the people think would provide a basis from which to begin meaningful discussion and debate. And
that is what it is all about.
Put it to the street, J Street. Let the street, the people, be heard.
Next, we need to poll the American People. 2.77 billion annually from American taxpayers in military hardware and
financial support to Israel means we paid for the bombs that caused billions in damage along with the destruction
of human life in Gaza. American taxpayers pay through the nose. They pay, they should have a say on whether
this is the best use of American taxes, or if they have other ideas.
Amazon.com: Recommended movies and books
please support The McLoughlin Post
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By Diane V. McLoughlin March 05, '09
J Street is taking the initiative by requesting donations to pay for a poll of the American Jewish community. J Street
wants to get a clearer picture of American Jewish opinion regarding Israel and prescriptions for Middle East peace.
This is a very good idea. Too many private associations and organizations purport to know the minds of American
Jews while claiming to speak for them.
Independent organizations such as J Street are working hard trying to leaven the debate. J Street seeks to
support 'strong American leadership to end the Arab-Israeli and Palestinian-Israeli conflicts peacefully and
diplomatically...'.
But it is an endlessly frustrating fact that life is unforgiving on this point: Good intentions will not be realized if we
choose wrong paths to reach a goal.
There are worrying aspects to a two-state solution. For some, support for the two-state solution means support for
nation-building based on the preferred status of a particular race.
If J Street wants to know what is the low-down on Israel on the American Jewish street, their poll would have to
include whether or not homies supported a secular, democratic, one-state solution with equal rights for all its
citizens regardless of race, religion or anything else.
Does J Street intend to include this choice in their planned poll? I hope so.
Some argue that Israel is already one state with two peoples: one with preferred status, the other discriminated
against and oppressed both in Israel proper, in the occupied West Bank, and in the concentration camp otherwise
known as Gaza.
In order to protect the Jewish character of Israel, some extremists openly tout forced 'transfer' [ethnic cleansing] of
Arab-Israeli citizens. Perhaps they will look back in time to when the SS evicted Poles to provide homes for their
preferred race - Germans: Allowed to carry no more than $200.00, one suitcase, one change of underwear; tidy
your house, do the dishes and make sure the keys to the house are left in the doorknobs or hanging in the kitchen
cupboard before you leave so as not to inconvenience the new residents of what was formerly your home. (See,
for example, mid-chapter Three, German Methods; from, 'German Invasion of Poland WWII, The German New
Order in Poland, Part Two; The Polish Ministry of Information, Hutchinson & Co., London, 1941.)
Twenty-three percent of Israel's citizens are Arab. The discrimination these Israeli citizens suffer is bad. I fear that
the continued push for two states does not quell but rather feeds racism in Israeli society; a two-state political
philosophy suggests that two peoples should not or cannot live together under a one-state roof. I believe I am in
good company in this regard.
Gandhi was against dividing the geographic area known as Pakistan and India today for the same reasons:
"My whole soul rebels against the idea that Hinduism and Islam represent two antagonistic cultures and doctrines.
To assent to such a doctrine is for me a denial of God."
It would be entirely unfair to suggest that the hatred is all one-sided. There is plenty of recriminations and hatred
and fear to go around. However, I am concerned that the two-state solution reinforces rather than diminishes the
worst in humanity rather than bringing out the best. Rather than resolving resentments and tensions it reinforces
beliefs of racial superiority, or that there are qualitative differences between peoples; or, that it is undesirable or
not even remotely possible for different peoples to peacefully coexist.
While many feel that American society - including the Jewish community - has not had enough exposure to either
the facts of the situation or to a broad enough range of opinion in American media on the subject (far less than in
Israel itself), still, a poll of their views is the best place to start if J Street wishes to ensure that they represent the
majority view.
Even if some are not happy with the answers, a solid representative poll that is constructed with a genuine will to
ascertain what the people think would provide a basis from which to begin meaningful discussion and debate. And
that is what it is all about.
Put it to the street, J Street. Let the street, the people, be heard.
Next, we need to poll the American People. 2.77 billion annually from American taxpayers in military hardware and
financial support to Israel means we paid for the bombs that caused billions in damage along with the destruction
of human life in Gaza. American taxpayers pay through the nose. They pay, they should have a say on whether
this is the best use of American taxes, or if they have other ideas.
Amazon.com: Recommended movies and books
please support The McLoughlin Post
links
home
feedback
