"Wait, we're not competing with, or anti, AIPAC–we're happy to work with them"
The JTA runs this story today after critiques from their earlier piece–honestly, I can’t say I’m surprised — I agree it isn’t productive to build a message or a group based on countering another group, or should I say on a negative message, so I can see why they want to change that PR spin, (and seeing as how all the people who wanted to challenge AIPAC left the initiative…) but wow don’t they sound like funders at the end of the article–indeed I wonder what this new potential “product” might really mean — what I mean is I’m not understanding then what is going to be new in this “marketplace of ideas.” I guess time will tell:
News of the initiative emerged in part because of a rift at the inaugural Sept. 13 meeting in Washington over the degree to which AIPAC should be confronted. There were a number of representatives at that meeting who have directly challenged what they believe is AIPAC’s hawkishness. Others at the meeting said confronting AIPAC would be counterproductive.
Subsequently, those participants who favored a more direct confrontation with AIPAC dropped away, though it was unclear whether they were disinvited or simply chose not to continue participating.
Those currently leading the effort say they’re happy to work with AIPAC.
Full story.
But then lets put this into some perspective of real lives and people impacted, and here’s just one story that can do that:
Sawsan Salameh, a Palestinian from the West Bank, was thrilled to get a full scholarship from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem to begin a doctorate in theoretical chemistry.
But a recent move by the Israeli Army to ban new Palestinian students from Israeli universities for security reasons is keeping her from studying at the campus, just two miles from her home.
“The first time I applied for a permit I was rejected,” said Ms. Salameh, 29, a Muslim wearing a firmly fastened head scarf and a black denim skirt that skimmed the floor. “I was shocked, because I thought there must be some kind of mistake, so I kept trying. I kept hoping.”
Her situation is familiar to many Palestinians whose freedom of movement has been limited in recent years because of the continuing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Ms. Salameh said that after she appealed six times to the Israeli government agency that handles Palestinian affairs, she decided to turn to the Supreme Court. On Tuesday, Gisha, an Israeli group that is an advocate for Palestinian rights, submitted a petition on her behalf to the court, calling the ban illegal…
“There is a Jewish tradition in which value is put on learning; Mr. Ben-Gurion said he wanted Israel to be a shining light to all nations,” he said, referring to Israel’s first prime minister. “You have to deliver on these things.”
“Both by sentiment and cold practicality, it is not in our interest to act like this,” Dr. Levine said in a telephone interview from Los Angeles, where he is teaching at the University of California.
wow. you totally just beat me to that…..
i read the first JTA article yesterday and was already pissed that they were reinventing the wheel….umm, hello? Brit Tzedek V’Shalom? hearda them? i think they are a 2-state solution Jewish lobbying group…duh…why does every Jew feel the need to start his/her own organization?
Then today I heard 3 women speak with Partners for Peace and am fully enveloped in guilt, anger and desperation at the situation in Gaza among other places. we need action, people!
then i come home and read this new bunk about how the lame wheel-reinventors aren’t even doing so—they are kowtowing to the all-mighty AIPAC and reverting to moderation and mediocrity. …what else is new.
While there are several pro-Israel, pro-peace groups out there right now, none of them than can fully take on AIPAC. Firstly, each group has a different focus. IPF does analysis, APN does lobbying and works with Shalom Achshav, and Brit Tzedek has the grassroots. Together, this is a very powerful combination, which was witnessed in their successful opposition to the Palestinian Sanctions bill (HR4681/S2370) early this summer (the bills passed their respective chambers but havent gone to conference and likely wont).
Secondly, even when all 3 groups do work together, their resources are vastly dwarfed by that of AIPACs. Presumably the purpose here is combine the resources of these groups and amplify them so they could actually be a counterweight to the bohemoth.
That said, there is a real question here as to how “anti-AIPAC” they should be. A question that those of us who support this cause must tackle as well. Being publicly “anti-AIPAC” will certainly gain you some quick supporters and probably money, and can be a means for directly addressing AIPACs major faults. On the other hand, there are many many left-leaning Jews who support AIPAC simply because they think that is what Jews do, and they might be so turned off by an “anti-AIPAC” org that they wont come on board. It is that majority of US Jews that must accompany this new group if it is to be effective.
Whatever the result, this is a defining moment for this issue. My question is, who leaked the story to the JTA?
my friend who was on the dorot fellowship w/me co-founded gisha
I sort of wish they hadn’t mentioned AIPAC at all, just said they were looking to become a major lobbying group and then enumerated their platform. Which probably wouldn’t work out that well if they don’t actually have one.
Jewish power and influence on Israel is used to support suicidal policies, including illegal settlements and occupation. Perhaps, less Jewish power would translate into more pressure on Israel and a weakening of Israel’s ability to sustain occupation.
So… anything that weakens AIPAC, and be extension the Jewish projection of power on US foreign diplomacy, is a good thing. The only question is what is the best method for weakening AIPAC. I say, more spy scandals and heavy handed attacks on politicians.
Oh, and more folks willing to publicly own thier opposition to AIPAC. That’s a great way to harm them.
Hey Jew Guevara,
You know, that spy scandal idea is a great one for weakening AIPAC. The only thing that would weaken is the general public’s restraint from committing outright acts of anti-semitism completely unrelated to Israel or AIPAC. Ever heard of some guy name Dreyfus? I’m hoping that that comment was sarcastic, because weakening anything that stands for Jews (of any ideology) is the dumbest thing ever. unless you’re talking about J4J’s. The best answer isn’t to weaken AIPAC, the best answer is to support whatever group it is you like better. Don’t destroy the Jews you disagree with, convince them, through good arguments, not BS.
The problem with not attacking (or at the very least addressing) AIPAC is that it means you are completely ignoring the elephant in the room. and please dont think AIPAC or other groups of its nature wont attack this new pro-peace lobby (in fact they already have). we saw what happened to kerry when he decided not to attack swift boat veterans for truth.
we need to get past the myth that weakening AIPAC is akin to weakening the “US-Israel relationship” or support for Israel in general. Supporting Israel can be done without supporting an illegal occupation that only puts Israelis in greater danger. if this new group is willing to say that, then it might be worth some of Soros’ money.
My friends who was on the dorot fellowship w/me co-founded gisha.
So… anything that weakens AIPAC, and be extension the Jewish projection of power on US foreign diplomacy, is a good thing. The only question is what is the best method for weakening AIPAC.
Manuela
“On the other hand, there are many many left-leaning Jews who support AIPAC simply because they think that is what Jews do, and they might be so turned off by an “anti-AIPAC†org that they wont come on board.”
Many Jews–including those on the left–support AIPAC simply because it is effective.
“Many Jews–including those on the left–support AIPAC simply because it is effective.”
Republicans are effective. So is the Christian right. I dont think Jews support AIPAC “simply” because its effective, but because they agree with its cause, or at least what they think is its cause, supporting Israel. If Jews knew that AIPAC was actually hurting Israel by promoting US policy that supports military solutions only and opposes the peace process, then its effectiveness would be irrelevant (or better, a reason for creating a viable alternative).