Identity, Israel, Justice

Jewish anti-Zionist protesters block entrance to Israeli Consulate in LA


click below to read the statement from their website and for a few personal thoughts:

Jews Shut Down Israeli Consulate for 3 Hours
10 Jews Chain Together to Block Driveway and Entrance
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 Los Angeles

Early this morning, Jewish activists in a historic first in Los Angeles, chained themselves to the entrance of the Israeli Consulate and blocked the driveway to the parking structure, blocking all traffic in and out of the building. “We sent a clear message to the world that LA Jews are part of the global majority in opposition to the Israeli siege of Gaza,” said Lenny Potash a 72-year old protester who was cuffed to eight other activists, blocking the driveway to the consulate. The activists were joined by 50 other supporters and who chanted “LA Jews say, End the Siege of Gaza” and “Not in Our Name! We will Not be Silent!” Protesters also held up signs reading “Israeli Consulate: Closed for War Crimes.”
“We succeeded today in letting Jews and other Americans of conscience know that it is safe to speak out against the policies of the Israeli government and that the Israeli lobby does not speak for everyone,” said Robin Ellis, a Registered Nurse who also risked arrest to block the consulate entrance. “We are committed to escalating non-violent activities in the future to end the siege and win justice for Palestinians,” Ellis said.
The group of activists were an ad-hoc, multi-generational group of LA Jewish residents, including members of the recently founded International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network. They shared a commitment to ending the Israeli siege on Gaza and an end to Israeli apartheid. The demonstration will kick off a wave of demonstrations across the United States uniting Palestinians, Jewish people, and other Americans outraged by the siege.
“We are shocked and outraged at Israeli’s latest act of violent aggression against the Palestinian people. Killing over 950 people, including 250 women and children, bombing schools and mosques and then calling it self-defense—that is the worst kind of hypocrisy. It also amounts to war crimes,” said Hannah Howard, a local member of the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network. “We shut down the Israeli consulate today because as Jewish people we cannot allow business as usual while violence is being done in our name.”
Action participants also spoke out against the US government’s unconditional support for Israel’s siege and its ongoing war against the Palestinian people. “While US-funded F16’s rain down bombs on the people of Gaza, our elected officials locally and nationally offer unqualified support.” said Marsha Steinberg, a retired union representative. “Our government must stop sending billions of dollars in military and economic aid to the Israeli war machine,” Goldberg said. In the coming week, concerned Americans from all backgrounds will call on the new Presidential administration to make a 180 degree change in policy.

you can agree or disagree with their ideas and their actions, but we should at least acknowledge that it takes courage to stand up amidst a community that has so blindly supported Israel in its choice to unleash such destruction in Gaza. It’s hard and at times scary, no matter what the context or situation, to be part of a minority view amidst a vocal majority, but sometimes you just feel what you feel.
For myself, seeing the illegitimate tactics utilized to wage a legitimate war in Lebanon two and a half years ago stopped me from that point forward from calling myself a Zionist. Seeing what we have been able to see in Gaza (despite Israel banning reporters from the Strip) only reconfirms those feelings.
There was a time when the role of Zionism in the Jewish world was up for debate, and it was one of an assortment of ways to access our connection to the Land of Israel. I know I am not alone in questioning what it means to be a Zionist, and God bless those that, unlike myself, rediscover Zionism for themselves and redefine it to meet their needs. Yet, these days, amidst renewed accusations that being against Zionism means you are against Jews and/or Judaism, I find myself thinking, is it possible for moderate, observant and secular communities to NOT be Zionist, and still be a “part of the tribe,” or have we grown so attached to that manifestation of our connection to the concept of the Land of Israel as a nation-state, that Zionism has inextricably linked itself to Jewish expression?
Speaking for myself, I find it quite easy to have a deep, intense, even passionate love for the Land of Israel. I’m not so fond of its government, or any other government. I’m not so fond of its military, or any other military. I do believe that the Jewish people have a right to a state (if they really want one), yet certainly not at the exclusion of another people having a right to a state (if they really want one). The notion of an ethnically enforced majority, that just makes me nauseous; I’m not trying to be a dick, I’m just trying to be honest. If I believe that Jews have the right to a state, am I automatically a Zionist? If I believe that a one-state solution is the only democratic solution, am I automatically not a Zionist? If I believe it is wrong and unjust for Israel to give preferential treatment to Jewish immigrants am I anti-Semitic? If I believe that it is more important to stand up to unjust tactics of war and persecution than to be a part of ethnic or nationalist unity, am I a traitor?
These are my thoughts, as the death toll in Gaza crosses 1000, and the spat in Gaza enters its third week, and a group of Jewish Americans, young and old, courageously chained themselves to the Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles to make their statement and share their point of view.

16 thoughts on “Jewish anti-Zionist protesters block entrance to Israeli Consulate in LA

  1. You are not alone. I second most of your statements. It is terrifying to be anti-zionist or even questioning of zionism or even a pro-peace, pro-palestinian zionist… within the jewish community. Especially when you are observant, as i am. I find myself silencing myself more than I like in order to maintain peace in my personal life. I am sick about what Israel is doing.

  2. Above is a quote: “We sent a clear message to the world that LA Jews are part of the global majority in opposition to the Israeli siege…”
    Balderdash! The only message sent was that the people who participated were opposed. It is the height of hubris to insinuate that this somehow represented “the Jews of LA.”
    Then comes the quote: ““We succeeded today in letting Jews and other Americans of conscience know that it is safe to speak out against the policies of the Israeli government…”
    Really? It is safe? Wow! I was worried until this act occurred that thugs might come and beat up on those who spoke out. But now I am relived to know that it is safe.
    Then we read “participants also spoke out against the US government’s unconditional support for Israel’s siege.”
    Unconditional? Well then how is it that the US did not veto the UN resolution. Granted that the US has not reigned in Israel – but “unconditional?” Please-get a grip.
    Next quote: “and that the Israeli lobby does not speak for everyone,”
    Really? Do the people over at JStreet know yet that APAC does not speak for everyone? Do the people in Peace Now know? Thank goodness to these protesters for the enlightenment.
    Next “In the coming week, concerned Americans from all backgrounds will call on the new Presidential administration to make a 180 degree change in policy.”
    Really-180? A change I can understand. But 180 degree shift would mean we should have the US cease and desist from support for Israel and give billions to a Palestinian regime that has yet to account for what it does with foreign aid? The USA should send fighter jets to Hamas? Because that is what 180 degree shift would be.
    We also read of those who “courageously chained themselves.”
    I have chained myself in several demonstrations of the years for various causes. But it never required an act of courage. Courage would be to enter the fighting zone and help in hospitals under fire (if not in Gaza-where one can not enter, then in other geographic areas in the world under fire). Chaining oneself in an LA driveway hardly qualifies as a “courageous” act.

  3. You say Israel’s policy in Lebanon and Gaza made you stop calling yourself a Zionist. I think you’ve bought in a right wing lie that says you need to support ever Israeli governmental policy in order to be a real Jewish nationalist. Which is ridiculous. It would be like saying I’m not part of the American nation because I’m against the war in Iraq. You can oppose settlements, oppose the wall, oppose the occupation, the incursions, all that, and still be a Zionist if you believe yourself to be a part of the Jewish nation.

  4. “Really? It is safe? Wow! I was worried until this act occurred that thugs might come and beat up on those who spoke out. But now I am relived to know that it is safe.”
    Well, ME, you enjoy participating in online intellectual bullying, regularly tearing down peoples’ thoughts (such as in this post) without actually confronting the substance of what is at hand. Just reactionary stifling that seems to have little more purpose than belittling those you disagree with. Remember when you ‘insinuated’ I was a self-hating, anti-Semite? Yeah, that’s the bullying we’re talking about… It’s not imaginary at all.

  5. There are many points made here, and I disagree with many of them, but one that bothers me much is the Jewish community has “blindly supported Israel in its choice to unleash such destruction in Gaza.” Whether or not Israel had a choice (I don’t want to sidetrack), the acts are not just to unleash destruction. What is wrong with the argument that if Israel truly wanted to unleash destruction, this would not be it? For those who would say that’s un-Jewish, or something like that – that is a strictly Talmudic argument, called ??? – migo. From in – from the fact that Israel could have unleashed destruction in a much cheaper, easier, safer (for Israel) way – we can deduce that Israel did not attempt to just unleash destruction.
    Furthermore, “blindly support”? I think most people of the kind who chain themselves to the consulate are “blindly rejecting” Israel, and whether they like it or not, are, in effect, lending support to Hamas.
    This, without getting into any of the other thoughts you raise.

  6. Justin- Mock me if you will. Call me “an intellectual bully” if you must (I like the first part). Refer to me as “reactionary,” if it allows you to feel that the tripe you quote is reality. I can take it and as many more invectives you wish to hurl.
    You accuse me of failure to “actually confronting the substance of what is at hand” and then it is YOU who ignore my points. So let me be substantive in my questions.
    1. Do you agree with the quote you bring that America should change its policy 180 degrees? That is to say, do you favor the giving of military aid and jet planes to Hamas? (I understand that you want a more evenly balanced policy-but do YOU want a 180 degree shift)?
    2. Chaining oneself in the driveway of a consulate in LA is a publicity stunt. It made it into Jewschool. But do you really define it as an act of courage?
    3. Do you really believe that the entire organized Jewish world is blind to the extent that it all marches in lock step to the beat of Israel’s drum with the USA lending “unconditional support.” (Again-I realize that most US Jewish organizations are pro-Israel and so are most US governments).
    4. Do you really believe that the act carried out by this group sent a message to the world about the position of the Jews of LA? Or would it be more accurate to say that the act was a message by those involved?
    I am NOT taking a position here on the war, one way, or the other. One can be against this war, as it has been waged, without being anti-Semitic or self-hating. Of course one can also be those too. I I am asking that the posts be honest and accurate. I think that the quotes as they appear are far from that.

  7. ME, to answer your questions-
    1. No, I don’t think that we should be providing arms to Hamas. I was not advocating for their position, merely saying that there were folks in LA who chained themselves together to make a statement. I provided the text of their statement so people knew why they were chaining themselves together.
    2. It is a publicity stunt, it is ‘civil disobedience,’ or ‘direct action’ or whatever term you’d like to apply to it. I do believe that both of those things at the proper time are courageous. So, yes, I do believe it to be a courageous act (whether I agree with the reason for doing it or not).
    3. I do think that the most established and influential organizations of the Jewish world in America, which is the only one I really know well, march in lock step. I believe that undying support is not a bad thing, necessarily, unless that support compromises values of the organizations. I fear, and believe, that the desire to believe those values are not compromised blind us to see where they are, thereby leading us to rationalize the irrational and take positions and approaches that polarize our communities, and frankly make us look bad.
    4. I believe that there are Jews in LA who felt strong enough to chain themselves together. I also believe that the Jews in LA whom I am in contact with, of various political persuasions, are not comfortable with the manner in which “establishment Jewry” approach Israel and Zionism, and are also ‘afraid’ or ‘reluctant’ to express those feelings publicly (to address the issue of whether or not people feel safe expressing their true feelings).
    I’m curious why you’re interested in my answers to those questions, on the topic, I’m quite curious to your answers to these questions from the post:
    If I believe that Jews have the right to a state, am I automatically a Zionist? If I believe that a one-state solution is the only democratic solution, am I automatically not a Zionist? If I believe it is wrong and unjust for Israel to give preferential treatment to Jewish immigrants am I anti-Semitic? If I believe that it is more important to stand up to unjust tactics of war and persecution than to be a part of ethnic or nationalist unity, am I a traitor?

  8. “If I believe that Jews have the right to a state, am I automatically a Zionist?”
    If Zionism is defined as the belief is that Jews as a people have a right to form a state, then yes, that makes you a Zionist *by definition*.
    “If I believe that a one-state solution is the only democratic solution, am I automatically not a Zionist?”
    No, it doesn’t make you not a Zionist because you still believe Jews have the right to form a state.
    …But if believe that the Jews have the right to form a state and you also think that a one-state solution is a good idea, where would you propose the Jews build their state? Obviously there is interest for one.
    I assume you realize that a one-state solution would make the current State of Israel considerably less ‘Jewish’… And would probably result in widespread murder of Jewish civilians, the destruction of most or all notable Jewish landmarks, etc. I don’t say this because I think the Palestinians as a group are racist or hate us. I say this because tiny factions within Palestinian society have been formed to do precisely those things. The normal people who just want to live their lives in peace aren’t the problem; but the handful of crazies can do a lot of damage very quickly.
    “If I believe it is wrong and unjust for Israel to give preferential treatment to Jewish immigrants am I anti-Semitic?”
    Well, no. No one can *be* Antisemitic because Antisemitism is a behavior or a belief, not a state of being.
    That said, your belief could be Antisemitic if it’s based on singling out Jews (or a state composed of Jews) while not applying equal criteria to other ethnic groups or other countries.
    A *lot* of countries have what are internationally called repatriation laws. Repatriation laws, by definition, expedite the immigration of members of a particular ethnic or cultural group. They, as the term implies, exist to “re-patriate” (restore the citizenship of) members of the country’s dominant ethnic group.
    Countries that have such laws (besides Israel) include: Germany, Finland, France, Greece, China, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Italy, Spain, Turkey and a handful of others. If it’s OK for all of those countries to have such laws, but it’s not OK for Israel to have such a law, then yes, you are being Antisemitic because you’re saying that when Jews are making laws they are not allowed to do things that are generally viewed as acceptable everywhere else in the world.
    So which is it? Is Israel wrong or are all those European and East Asian countries wrong?
    “If I believe that it is more important to stand up to unjust tactics of war and persecution than to be a part of ethnic or nationalist unity, am I a traitor?”
    Opposition to some or all of the Israeli government’s political or military activities does not imply opposition to the state’s existence.
    If you think that Zionism means always agreeing with what the government of a Jewish state does, you’ve fundamentally missed the point. Zionism means having that state exist so that you can choose to disagree with its government.
    Zionists support the existence of a state. They need not support the current government or even any government that comes to power therein. (Conversely, support of said government does not make one a Zionist.)

  9. Kari writes:
    If Zionism is defined as the belief is that Jews as a people have a right to form a state, then yes, that makes you a Zionist *by definition*.
    […]
    Zionists support the existence of a state.
    These two statements are contradictory. Believing that X has the right to Y is not the same thing as supporting X doing Y.
    (And, in this case, I do support the existence of a state, but I also believe in the rights of people to do things I don’t support.)

  10. Justin writes:
    I’m curious why you’re interested in my answers to those questions, on the topic, I’m quite curious to your answers to these questions from the post:
    The reason I asked these questions is that I presumed that your blog reflects your opinions.
    Indeed, your responses are that you do NOT necessarily agree with your own post’s quote but provided the text of their statement so “people knew why they were chaining themselves together”. For example: You write that you are opposed to sending military aid to Hamas. (Even though the blog quote called for a 180 degree turn in US policy in the Middle East. This would entail a US position that is nonsupportive of Israel and close cooperation in military and intelligence matters with Hamas. That would be the meaning of a 180 degree shift).But it would seem that you are seeking a more even-handed policy. That is NOT a 180 degree shift.
    I now understand that you think that a few people chaining themselves to a consulate in LA really is an act of courage. I have no issue with protests and stunts. But to me, courage implies acting for principles in situations where one will face imminent harm, serious danger, or great loss. In LA, none of these seemed to be the case. The police did not, at least according to JTA, even make an arrest.
    I now understand that you “do think that the most established and influential organizations of the Jewish world in America…march in lock step”. OK. But as a member of Peace Now, Jstreet, Keshet Rabbis, Rabbis for Human Rights I do not see the lock step as effective. I hardly see Mort Klien (AZO) and the Reform Movement’s RAC as marching in lock step on almost anything.
    Now you ask me to answer your questions. To do so fairly would require my own blog on this site. Talkbacks tend to be relatively brief and so what is said can easily be inadequate. But, nonetheless, I will respond briefly.
    You ask:If I believe that Jews have the right to a state, am I automatically a Zionist?
    I am not in a position to define the term “Zionist.” For some, it is living in and supporting the State of Israel. For others it is mere support. So, are women of Hadassah, who, while never moving to Israel, send kids to Israel and build hospitals Zionists? Some would say yes and some no. I do not have an opinion. And, a precise definition is not paramount.
    You ask:If I believe that a one-state solution is the only democratic solution, am I automatically not a Zionist?
    If one defines Zionism as fulfilling the Mitzvah of “Yeshuv HaAretz” then a one state solution could, in theory, be possible. If one views it as a State for the Jewish people (with protections for all others) then a one state solution would lose its Jewish majority, and special status, and just be a democratic (or not) state in the Middle East. A one state solution would mean an end to the Jewish State. So, I think that the reality is that those who support a one state solution are either naïve, or do not like the idea of a Jewish State (or a State for Jews). I think most of these people are anti-Zionist. Many may be anti-Semitic. But they are not necessarily either.
    You ask:If I believe it is wrong and unjust for Israel to give preferential treatment to Jewish immigrants am I anti-Semitic?
    No. If you hate Jews you would be ant-Semitic. Favoring one policy or another, on immigration does not necessarily mean anti-Semitism. But, as another post pointed out, many countries have preferential immigration laws. To oppose them only with regard to Israel (and I am not saying that this is your approach) could be a sign of anti-Semitism.
    You ask:If I believe that it is more important to stand up to unjust tactics of war and persecution than to be a part of ethnic or nationalist unity am I a traitor?
    It is not an either or situation. It is praiseworthy to stand up to “tactics of war and persecution.” But one can do so as a part of an ethnic group or as a citizen of that nation. But, to be specific-No, this would not be treasonous.

  11. All this time I was thinking that Zionism was the movement to establish and maintain a Jewish homeland in Israel. To some American Jews it seems like something much more sinister. I grew up in Brazil, in a small Jewish community, I really don’t get all this. Really, what is Zionism to these American Jews? Why can’t they oppose the Israeli government policies without using the terminology that people who do not believe that Jews have the right to a homeland use everyday to discredit Israel? Their charter is very disturbing, I hope that is not what all American Jews think Zionism is. Do they really think that calling Israel racist, sexist, criminal, Islamophobic, imperialistic and genocidal will bring Israelis to work for peace? Is there no Hashomer Hatzair or Habonim Dror to teach young people about Zionism in America?

  12. Anyone who believes in a one-state solution is sadly misguided. Everyone, who is honest with themselves, knows that Jews living in a muslim state would be murdered. Don’t believe me? You can hear the Hamas leadership say so for yourself:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i08L09V0_sg
    A two state solution is the only way to peace… We and the Palestinians must heal separately from years of violence and anger. To support a one state solution is insanity, to actually voice that support is standing in the way of peace.
    But no, it does not make you anti-semitic, just suicidal

  13. As expected, antisemitic attacks are up throughout the world, synagogues are attacked, and Jews on every campus are subject to increasingly fierce hostility. We have been here before. Justified or unjustified, the entire Jewish world pays the price of Israel’s actions, however legitimate they may be.
    Our question is this: Does the Israeli government ever take this into account when making its decisions?
    If the diaspora is expected to take the rap for Israel’s actions, and to come out in support, shouldn’t it also be consulted at some point?
    If there is ‘taxation’, shouldn’t there also be representation?
    Israel excites, alienates and compels. How are we as Jews implicated in Israel’s achievements, mistakes, and challenges? MAKOM invites you to join an ongoing conversation about hugging and wrestling with Israel.
    http://makom.haaretz.com

  14. Jews elsewhere in the world who are held responsible for Israel’s actions are the targets of Anti-semitism. Plain and simple.
    You say “justified or unjustified” as if there is some room for doubt about this… Tell me, is it racist to blame a black man in NYC for the actions of say, Nigeria? Of course it is. Just because it involves Jews and Israel the rules change? That seems rather questionable…
    Your question is one that shouldn’t be asked. Because merely by asking it you allow your opponent to set a precedent that is bad for everyone. You are basically allowing everyone in the world to hold the diaspora accountable for Israel’s actions. And it should be plain, whether you support Israel or not, that this is blatantly unfair, unjust, and anti-semitic.

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