As we quickly approach the celebration for Yom Ha’aztmaut, Israeli Independence Day, it offers us an opportunity to think about our own relationship with the state of Israel. As we learned this past summer and have continued to see as the year has progressed, there is growing anti-Semitism in the world. We’ve seen the boycott divestment sanction (BDS) movement increase on college campuses across the country. Rachel Beyda, a UCLA student, came to the confirmation meeting for her nomination to the judicial board only to find that she was being drilled about her Jewish affiliation. “Given that you are a Jewish student and very active in the Jewish community,” asked one council member in a video since removed from YouTube, “how do you see yourself being able to maintain an unbiased view?”[1]In November 2014 UCLA voted for divestment from Israel. What is more disturbing is that a study that was recently published examining anti-Semitic attitudes on college campuses around the country from before the war in Gaza this past summer, the 2013-2014 school year, found an average of 54% of Jewish students on all campuses, regardless of that campus’ past anti-Israel activism, experienced anti-Semitism. This means that this attitude is prevalent as an undercurrent in American society. I feel as if in the multi-cultural arena that is America, we loath to use the term anti- Semitic. Groups will say that they are anti-Zionist or they are opposed to the state of Israel on grounds of the treatment that Palestinians experience. Yet the BDS movement seems to conflate anti-Israel sentiment with anti-Jewish sentiment. Israel is seen as an aggressor always and the Palestinians of victims.
The other area of concern of course comes from the relationship between the Bibi Netanyahu and in President Obama. It is not simply that they have a personality conflict, but it appears as if they have opposing views of what is necessary to bring around conflict resolution between, not just the state of Israel and the Palestinians, but also with Iran. In an article in the Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg shares excerpts of an interview he conducted last year with President Obama. "[I]f Palestinians come to believe that the possibility of a contiguous sovereign Palestinian state is no longer within reach, then our ability to manage the international fallout is going to be limited," he said.
At which point, I asked, "Willingness, or ability?"
He responded, "Not necessarily willingness, but ability to manage international fallout is going to be limited. And that has consequences."[2]these consequences include the recognition at the United Nations of the State of Palestine. Many Americans are confused why Israelis voted for BiBi, yet I want to remind you that only 23.5% of Israelis voted for him. Of those who had voted for him, many felt that they needed BiBi to stand up to President Obama, who in their estimation failed to understand foreign-policy specifically regarding the Middle East. On the CCAR Facebook page and other places it is evident that many leaders in the Jewish world have increased anxiety about the outcome of the Israeli election. Will Israel become more isolated? Will United Nations continue to further support the Palestinian cause? Will there be more anti-Semitism both in Europe and an American college campuses? Will the United States strike a deal with Iran and will that deal entail increased risk to the safety of the state of Israel.
Regardless of how you feel about Israel, recognizing that some of their policies like any other government’s policies we will love just as much we will struggle with other policies. I believe it is time for us to reengage with Israel. It is time for us to pay more attention and develop a stronger awareness regarding all of the issues and the players. On Friday April 24, we will have a potluck followed by a discussion regarding Israel. Richard Friedman from the Birmingham Jewish Federation will come and lead that discussion. I encourage you to come and get engaged.
