Progressive Jews See Potential Conflict With Obama Over Gaza

Huffington Post by Sam Stein | Dec. 29, 2008 (News Report)

"At this moment of extreme crisis, J Street wants to demonstrate that, among those who care about Israel and its security, there is a constituency for sanity and moderation," read a carefully worded action alert from the J Street, a pro-Israel, pro-peace organization. "There are many who recognize elements of truth on both sides of this gaping divide and who know that closing it requires strong American engagement and leadership." Full Story »

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4.6

by Dwight Rousu - Dec. 30, 2008

Stein reports on the concerns of progressive jewish groups in the United States. This is a voice too seldom heard in the news.

The progressive Jewish community are perhaps the most informed and articulate voices calling for an end to the military attacks and persecution of the Palestinians. Some people learned from the Holocaust that you need military strength to prevent being victims of hate and intolerance. Others have also learned that you need human respect for people different than you in order to prevent being perpetrators of hate and intolerance. I fervently hope Obama will listen to progressive J ... More »

J Street : Statement by Executive Director, on Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza - 4 Reviews »

Dwight posted this story.

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4.3

by Gregory Kruse - Dec. 30, 2008

I can't find fault with it on issues of fact and fairness. I think it is too brief and scarcely breaks the surface tension, but it is an Huffpost article. What is left out is the intransigence of Israeli's who joyfully build on Palestinian soil and divert security walls into West Bank territory for the protection of illegal settlements existing and planned. Israel doesn't like the rockets, but the Palestinians don't like the arrogance. There are no new ideas, there is only a change in the nature of U.S. support of Israel. The new administration, the new congress, and the people who brought them to power understand that the Palestine problem is of the first magnitude. We should have occupied Israel, not Iraq.

I'm a ELCA Lutheran supporter of JStreet. I'm glad to hear this new group getting some publicity. It is past time to be afraid of the religious zealots who believe that God wants the Jews to smite the occupants and take the land. Whatever downsides there are to instant global publicity, it does tend to protect the underdog (Hamas) in a fight to the death. If Obama can change the nature of U.S. support even a little, it could be seen as a great change.

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3.0

by Fabrice Florin - Dec. 30, 2008

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4.0

by Patricia Blochowiak - Jan. 24, 2009

www.ifAmericansknew.org

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3.9

by Naomi Isler - Dec. 29, 2008

It presents what is always a conflicted situation for a candidate and the electorate - what's campaign and what's necessary policy once campaign is won. Fortunately it comes from the viewpoint of peace oriented Jewish organizations which, as noted, is not always heard.

Once again there are two groups, each of which thinks one more bomb will make the other vanish forever. The resulting loss of life is tragic. So is the inability of rational people on each side (and there are still a few) to be heard!

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4.5

by James Canning - Dec. 30, 2008

Sam Stein is always worth reading. Many Jews see great danger in the militaristic approach Israel keeps taking with the Palestinians, with any Israeli casualty being the basis for revenge many times over.

Israel will ultimately risk its own gradual extinction as a Jewish state if it fails to withdraw from the West Bank. So-called "supporters" of Israel who encourage the annexation of much if not all of the West Bank, inevitably provoke violence in Gaza (or from Gaza) because Hamas is simply not going to allow Israel to keep the West Bank and live in peace or any semblance of peace. US aids and abets Israeli oppression of the Palestinians, and makes it more difficult for Israel to ... More »

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4.2

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from 6 reviews (50% confidence)

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4.2

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5.0

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3.0

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5.0

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3.8

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MotherJones Blog: New "Pro Israel, Pro Peace" Political Group Launches: J Street Hopes to Prod Washington MidEast Policy Towards Center

Mother Jones | Dec. 29, 2008

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J Street : Statement by Executive Director, on Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza

jstreet.org, J Street by Jeremy Ben-Ami | Dec. 29, 2008 (Statement)

() While this morning's air strikes by Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza can be understood and even justified in the wake of recent rocket attacks, we believe that real friends of ...

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4.2

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