From the Haaretz story:
Extreme right-wing Jewish activists in the West Bank have moved from spontaneous acts against Arabs - following the demolition of Jewish homes by Israeli authorities, or terror attacks against Jews - to organized planning that includes use of a database of potential targets, according to new analysis by the Shin Bet security service.
A left-wing activist was apparently the latest "price tag" victim yesterday, when threatening graffiti against a Peace Now leader was discovered on the front of her Jerusalem apartment and in a nearby stairwell. The incident follows last week's vandalism attack on an Israel Defense Forces base in the West Bank, in apparent revenge for the demolition of unauthorized Jewish construction in settlement outposts there.
Sources in the Shin Bet noted that the planned attacks against Arabs and left-wing Israelis constitute terrorist activity, for all intents and purposes.
There is simply NO EXCUSE for this. It is one thing to disagree with others, it is quite another to terrorize them through physical and mental intimidation.
There is room in the Jewish community for criticism of governmental policies particularly when they threaten the democratic nature of Israel. Remember, where the State came from and why it exists; To provide a National Homeland and State of the Jewish People. Civil disagreement is a function of all strong democratic societies.
A few years ago, I wrote this on the Americans for Peace Now Website:
As an American Jew who loves, respects, and fully believes in the Zionist dream of a Jewish homeland in the land of our forefathers/mothers, I worry about those "New Purists" those who are attempting to steal open discourse from a community and culture that has always prided itself on it's openness, intelligence, and willingness to grow, as well as adapt and empathize with the downtrodden and oppressed in the world. These "new purists" seem to be on a quest to re-define Zionism and who can be part of that movement.
First though, here is a beautiful passage from the Israeli Declaration of Independence:
THE STATE OF ISRAEL will be open for Jewish immigration and for the Ingathering of the Exiles; it will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
The ideals enshrined in this document embodied the ideal of creating a nation that was to be "as a light unto nations". Yet the "new purists", those individuals who deem themselves more properly Jewish or Zionist than those of us who believe in the Israel of its founders, are embarking on a campaign that threatens the very State of Israel itself. From the public defamation of dissent by Im Tirzu, to the snubs from the Israeli government of American Zionist organizations dedicated to supporting Israel, to the arrests and violence against the protestors at Sheikh Jarrah who are trying to help innocent families being pushed out of their homes - the "new purists" are trying to define who are the "real" supporters of Israel.
Well I say to these "new purists" that your efforts to claim "Greater Israel", create a "witch hunt" in the diaspora community and in Israel for imagined enemies, and politically stifle debate on issues that are so important to the modern State of Israel, are destroying support for Israel not only within the International community but within the Jewish community itself. Those of us in the Progressive Zionist movement love "Ha'aretz". We love that it is a haven for Jews no matter where they are who are threatened by those who would harm us for our faith, culture and nationality. The continued existence of Israel as a Jewish State is paramount for our survival as a people.
The political rigidity that you support runs contrary to our history as a people. You are creating a place that takes the worst from other nations, not something that is an example for others. By focusing on destroying the Progressive wing of Zionism you are splitting our already small community. You are putting the very existence of Israel as a 21st century democracy in peril.
We ask that you look at your roots and look at the roots of a country we love. We on the Progressive Wing of Zionism support and love Israel. We want Israel to grow and prosper in the 21st century and for centuries to come. The world is a changing place and we as a people need to adapt and embrace this change, not fear it and resort to tactics of our enemies. Because when we do that - we lose the very things that have kept us alive for so many centuries regardless of the levels of oppression we have endured.
Am I a subversive for writing this.... of course not. More than ever I think it is important that we as Jews remember our heritage and make sure that we do not turn into the worst of our enemies. Of course this is not to say that one needs roll over and bare ones throat. Standing up for ourselves is also very important. But, we have to strive to do better... not just become like our enemies.
Shalom
The ideals enshrined in this document embodied the ideal of creating a nation that was to be "as a light unto nations". Yet the "new purists", those individuals who deem themselves more properly Jewish or Zionist than those of us who believe in the Israel of its founders, are embarking on a campaign that threatens the very State of Israel itself. From the public defamation of dissent by Im Tirzu, to the snubs from the Israeli government of American Zionist organizations dedicated to supporting Israel, to the arrests and violence against the protestors at Sheikh Jarrah who are trying to help innocent families being pushed out of their homes - the "new purists" are trying to define who are the "real" supporters of Israel.
Well I say to these "new purists" that your efforts to claim "Greater Israel", create a "witch hunt" in the diaspora community and in Israel for imagined enemies, and politically stifle debate on issues that are so important to the modern State of Israel, are destroying support for Israel not only within the International community but within the Jewish community itself. Those of us in the Progressive Zionist movement love "Ha'aretz". We love that it is a haven for Jews no matter where they are who are threatened by those who would harm us for our faith, culture and nationality. The continued existence of Israel as a Jewish State is paramount for our survival as a people.
The political rigidity that you support runs contrary to our history as a people. You are creating a place that takes the worst from other nations, not something that is an example for others. By focusing on destroying the Progressive wing of Zionism you are splitting our already small community. You are putting the very existence of Israel as a 21st century democracy in peril.
We ask that you look at your roots and look at the roots of a country we love. We on the Progressive Wing of Zionism support and love Israel. We want Israel to grow and prosper in the 21st century and for centuries to come. The world is a changing place and we as a people need to adapt and embrace this change, not fear it and resort to tactics of our enemies. Because when we do that - we lose the very things that have kept us alive for so many centuries regardless of the levels of oppression we have endured.
Am I a subversive for writing this.... of course not. More than ever I think it is important that we as Jews remember our heritage and make sure that we do not turn into the worst of our enemies. Of course this is not to say that one needs roll over and bare ones throat. Standing up for ourselves is also very important. But, we have to strive to do better... not just become like our enemies.
Shalom
I remember the horror when learning that it was a Jew, Yigal Amir, who assassinated Rabin. We're better than this. The Price Tag attacks are terrorism, and they're disturbing no matter who directed against, whether Jew, Arab, or others.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Mets... I am really bummed about how the rightists seem to be going after fellow Jews (and Arabs). I don't understand how they think those of us in the Center or Center Left, who strongly support Israel but are searching for peace are worthy of being called traitors and worse.
ReplyDeleteIt's because we don't agree with their dreams of a Greater Israel. Brad Burston said it best when he said that Israel could only be two of the following three, and not all three:
ReplyDelete1. A Jewish State
2. A democratic state
3. One state between the River and the Sea
No real shock here. Right wingers tend toward violence when they don't get their way. This isn't exactly news.... the FBI has had the same warning about right wing Christian groups here for some years now.
ReplyDelete