Oren asks American Jews for support
Speaking at the Jewish Council for Public Affairs annual plenum in Dallas on Sunday night, Israel's ambassador to the United States Michael Oren asked American Jews to support Israel, whether or not they agree with all its policies. “In spite of some of the differences that sometimes divide you and in spite of the differences you may have with our decisions, respect them, for they have been made by the majority of Israelis, through one of the world’s most resilient democracies,”I can't even tell you that the American Orthodox Jewish community - which is generally more Israel oriented than any other part of the American Jewish community - truly understands what's going on here. Those of you who read this blog and others regularly from the United States are probably among the best informed, and I'm sure there's a lot that goes on here that you probably don't understand.
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In blunt words, he urged American Jews to support Israel while it is at a “crucial crossroads” in the peace process.
“Support us, too, if we decide the peace being offered us is not a real peace and does not warrant those sacrifices and risks,” he said. “Join us in fighting for Israel’s right to defend itself, in fighting for Israel’s right to exist.”
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During his talk Sunday, Oren referenced “long-simmering issues” between American and Israeli Jews.
“While Israelis turned toward the center and right,” he said, “American Jews gravitated in the other direction, casting 80 percent of their ballots for Barack Obama.”
But unfortunately, the days when American Jews support whatever Israeli government is in power are long gone. Much of American Jewry is detached from Israel. The Six Day War was a generation ago and the Holocaust was two generations ago. Will the American Jewish community (as a whole - not the supportive group that reads this blog) stand up for Israel if necessary? I have my doubts.
So does Michael Oren.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:38 PM
6 Comments:
A guy I know is at this conference and put a rave review of Michael Oren's speech on his facebook. I'm looking for an audio link or youtube but can't find it. I want to post it, if anybody finds it...
"Will the American Jewish community (as a whole - not the supportive group that reads this blog) stand up for Israel if necessary? I have my doubts."
How about this:
Will the Israeli Jewish community (including the govt Rabbis) stand up for American Jews who have come to the community through intermarried families, etc.? I have my doubts.
Given the intermixed state of American Jewry, Israel could offer friendship, leadership, etc. It really is a two-way street.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Time and distance take their toll. One wonders how much American Jews really support Israel today. Their support for Obama would seem to indicate its neither deep nor enduring.
Hmm. The link is too long?
http://www.jewishpublicaffairs.org/Plenum/
michaelorensession.MP3
I've added a "return" after Plenum/.
If you backspace to bring it together, you'll have the whole URL. Here's a link for the Q&A after (also with a line break inserted):
http://www.jewishpublicaffairs.org/Plenum/
Orenqa.wav
Carl, I don't know how typical I am, but, I suspect, not that atypical.
I am of Jewish descent on my father's side and my Mother converted through a reform temple many years ago. My wife is Jewish.
I define my religion in terms of my support for Israel. It is among the most important thing in my life. Israel is certainly the future of the Jewish people; the diaspora: the past.
Yet, America still retains a large body of love for Israel. In the suburb of Little Rock, Arkansas I live in, although there are four or five Jews among 40, 000 souls, I've never encountered a hint of anti-semitism. Quite the contrary, the support of Israel is deep and solid.
There are among 40 million highly religious Christian friends of Israel as well as perhaps 5-6 million Jews(most of which stand with Israel), not to mention those persons of partial Jewish descent(a much greater number including myself) with more than a dim spark of love for Eretz Israel.
While this support may not exist in the current administration and the flame may, at times, flicker weakly, America has a deep respect and love for Israel. Indeed this undercurrent of pro-Israeli sentiment within America is the fundamental fact that has constrained anti-Israeli Presidents: Ford, Carter, and Obama.
Good luck and peace. Shalom, david
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