There have been numerous statements circulating lately including one from J Street that received prominent attention. Many rabbis have felt uncomfortable with some or all of these statements. Rabbi Micky Boyden has, with the help of others, created a statement from the middle of the political spectrum. It may not be a perfect letter. Many of us would tweak it here and there, but it is a good attempt at creating a document that may represent the views of a broad spectrum of the American and Israeli progressive rabbinate. While it has only been in existence for a couple of days and circulated privately, already several dozen Reform and Conservative rabbis have signed on. As you will see, this is a document seeking a reasonable two state solution. I encourage you to sign on, if you are a rabbi, and to ask your rabbi to do so, if you are not. When enough signatures have been gathered, the document will begin circulating with a signatory list appended. Many thanks go to Rabbi Boyden for his efforts.
Rabbis for Israel
Mission Statement
Introduction
Rabbis for Israel is a forum of rabbis from all streams, who are deeply concerned by the drift in much of world opinion that has made it legitimate to single out Israel for blame and censure in respect of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
While we recognize that Israel shares some responsibility for the current state of affairs, we believe that the roots of the conflict and its broader dimensions are much more complex than is generally presented.
We further believe that attempts by Israel’s detractors to lay the blame for the lack of progress towards peace at her door while pressing her alone to make concessions are not only unjustified but frequently motivated by political interests, naivety, ignorance, misinformation or even anti-Semitism.
We are particularly concerned by the manner in which some organizations within the Jewish community that profess to care for Israel and her well-being advocate that pressure be applied upon her to make unilateral concessions. Similar demands are not made of the Palestinians to respond in kind if at all. We believe that such advocacy, which results in intransigence and increased demands from the Palestinian side, does not advance the cause of peace. In discrediting Israel publicly, such organizations not only weaken support for her but also serve the interests of her detractors and enemies.
At a time when it has become fashionable to castigate Israel for unrest in the Middle East and elsewhere, we appeal to Jews everywhere to respond to criticism of Israel with support and to advocate on her behalf.
We urge rabbis who agree with the Mission Statement below to sign on to it, demonstrating their support for a reasonable solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Please email Rabbi Micky Boyden at boyden@zahav.net.il to do so.
If you are on Facebook, please search “Rabbis for Israel†and “like†the organization.
The Mission Statement of Rabbis for Israel
A Lasting and Secure Peace for Israel
• We, the undersigned, believe that Israel has a legitimate right to exist as a sovereign, democratic Jewish state in the historic homeland of the Jewish people. We support a peaceful and just resolution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict that will recognize two independent states, a Jewish state of Israel and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace, security, and prosperity.
• We call upon the Arab world to accept unequivocally and publicly Israel’s permanent right to exist in peace.
Sovereignty
• We believe that any resolution of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict will require Israel to cede sovereignty over most of the West Bank and will need to address the aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians concerning Jerusalem, a city that is holy to three religions.
• Palestinian claims for a right of return will need to find their resolution within the Palestinian state once established.
Teaching Tolerance and Peace
• We call upon Muslim and Christian religious leaders to establish frameworks in their own communities to oppose messages of hatred and violence against Israel, to work towards developing a spirit of mutual understanding, tolerance and peace with Jews, and to encourage the strengthening of peaceful relationships and partnerships between Israelis and Palestinians.
• We demand that the Palestinian Authority, Hamas and their agents cease using the media, mosques and textbooks to foster and incite hatred against Israel and the Jewish People.
Support for Israel
• We call upon leaders in the Jewish community to support Israel in their public statements and express any concerns they may have with great caution and considerable forethought given the manner in which their views are likely to be manipulated to Israel’s detriment by those who use every opportunity to vilify her.
The Use of Violence
• We call upon Palestinian political and religious leaders to denounce the use of violent Jihad, and demand that the Palestinian Authority, Hamas and their agents cease all forms of support, complicity and participation in or glorification of terrorist activities.
Moral Equivalency
• We recognize Israel’s moral right to defend her citizens against attacks emanating from the Palestinian territories. To demand that Israel forgo the right to defend her citizens in order to improve the lot of Palestinians without the latter abandoning their call for violent resistance is both morally and ethically repugnant. As such, we reject the moral equivalency that some would draw between the suffering of the Palestinians and the lasting psychological trauma not to mention literal endangerment of life with which Israelis have to contend.
Israel’s Defense
• We call upon the international community and media to recognize that any resolution of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict will demand that Israel’s very real security concerns be addressed, particularly in the light of the key role played by Iran and Syria in arming and training Israel’s enemies.
The first mishna in Bava Metziah teaches that a court should split the difference between two claimants when there is no evidence to show one is wrong. The Arabs say, “all of the land is ours, all of the fault is Israel’s.” You propose to say, “we share in the fault, and we are occupying some land that is not ours.” The world will very reasonably look at these two statements and conclude, “The majority of the fault lies with Israel, and the majority of the land belongs to the Arabs – clearly Israel must be forced to make concessions before any peace can exist.”
I don’t see how this statement can possibly be a positive step.
The issue is a simple one. If someone has the perspective that you have proposed above, virtually nothing will help. Most of us don’t and argue precisely that while we understand that SOME fault lies with Israel, at least as much does not. Those who say, “I don’t care” are not going to sign this document.