AIPAC Identifies Jewish Community’s Achilles Heel

Last week we reported that “Israeli” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a challenge to the Jewish peace community – indeed the watching world – to respond to his demand that Palestinians recognize Israel as “the state of the Jews”. Now the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) likewise issues a warning to their flock of a “new plan of attack” which seeks “to delegitimatize [sic] Israel’s very right to exist”. Methinks the Lobby doth protest too much.

What’s missing in AIPAC’s alert (reprinted after signature) is supplied for us by Netanyahu: Namely, that these “enemies” of the state of Israel refuse to recognize the legitimacy of Israel “as a state of the Jews”. The card AIPAC plays is merely a deceitful version of what the PM has so clearly stated. AIPAC plays this sympathy card face up: these “enemies” want to single out “Israel”, when all other states get to exist. Only Israel’s “right to exist” gets challenged. Unfair, right? Anti-Jewish, right?

Netanyahu says “Wrong!” Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish supremacist state, so says the leader of this Jewish state. This state, by its own definition (see The Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel), singles itself out by this exclusivist definition. And the world, especially the beleaguered and massacred Palestinian people, need to bow at the knee and repeat: Yes, Mister Prime Minister, Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state… how could we have been so callous as to disregard the wishes of our Jewish master (as his boot-heel caresses our necks)?

Perhaps one week isn’t enough time for Jewish-led peace groups to respond to our challenge of last week, and are we hoping that they will now be energized by this brazen attempt at lobbying to take up the banner and oppose this fear-driven memo from the most powerful Lobby on Capitol Hill.

IJAN*, are you listening to this cry from AIPAC? How about Jewish Voice for Peace? Code Pink? Women in Black? ANSWER? Brit Tzedek, want to raise some doubt here? Michigan Peaceworks? Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice? Anyone? Want to tell these supporters of Jewish supremacism and Apartheid that you don’t agree with such an assumed “right”, and oppose the violence, torture and massacres that preserving this “right” entails?

The differences are stark and easy to see:
Peace — or a Jewish state?
Universalism – or Zionism?
Ethnic supremacy — or Democracy?
Justice — or continual ethnic cleansing?

Frederick Doulgass observed, “Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.”

So … Jewish peace activists and groups: Where is your demand? Shall the Palestinians bear the burden of this racist “right to exist” by themselves? Or will you raise your voices and reject such a false right? How many more Palestinian babies bombed with white phosphorus will it take before you are moved to make such demands?

Alison Weir Supports Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends

Alison Weir, executive director of www.ifamericansknew.org, took time out of her busy schedule last weekend to lend her support to our vigil group. She showed up outside Beth Israel Congregation and enjoyed brief conversations with each of the vigilers present. She recognizes the value of street protests, and has spoken often about the principled dedication that JWPF has shown. We were honored to have her appear with us and pose for the following photograph:

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~hersko/Photos/CIMG1478.JPG

JWPF Returns the Favor

At least seven members of Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends attended an ad hoc action at the request of Ms. Weir — a visit to the Michigan Radio studios in Ann Arbor. Almost twenty activists turned out in support of Alison’s request that WUOM accept If Americans Knew as an “underwriter” (WUOM’s term for sponsor). The group was given a cold shoulder by a staff member who made one ludicrous claim after another. Alison asked to speak to anyone from the entire staff directory that she read to this woman, and was told – at 2:00 pm Monday – that nobody was available. The woman could not explain the ensuing appearance in the lobby of two staff members from the list who were not available. How embarrasking!

Planning Ahead

It looks like the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor will once again celebrate al-Nakba – the catastrophe inflicted upon 800,000 Palestinian people – as they were massacred and forced into becoming refugees at the hands of Jewish gangs 62 years ago.

This time the “Celebration” will honor “Israel” as the “Innovation Nation”. Pretty catchy phrase, eh? And certainly one that will easily obfuscate the underlying reality of such an event: the ethnic cleansing that was by design necessary for the creation of a Jewish supremacist state.

All are invited to protest this shameless display of Jewish arrogance, greed and power.

Date: May 2, 2010
Where: Jewish Community Center
2939 Birch Hollow Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Time: To be announced

Nine Vigilers
Henry Herskovitz
Jewish Witnesses for Peace and Friends
Asking “By What Right?” since 2003

*International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network
#

From AIPAC:

Dear Friend of Israel,

They’ve tried to destroy Israel through warfare.

They’ve tried to destroy Israel through suicide bombings.

They’ve tried to destroy Israel by firing thousands of rockets into Israeli cities.

Now, Israel’s enemies are launching another attack. And it’s going to succeed, unless we as pro-Israel Americans come to Israel’s defense.

Their new plan of attack ­ to delegitimatize Israel’s very right to exist – and this plan is well underway.

Just look at the Goldstone Report, which seeks to question Israel’s right as a sovereign nation to defend its citizens.

At no time in history, have we seen any other nation be condemned for taking defensive action after having more than 6,300 rockets and mortars launched on its cities.

And Goldstone is just the beginning.

Since 2006 alone, the U.N. Human Rights Council (led by some of the world’s leading human rights violators) has targeted 27 out of 34 censures against Israel.

Throughout these attacks on Israel’s legitimacy, the only country that has consistently stood by Israel’s side has been the United States.

Goldstone is a prime example of this. By a vote of 344-36, the U.S. House of Representatives issued a resolution that soundly rejected the findings of the report and called on the administration to oppose unequivocally any endorsement or further consideration by the U.N.

This stands in stark contrast to the European Parliament, which just last month(by a vote of 335-387) urged its member states to “monitor actively the implementation of recommendations included in the Goldstone Report.”

It is vital we ensure that consistent U.S. support for Israel continue, which is why I urge you to become a member of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee today.

For nearly 60 years, AIPAC has worked to make Israel more secure by ensuring American support remains strong.

By joining AIPAC, you help us work year-round with both Democratic and Republican political leaders to enact public policy that strengthens the vital U.S.-Israel relationship.

Please don’t delay. Join AIPAC and help us ensure continued U.S. support for the Jewish state.

Thank You,
[]
Jonathan E. Missner
Director of National Affairs and Development

P.S. Congress will soon consider the FY 2011 foreign aid budget, which includes $3 billion in security assistance for Israel. Please make a special donation today to ensure AIPAC has the resources to work with Congress in support of this critical security assistance Israel needs to protect her citizens.