Understanding Israel
At The American Scene, Noah Millman has posted a very smart reaction to Peter Beinart's latest on Gaza:
Beinart [...] wants American Jews to pressure Israel directly. It seems to me, though, that American Jews have very little to bargain with, emotionally, in this contest. Why would an Israeli listen to a lecture from an American Jew about the moral failings of a country his or her children are not willing to risk their lives to defend? And if the argument is that, if Israel doesn’t change, then American Jews will grow alienated from her, an Israeli might well answer: really? Is that a threat? You want me to care whether you love me or not? The very fact that you consider threatening to withhold your love proves that you already don’t love me enough for me to care.
Indeed. Be sure to note Noah's unsettling warning at the end.
Photo: Tel Aviv university students support IDF and Israel against Gaza Flotilla. Courtesy Lilachd via Flickr.
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May '10
Re: Understanding Israel
Israel is by origin and by continued self-declaration a refuge for Jews worldwide. I expect Israelis listen to American Jews like one listens to a third-cousin, reevaluating each day if they're willing to acknowledge such a distant relation as family.