Letters, June 12, 2009

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Backed by Obama

MEMO Mr Sztainbok (AJN 05/06). It may well be that in their defence of the play Seven Jewish Children, as well as more generally in their endless calls for a negotiated resolution to the Middle East dilemma, members of the Australian Jewish Democratic Society represent only a minority of Jewish opinion. But last week in Cairo, Barack Obama made it clear that this mere handful of Jews now has the backing, at least in words, of the most influential nation on the planet. It was a long time coming, but well worth the wait. 

STEVE BROOK
Elwood, Vic

Red herring

PRESIDENT Barack Obama, along with the rest of the world, continues to fall neatly into traps laid by the Arab leadership.¬†First there was the mantra of “the occupation made me do it”, which the Arab world used to attempt to justify their violence against Israelis, but which totally overlooked the fact that the Israeli presence in the disputed territories was entirely consequential to the relentless suicide attacks by Palestinian Islamists.¬†Now it is the issue of settlements that has become the public face of any resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, but why?¬†

The whole issue of settlements is a red herring -— they can be pulled down any time (as they were in Gaza), and final borders can still be negotiated regardless of where settlements may lie.¬†If Arabs can live in Israel, why couldn’t some Jews live in Palestine, if that’s what they choose?¬†When final borders are drawn in return for genuine peace, individuals would then need to decide which state they want to live in, a much more democratic option whereby any population movement would be natural and voluntary.

The status of the settlements is certainly one of the issues for negotiation in resolving the conflict, but it is currently a carefully constructed diversion to blame any lack of progress on Israel rather than focusing on the heart of the problem, namely the Arab world’s rejection of Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state.

ALAN FREEDMAN
St Kilda East, Vic

 

Attacks on Indians

I REFER to the statement by Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) president John Searle condemning the attacks on Indians as well as The AJN editorial affirming that these hate crimes are an issue of concern across our multicultural society.¬†I refer also to Viewpoint by Deborah Stone, research director of the B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission, stating that as Jews we must also offer our expertise as a community to a fellow minority under attack (AJN 05/06).

I find these statements by leading spokespersons of the Jewish community reassuring because they demonstrate an understanding of the fact that anti-Semitism is a subset of the wider problem of racism and that we, the Jewish community, with the experience of suffering from and combating anti-Semitism, are well placed to advise and assist other minorities in a similar situation.

ROBIN ROTHFIELD
Fairfield, Vic

 

Change the system

THE recent debate regarding community representation and democratisation of the “election process” is most welcome.¬†It is true that unfortunately many in the community are indifferent to these issues -— somewhat satisfied with the status quo.¬†Then there are those who are in the leadership clique, and their supporters -— these are relatively few in number. But it is undeniable that there is a growing movement for change.

The latter group has been feeling marginalised, unrepresented and, frankly, fed up. Many who fall into this category are the younger generation.¬†They want to be involved in the “process”, but feel powerless and, all too often, rejected. Some of those who have become involved at one stage or another have, for various reasons, left feeling disillusioned.¬†Just to emphasise, it’s not necessarily about the views of the current leadership. It’s more about the lack of democracy, representation, community engagement/consultation, transparency and accountability.

There are those who claim we should be much more appreciative of lay leaders as they give so generously of their time. In some cases this may be true, but anecdotal evidence of their leadership suggests that genuine questions may be raised as to the motivations of these leaders. 

Incidents reported include a lay leader suggesting to his senior professional that his primary role is “to make the chairman and the board look good”, while another instructing his senior professional to meet an agenda that promotes his personal and political aspirations.¬†Many are indeed willing to step up to the plate but under different conditions. It is time to consider fundamental changes to the current system.

MANNY WAKS
Bruce, ACT

 

Thanking the community

As Minister Assisting the Premier on Multiculural Affaris, I am proud of the Brumby Government’s decision to amend the Sentencing Act to reflect our absolute rejection of, and condemnation for, all hate-based crime.¬†The amendments will require judges to take into account hatred for, or prejudice against, a particular group as an aggravating factor when sentencing.

These amendments send a clear message that attacks based on race or religion will not be tolerated in Victoria.¬†I would like to publicly acknowledge and thank the Jewish community, in particular John Searle and Geoffrey Zygier of the Jewish Community Council of Victoria and Mr Menachem Vorchheimer for their hard work and strong advocacy in relation to this issue.¬†There is more work to be done and the Brumby Government will continue to consider a range of reforms in relation to hate-based crime, including seeking advice on the broader issue of whether there needs to be hate crime offences.¬†I thank Victoria’s Jewish community for their contribution thus far and look forward to working with you on future reform.

James Merlino MP
Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs

 

Hateful cartoon

THE Age’s Petty cartoon of Monday, June 8, repeats the ancient anti-Semitic shibboleth claiming Jewish money dictates world power.¬†It displays an outrageous, insensitive and hostile editorial approach that cannot be ignored.¬†No editorial excuse or journalist’s/cartoonist’s clear “intention” can be proffered as was the case with The Age’s anti-Semitic Michael Backman article in January. The cartoon’s intent is crystal clear.

GARY MAX
Bentleigh, Vic

 

Open your eyes

TOM Wolkenberg (AJN 05/06) argues for the early dismantling of the Yesha settlements as a prerequisite for the so-called two-state solution. He is in good company. Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and half the world are waxing hysterical over the Israeli settlements as if they were the major impediment to Middle East peace. 

They are all being rather cavalier in their treatment of the historical record. In 1948, when there were no settlements, the Arab world set out to destroy the nascent Jewish State.¬†In 1968, when there were no settlements, Article 15 of the newly written Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) charter, which has never been abrogated, stated, in part, “The liberation of Palestine, from an Arab viewpoint, is a national duty.”¬†

In 2000, Palestinian Arabs were offered most of Judea and Samaria plus a capital in Jerusalem and replied with a deadly intifada. Since then, both Hamas and Fatah, the two major Palestinian Arab factions, have been able to agree on one thing — their refusal to recognise Israel as a Jewish state.¬†Recently, the PLO Ambassador to Lebanon, Abbas Zaki, said on the Arabic broadcaster ANB TV: “With the two-state solution … Israel will collapse, because if they get out of Jerusalem, what will become of all the talk about the Promised Land and the Chosen People?¬†

What will become of all the sacrifices they made – just to be told to leave? They consider Jerusalem to have a spiritual status. The Jews consider Judea and Samaria to be their historic dream. If the Jews leave those places, the Zionist idea will begin to collapse. It will regress of its own accord. Then we will move forward.”¬†The settlements are not the issue and never have been. To paraphrase Bill Woodfull’s famous 1933 Bodyline quote: There are two sides out there, but only one of them is serious about peace.¬†It is high time that some who call themselves Israel’s friends opened their eyes to that reality.

MERV MORRIS
St Kilda East, Vic

 

Looking for balance

I DISAGREE with Fania Oz-Salzberger (AJN 06/05) who argues Jewish left-wing criticism of Israel outside Israel is no different to Israeli Left criticism within Israel.¬†There is a huge difference between, let’s say, Amos Oz criticising his own government and the Loewensteins, Finkelsteins or the Kasrils criticising the Israeli government outside of Israel where anti-Zionism has merged into anti-Semitism.¬†Why must left-wing Jews in the Diaspora add fuel to the fire and try to convince us it is in Israel’s best interests? How so?

Oz-Salzberger is correct when she says much of Israelis’ criticism of their own government is pounced on by anti-Zionists who use it to delegitimise Israel. Each time left-wing Jews here criticise Israel and pro-Israel organisations, the criticism is seized by Palestinian and socialists to be used as propaganda to further demonise Israel and Jews.¬†How can Oz-Salzberger claim that that left-wing constant one-sided condemnation of Israel’s policies in mainstream media, local Zionist organisations and their representatives help Israel’s cause?¬†

If Left-leaning Jewish academics, journalists and human rights activists were truly concerned about events in the Middle East, they would be equally condemning Palestinian, Arab violence and their intransigence as nobody else is.¬†Obviously this does not mean equating Palestinian/Arab terrorist attacks with Israelis actions of self-defence — which the Jewish Left often does.¬†We never see letters to the editor, opinion pieces, calls for boycotts, petitions, demonstrations and interviews on SBS/ABC singularly condemning Palestinians by left-wing Jews — only criticism of Israel .¬†The Jewish Left is over-represented in academia and Israel’s side is not being fairly addressed. Nobody is asking for anyone to be silenced, only that there be balance.

MICHAEL BURD
Toorak, Vic

 

Exposing the real extremists

PRESIDENT Barack Obama’s speech was a masterpiece of logical steps to several distinct and inescapable conclusions — from Afghanistan to Iraq, democracy, women and importantly for this community, Israel and Palestine.¬†President Obama condemned settlement expansion, Hamas attacks and used the word “Palestine”, saying there must be two secure states.

The obstacles to peace in the Middle East are Palestinian violence, Israeli expansionism and the ongoing Palestinian humanitarian crisis.¬†Opponents of President Obama’s speech are out of step with world opinion. While Hamas and Iran responded less than enthusiastically, they left the door open. Nearly everyone else has welcomed the speech.¬†It was so important, that Prime Minister Netanyahu had to muzzle his vociferous ministers until he could develop a measured response. Will Israeli advocacy groups here show similar restraint?

The right-wing, which describes centrists and pacifists as “extremists” bent on national suicide, is the real obstacle to a safe homeland for Jews. Note that Obama’s next stop was Buchenwald and his clarity that the Holocaust was undeniable.¬†That speech, like Presidents George H Bush and Bill Clinton’s peacemaking with Rabin and Arafat, is what Jewish dissenters support. It is everything Likudniks and similarly-minded Jews everywhere oppose.

If we are “extremists” at least we have the US on our side. But we have always enjoyed the support of half of Israel and in the 1990s up to 70 per cent of Israel and Palestine supported a peaceful resolution. The hot and cold war warriors are the real extremists.

DAVID LANGSAM
Flemington, Vic

 

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