Israel's actions can only exacerbate antisemitism: They give the antisemites a convenient excuse for their prejudice.
But our government is facilitating Israel's atrocities against Palestinians by supplying it with the weapons to commit them and by expressing support for Israel's actions in the United Nations. If we ordinary American Jews, even the Establishment, merely call on the Israeli government to change its behavior, its leaders clearly won't listen. We also need to pressure our government to take meaningful action to stop the carnage.
The failure of Israel to see that its policy of war upon war is destroying its people and endangering Jews worldwide as well as innocent people in Gaza is horrendous. Thank you for your leadershiip in these dark days.
I'm all in for mounting a concerted campaign for all Jews in America of good conscience to exercise the tools the pro-democracy movement is using with effective results--phone call banks, letter writing, and other creative communication methods--aimed at our Jewish Community Council leaders, synagogue rabbis and executive directors, Jewish media, and other Jewish power centers. This statement of yours Jeremy can be our guide and script if you are not comfortable going off it to voice this message, calling for all Jews this message resonates with to join us. If not now, when?
I too would like to see this happen. The Israeli government is on a dangerous path, similar to that of the US with a "leader" who thinks he knows better than the will of his own people. The only concern would be that the Arab world might not abide by a treaty, however, given the situation, this is a much more logical course to preserve lives, save hostages, and bring needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Per your point "Which brings me to the need for American Jewish leadership. - Here’s a short resolution that the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations could issue..."
I noted on Friday that J Street are not a member of the Conference of Presidents. (I believe your application was rejected in 2014. Have you applied since?)
(My Friday post "I'm not exactly a massive advocate for, or defender of J Street; but unless they wouldn't agree to terms or conditions: their not being part of the @Conf_of_Pres
Thanks, Michael. J Street would welcome an invitation to join the Conference. We would apply again when we know we will be accepted. I think our voice could be an important addition.
Israel's nonstop butchery is so, so tragic. With Mossad having been sound asleep on October 7th, and Israeli intelligence missing in action, and the once-vaulted Iron Dome being porous at best, Netanyahu launched savagery that has stunned the world and inflamed it.
There is no way to protect innocent Jews who live outside of Israel and the USA; and who are forced to deny their "Jewishness" to stay safe. Anti-Semitism has reached levels globally that have not been seen since World War II, with much worse yet to come.
Of course Jeremy is correct: Israel has become a "pariah state," and there is a "moral stain" on Israel and all Israelis. Yet, Netanyahu cannot stop now because he faces prison for his many crimes.
Every Tuesday now, five intrepid and courageous Jews, myself not included, stand outside the Jewish Federation, whose vigil last Friday I attended, to make a solemn point that silence is not an option. They avoid rash rhetoric, but do appeal to the what Jeremy called the American Jewish "establishment" to stop its silence about the suffering and death being brought to Gaza by Israel.
Gideon exagerates: many but in a small minority are saying this publicly, exemplied by efforts to suppress Standing Together's actions holding signs of Gazan children. But he makes the point.
I continue to be profoundly disappointed that such resolutions as you have proposed have not come from the American Palestinian or Arab American community. Is there a JStreet in those communities? Are those pro peace voices being heard? Has JStreet partnered with those ( nonexistent?) organizations? Nor do I see the Sanders wing of the Democrats doing anything positive to solve this tragic conflict. Plenty of weapons resolutions to be sure, but what about rallying the “pro peace”community to cease the antisemitic, anti Zionist falsehoods. This morning we are reminded how dangerous this period is for the true peacemakers.
The notion that Trump would broker an equitable and just peace initiative in the region is belied by his administration’s untethered dream of turning Gaza into a seaside resort and, as Jared Kushner put it, pushing Gazans into the Negev desert. The nomination of Charles Kushner as Ambassador to France shows the American unwillingness to create peace in favor of making money.
Trump is missing just as badly. He should demand a cease-fire and stop providing weapons for war. He could apply enough pressure to bring about the peace that American and Israeli voters want. If this results in new elections in Israel, wonderful. If Netanyahu voluntarily makes and keeps a cease-fire agreement, he might possibly get enough votes in a new election to form a government without the right wing, which would enable him to govern humanely , bring the hostages home, and still avoid prosecurion. It depends on how willing the voters are to forgive him.
Perhaps I missed something, but when was Israel offered a deal for all the hostages back? Hard to have a "miss of the century" without something to miss.
Your leadership is inspiring and critical.
Israel's actions can only exacerbate antisemitism: They give the antisemites a convenient excuse for their prejudice.
But our government is facilitating Israel's atrocities against Palestinians by supplying it with the weapons to commit them and by expressing support for Israel's actions in the United Nations. If we ordinary American Jews, even the Establishment, merely call on the Israeli government to change its behavior, its leaders clearly won't listen. We also need to pressure our government to take meaningful action to stop the carnage.
The failure of Israel to see that its policy of war upon war is destroying its people and endangering Jews worldwide as well as innocent people in Gaza is horrendous. Thank you for your leadershiip in these dark days.
I'm all in for mounting a concerted campaign for all Jews in America of good conscience to exercise the tools the pro-democracy movement is using with effective results--phone call banks, letter writing, and other creative communication methods--aimed at our Jewish Community Council leaders, synagogue rabbis and executive directors, Jewish media, and other Jewish power centers. This statement of yours Jeremy can be our guide and script if you are not comfortable going off it to voice this message, calling for all Jews this message resonates with to join us. If not now, when?
I too would like to see this happen. The Israeli government is on a dangerous path, similar to that of the US with a "leader" who thinks he knows better than the will of his own people. The only concern would be that the Arab world might not abide by a treaty, however, given the situation, this is a much more logical course to preserve lives, save hostages, and bring needed humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Per your point "Which brings me to the need for American Jewish leadership. - Here’s a short resolution that the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations could issue..."
I noted on Friday that J Street are not a member of the Conference of Presidents. (I believe your application was rejected in 2014. Have you applied since?)
(My Friday post "I'm not exactly a massive advocate for, or defender of J Street; but unless they wouldn't agree to terms or conditions: their not being part of the @Conf_of_Pres
is a little strange. "Ideologically" @jstreetdotor's views are not that different from some other Conference members https://x.com/WashingtonViews/status/1923373422760878251
Thanks, Michael. J Street would welcome an invitation to join the Conference. We would apply again when we know we will be accepted. I think our voice could be an important addition.
Israel's nonstop butchery is so, so tragic. With Mossad having been sound asleep on October 7th, and Israeli intelligence missing in action, and the once-vaulted Iron Dome being porous at best, Netanyahu launched savagery that has stunned the world and inflamed it.
At the same time, efforts have been undertaken to snuff out free speech on college campuses and elsewhere, which would condemn such violence. See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2025/04/08/every-american-should-watch-this-video/ ("Every American Should Watch This Video")
There is no way to protect innocent Jews who live outside of Israel and the USA; and who are forced to deny their "Jewishness" to stay safe. Anti-Semitism has reached levels globally that have not been seen since World War II, with much worse yet to come.
Of course Jeremy is correct: Israel has become a "pariah state," and there is a "moral stain" on Israel and all Israelis. Yet, Netanyahu cannot stop now because he faces prison for his many crimes.
You lost me at “the American President cementing an economic and security deal”.
If you believe that trip had something to do with a meaningful policy, you have lost me.
Thank you Jeremy for this: https://jeremybenami.substack.com/p/the-miss-of-the-century.
Every Tuesday now, five intrepid and courageous Jews, myself not included, stand outside the Jewish Federation, whose vigil last Friday I attended, to make a solemn point that silence is not an option. They avoid rash rhetoric, but do appeal to the what Jeremy called the American Jewish "establishment" to stop its silence about the suffering and death being brought to Gaza by Israel.
Meanwhile, in Israel proper, Gideon Levy in Haaretz.com: Will No One Israeli Say End the War for Gaza's Sake? https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2025-05-25/ty-article-opinion/.premium/will-not-one-israeli-say-end-the-war-for-gazas-sake/00000197-0391-dbf9-a7f7-33b5f13b0000?gift=dc04f6a54aee4c69a682d4bf56eb1a79
Gideon exagerates: many but in a small minority are saying this publicly, exemplied by efforts to suppress Standing Together's actions holding signs of Gazan children. But he makes the point.
I continue to be profoundly disappointed that such resolutions as you have proposed have not come from the American Palestinian or Arab American community. Is there a JStreet in those communities? Are those pro peace voices being heard? Has JStreet partnered with those ( nonexistent?) organizations? Nor do I see the Sanders wing of the Democrats doing anything positive to solve this tragic conflict. Plenty of weapons resolutions to be sure, but what about rallying the “pro peace”community to cease the antisemitic, anti Zionist falsehoods. This morning we are reminded how dangerous this period is for the true peacemakers.
The notion that Trump would broker an equitable and just peace initiative in the region is belied by his administration’s untethered dream of turning Gaza into a seaside resort and, as Jared Kushner put it, pushing Gazans into the Negev desert. The nomination of Charles Kushner as Ambassador to France shows the American unwillingness to create peace in favor of making money.
Here’s one take on that issue, fwiw:
https://open.substack.com/pub/aircraftblue/p/france-to-kushner-go-back-to-new?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
It's small wonder that Israel is viewed as a pariah state globally, and Israelis are hated.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/outrage-as-opposition-party-leader-golan-says-israel-killing-babies-as-a-hobby-in-gaza/ ("Outrage as opposition party leader Golan says Israel ‘killing babies as a hobby’ in Gaza")
Trump is missing just as badly. He should demand a cease-fire and stop providing weapons for war. He could apply enough pressure to bring about the peace that American and Israeli voters want. If this results in new elections in Israel, wonderful. If Netanyahu voluntarily makes and keeps a cease-fire agreement, he might possibly get enough votes in a new election to form a government without the right wing, which would enable him to govern humanely , bring the hostages home, and still avoid prosecurion. It depends on how willing the voters are to forgive him.
Perhaps I missed something, but when was Israel offered a deal for all the hostages back? Hard to have a "miss of the century" without something to miss.
If only…..