OTHER VIEWS

New Report Should Be Ignored

I

f the Jewish Agency for Israel,
which is about to release a mam-
moth report on the relationship
between Israel and the diaspora, is
looking for a title, it might consider
"Chutzpah."
According to an executive summa-
ry released to the news media ahead
of the full report, the agency makes
numerous recommendations but the
one that catches the eye — or
should — advises that Israel should
consider the needs and welfare of
diaspora Jews in formulating its
security policies.
Yes, that's what the agency is
advising and it is doing so with a
straight face.
Reporting on the study in an edi-
torial, the Forward quoted the report
as follows:
"Seemingly permanent turmoil in
the Middle East continuously polar-
izes attention in a dynamic world,
tarnishing Israel's image and interna-
tional standing, and adding pressure
on diaspora Jews."
Those poor diaspora Jews.

Bed Falbaum, author and former
political reporter, is a Farmington
Hills public relations executive who
teaches journalism part time at
Wayne State University in Detroit.

While Israelis have had to worry
about the lives of their families and
children — wondering daily whether
they will return safely from school
— Israel ought to consider the
"additional pressure" on diaspora Jews.
How would this work in practice?
Let us consider this scenario: Israeli
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon con-
ducts a cabinet meeting at which, let
us say, its members consider the con-
troversial barrier, the withdrawal
from Gaza, assassinations of terror-
ists or other security measures.
But suddenly, a cabinet member
interjects: "Wait a minute. Will the
political fallout of whatever measures
we adopt put added pressure on
those living in West Bloomfield,
Farmington Hills and New York as
well as Canada and other countries?
"We must consider that. We need
to take some risks so diaspora Jews
feel politically comfortable."
And, of course, the study implies
if we did that, the anti-Semites
might be more responsive. They
might like us more. (Don't we ever
learn?)
For those kinds of studies we pay
hundreds of thousands of dollars and
expend an inordinate amount of
energy.
It reminds one of the recommen-
dation once made by Morton Klein,
Zionist Association of America presi-

dent, who once argued in a
destruction of Israel since its
national magazine article that
founding. But, some in the
diaspora Jews should have a
diaspora respond, we send
vote on policies deciding the
our money and conduct mis-
fate of Jerusalem. This is the
sions to Israel. That should
ultimate in the absentee bal-
give us a voice.
lot.
Wrong. One hopes contri-
In Detroit last week for a
butions and mission travel
speaking engagement, Klein
are made as gestures of sup-
BE RL
told me he did not recall
port and good will — not in
FALB AUM
suggesting a vote on
return for a political quid
Corn munity
Jerusalem — although he
quo pro. I give to a variety
Persp ective
may have done so — but
of charities in the U.S., not
added that Israel is the care-
because I expect a voice in
taker of the land for all Jews.
their administration but because I
"I am not the first to say that,"
believe they need and deserve help.
Klein said. "David Ben-Gurion was.
One gives — or should give —
He said all Jews must be taken into
without strings.
account when deciding the fate of
The Forward reported the report
the land."
was prepared by the agency "clumsi-
He, however, differed strongly
ly named" Jewish People Policy
with the conclusion of the study,
Planning Institute. It was chaired by
which suggests diaspora involvement Dennis Ross, former U.S. Middle
in security considerations.
East special envoy. Given his record,
Let's be clear about this: Israel
that explains some of this report.
needs to do what it needs to do to
But it was not only clumsily
assure its security. Those whose lives named; the report has clumsily
are not at stake have no voice in that thought-out recommendations.
decision — and should not have a
So let's hope that this study suffers
voice. If we pay the price of being
the fate of most studies: It will never
"uncomfortable" in our American
be read but gather dust on some
suburban homes or elsewhere, so be
bookshelf.
it.
That, unfortunately, is the best we
Our blood and the lives of our
can hope for.
children are not in danger daily from
Arab enemies dedicated to the

❑

Presbyterians Got It Wrong

New York
arlier this month, the 493
delegates to the General
Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church (USA) adopted a series of
deeply troubling "overtures" (their
term for policy statements).
The PC-USA General Assembly
defeated an attempt to cut off fund-
ing for "messianic" congregations,
which target Jews for proselytizing
and conversion. It condemned the
Israeli security fence, and, in an
overture supporting the Geneva
peace accords, called for divestment
from companies doing business in
Israel.
One of the rabbis I spoke to after
the vote observed that, when taken

E

Mark J. Pelavin, director of the

JN

8/27
2004

34

Commission on Interreligious Affairs of
Reform Judaism and the associate direc-
tor of the Religious Action Center of
Reform Judaism, is originally from Flint.

together, the refusal to suspend
funding for proselytizing of Jews
and the statement opposing the
security barrier suggest that the
church believes that "Jewish souls
are worth saving, but not Jewish
lives."
These statements reveal a signifi-
cant chasm separating the Jewish
community and the Presbyterian
Church (USA). But, however tempt-
ing it may be to entrench ourselves
behind defensive and divisive rheto-
ric — for the sake of Israel, our
long-standing friendship with the
Presbyterians and our common val-
ues and concerns, we must strive to
mend bridges rather than burn
them.
Sadly, with one very important
exception, none of these gestures is
really new. PC-USA, like many of
the mainline Protestant denomina-
tions, claims to be "even-handed" in
its approach to the Israeli-

Palestinian conflict. Yet by
equating terrorist acts com-
mitted against innocent civil-
ians with legitimate Israeli
military actions, it ignores
the very security on which
Israel depends. One can be a
critic of particular policies of
the Israeli government, or of
specific terror-fighting tac-
tics, without falling into the
trap of moral equivalency.

Where is the overture
demanding true political
reform in the Palestinian
Authority? And where are
the overtures divesting from
countries with far, far
greater human rights abuses
than the democratic country
of Israel: Myanmar, North
MARK J.
Korea, China, Iran?
PELAVIN
It has long been a linchpin
Special
Commentary of doves in Israel and their
supporters around the world
that the more economically
and
militarily
robust Israel felt itself
What About Palestinians?
to be, the more willing it was to
What is new, and therefore most
take risks for peace when the time
troubling, is the call for divestment.
came
about. An Israeli economy
PC-USA has set a double standard
weakened by divestment undercuts
by singling out Israel for economic
that willingness, and if shaped to
and political sanctions. Where is the
include military contractors, divest-
PC-USA overture on holding
ment
could weaken Israel's security.
accountable the Palestinian
Although I know that many within
Authority officials who facilitate ter-
PC-USA earnestly seek a peaceful
rorism through the misuse of
resolution to the conflict, its
Palestinian and international funds?

