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36
May 13 • 2010
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community to speak out. It
must not allow itself to be
intimidated by well inten-
ay 12 (Iyar 28)
tioned, but ultimately dan-
marked 43 years
gerous voices whose resis-
since the Israeli
tance to genuine progress
army's triumphal entry into
towards peace endangers the
the Old City of Jerusalem.
future of Israel as a Jewish
This is certainly a moment
and democratic state.
for the Jewish people to
Jerusalem is the spiritual
celebrate the restoration of
heart of the Jewish people
Judaism's holiest sites to our
David M.
— the whole Jewish people.
people.
Gordis
But Jerusalem belongs to
Recently, however, rather
Special
the whole Jewish people, not
than providing a moment
Commentary
to one side of the political
for us to come together to
spectrum. What could be
celebrate our spiritual pat-
more politically offensive than using
rimony, Jerusalem Day has been seized
our attachment to Jerusalem's holy sites
upon by some as an occasion to divide
to forestall progress on resolving the
us, to push aside those who are pro-
Israeli-Palestinian conflict? What can
Israel and pro-peace and to impugn
be more dangerous to Israel's future
their devotion to Israel. We are told
than placing obstacles on the road to
that we must either adopt an uncom-
peace through a two-state solution that
promising view on the future status
respects the differing narratives of two
of Jerusalem including its conquered
peoples?
Palestinian neighborhoods or be writ-
The ongoing conflict threatens not
ten out of the pro-Israel community.
only our values, but also the State of
The reality of Jerusalem is complex
Israel itself. The demographic realities
and has been throughout its his-
indicate that it will soon be impos-
tory. The "official" view that presents
Jerusalem as seamless and undivided is sible to maintain a state that is both
demographic and Jewish. Israel's
inaccurate; it is misleading and uncon-
structive to accord the same measure of security and prosperity can only be
achieved through a negotiated two-
holiness granted to the Western Wall to
state
solution, whereby a peaceful and
every new Jewish suburb or Palestinian
viable
Palestinian state lives alongside
village that is added to the city by
a
secure
Israel. Jerusalem can remain
expansion.
undivided
and serve as the capital of
Furthermore, the notion that
two
independent
countries. This is only
Jerusalem can be both undivided and
solution
that
is
compatible
with both
shared is viewed as naive; those who
our interests and our values and will
suggest such an alternative are accused
of disloyalty or even of endangering the restore Israel's standing in the interna-
tional community.
State of Israel itself. If we want to talk
A majority of American Jews knows
peace, we're told, Jerusalem must not
this
to be true. "Jerusalem" means "city
be on the table. But, of course, this pre-
of
peace"
and "city of wholeness:' We
cludes genuine negotiations.
need to come together on Jerusalem
In recent weeks, some in the "pro-
Day to support a peace, strategic, spiri-
Israel" camp have made clear that
tual and ethical, which leads to a res-
they have little interest in promoting
toration of relationships and an end to
substantive peace talks, including any
the demonization of the other.
discussion of the future of Jerusalem,
On this Jerusalem Day, I pray with
which in the eyes of the world remains
the psalmist: "Pray for the well-being of
to be resolved. This has become part
Jerusalem; May those who love you be
of a larger pattern of resistance to any
at peace. May there be wellbeing within
progress towards peace, under the false
your ramparts, peace in your citadels.
assumption that the status quo is ben-
For the sake of my kin and friends, I
eficial for Israel and can be sustained.
pray for your well-being; for the sake of
The assertion by President Obama
the house of the Lord our God, I seek
that progress toward peace between
your good."
Israel and the Palestinians is vital both
for Israel and for the United States is
claimed as evidence that Obama is hos- Rabbi David Gordis is former president of
Hebrew College, Newton Centre, Mass., and
tile to Israel.
a member of J Street's rabbinic cabinet.
It's time for the pro-Israel, pro-peace