Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
An Open Letter to the The Jewish Week, JCC and Foundation for Jewish Culture
As President of Artists 4 Israel, one of the small but vocal critics described in The Jewish Week’s Helping Jews Fight Fair, it is my duty to respond to the concerns expressed within this article.
In full disclosure, I am also a recipient of this same paper’s 36 Under 36 award, an award given, in no small part, for my work in creating an Israeli advocacy organization that is, to paraphrase, “decidedly conservative” in its “ardent defense” of Israel.
There are far too few organizations like Artists 4 Israel. Israel related groups have all adopted the critical, intellectual and righteous approach that their work must rise above petty politics and transcend opinion. These are admirable traits for an individual but not for an organization. In the name of what is, at best, equanimity and fairness, and, at worst, the nefarious sabotage of Israel haters operating like sleeper cells within the ranks of places like the JCC and the Foundation for Jewish Culture, these organizations pose far greater a threat to both Israel and to the honest discourse about Israel than do the organized, delegitimization shock troops who oppose this beautiful country. It is when we fail to call out the liars and apologists that we have “lost all.”
The anti-Israel groups have power, money, organization, strategy and, above all else, a complete lack of the infighting and slavish, guilty need to present all sides of an argument – even when they know one side to be misinformed, lying or created from hate – that characterizes and weakens the Israeli side. By opposing the enemies of Israel with the same fervor and fire that they use to attack it, we benefit all by providing two equal and competing sets of ideas. The definition of fairness is to choose between equals, not to have one side of ideas expressed and the other spilled, suggested and stumbled over. We create an opportunity for honest, unbiased dialogue by openly and proudly proclaiming our viewpoints and the historical facts that support them. To do less is to cede the argument, cede Israel and cede rational, fair, comprehensive discourse. You can be certain that there are no papers or articles within the anti-Israel community suggesting “core values” or “diverse opinions.” Such would get in the way of achieving their goal. A goal we should consider when preparing our response.
Indeed, as the Melton report indicates, the world and young Jews in particular respond best to a full and complete set of ideas. Let us provide them with one more in that set – an open, proud and avowed support for Israel. In our cynical age, the youth are far too aware of pandering and false fairness. They have grown up and tuned out of a Jewish religious culture that equivocated. For those who have re-found a connection through their ancestral homeland and the passionate allure of Zionism, let us not disregard them too with leaders who are uncertain, self-flagellating and cow-towing to any and all ideas before them.
Only then can we begin to repair the wounds of infighting and shape world opinion based on equal and opposing viewpoints.
Those in the Jewish and Israeli advocacy communities that are seeking strong leaders, let them find Artists 4 Israel. We first coined the term "culture war" over two years ago and are, today, actively fighting the BDS and PACBI. We can use your help.
This article posted on behalf of Craig Dershowitz
In full disclosure, I am also a recipient of this same paper’s 36 Under 36 award, an award given, in no small part, for my work in creating an Israeli advocacy organization that is, to paraphrase, “decidedly conservative” in its “ardent defense” of Israel.
There are far too few organizations like Artists 4 Israel. Israel related groups have all adopted the critical, intellectual and righteous approach that their work must rise above petty politics and transcend opinion. These are admirable traits for an individual but not for an organization. In the name of what is, at best, equanimity and fairness, and, at worst, the nefarious sabotage of Israel haters operating like sleeper cells within the ranks of places like the JCC and the Foundation for Jewish Culture, these organizations pose far greater a threat to both Israel and to the honest discourse about Israel than do the organized, delegitimization shock troops who oppose this beautiful country. It is when we fail to call out the liars and apologists that we have “lost all.”
The anti-Israel groups have power, money, organization, strategy and, above all else, a complete lack of the infighting and slavish, guilty need to present all sides of an argument – even when they know one side to be misinformed, lying or created from hate – that characterizes and weakens the Israeli side. By opposing the enemies of Israel with the same fervor and fire that they use to attack it, we benefit all by providing two equal and competing sets of ideas. The definition of fairness is to choose between equals, not to have one side of ideas expressed and the other spilled, suggested and stumbled over. We create an opportunity for honest, unbiased dialogue by openly and proudly proclaiming our viewpoints and the historical facts that support them. To do less is to cede the argument, cede Israel and cede rational, fair, comprehensive discourse. You can be certain that there are no papers or articles within the anti-Israel community suggesting “core values” or “diverse opinions.” Such would get in the way of achieving their goal. A goal we should consider when preparing our response.
Indeed, as the Melton report indicates, the world and young Jews in particular respond best to a full and complete set of ideas. Let us provide them with one more in that set – an open, proud and avowed support for Israel. In our cynical age, the youth are far too aware of pandering and false fairness. They have grown up and tuned out of a Jewish religious culture that equivocated. For those who have re-found a connection through their ancestral homeland and the passionate allure of Zionism, let us not disregard them too with leaders who are uncertain, self-flagellating and cow-towing to any and all ideas before them.
Only then can we begin to repair the wounds of infighting and shape world opinion based on equal and opposing viewpoints.
Those in the Jewish and Israeli advocacy communities that are seeking strong leaders, let them find Artists 4 Israel. We first coined the term "culture war" over two years ago and are, today, actively fighting the BDS and PACBI. We can use your help.
This article posted on behalf of Craig Dershowitz
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
hello tree, where is the forest?
If you want to understand the expression "missing the forest for the trees", then go ahead and read this odd article posted today. The author is asking that Ian McEwan (pictured above) not go to Israel to receive the Jerusalem Prize. This is a prestigious literature award given to foreign authors who "best expresses and promotes the idea of freedom of the individual in society" in an environment of "political and social turmoil."Yep it sure sounds like this pro-Israel, anti boycott, pro-apartheid is an ass for accepting an award based on his talents. However that description is totally wrong! This is a man who (wrongly) thinks that there are similarities "between east Jerusalemites and black South Africans under apartheid". This is a man who is for the boycott and by the author's account sounds pretty anti Israel.
Why am I defending him? Why am I in favor of him accepting his award? It's simple, because he won an award based on something he wrote. He defends himself extremely well in the article. He doesn't believe that an award ceremony should be politicized and he is right! It is an award based on merit on a topic that crosses all borders given in a land that cherishes a free voice whether or not is on it's side. I'd love to see an award for freedom presented in Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, or Gaza. The people in power there don't want/cherish/promote freedom they foster oppression.
The author's pathetic attempts to convince us (and Mr. McEwan) are just simplistic childhood bullying tactics. It boils down to argument that every other celebrity/fellow author/rapper (really?)/actor/singer isn't going to Israel so you shouldn't either. To which I'd reply "if all your friends jumped off a bridge..."
I say let him go get his award. Let him see the real Israel instead of the drivel spewed from it's lying detractors. Let him have a chance to change his mind and not stay home with his thumbs in his ears the way you want him to.
p.s. what sickens me the most the sentence with the word "pogrom" in it. Freaking ass.
p.p.s my favorite hypocritical part was...
The BDS insists that while art may change the hearts and minds of individuals "in the callous hands of politicians it is but a tin trophy."
because I'd take an Israel politician's tin trophy that promotes freedom than from a politician that promotes this dreck.
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