to get the facts straight and understand what is happening in East Jerusalem.

Laurence

Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment.

agree with you that any hope for change in Palestine rests with the U.S., and that in turn depends on a radical turnaround in our domestic politics, which, as you correctly observe, is not going to happen so long as AIPAC has a bilateral, effectively bulletproof hold on congress. Even with the handful of MoCs who miraculously exhibit a measure of independent thought on the issue, the overall situation, with the huge flow of military contract money flowing out of here, to Israel, and back, makes the political challenge to Obama, and to the voices who he might listen to advocating for a sane and politically courageous policy, appear insurmountable. It’s not AIPAC alone. AIPAC’s job is easy — the political wind is at its back.

And, partly because that is true, I disagree with your statement that a change in our policy will come as a result of the American Jewish community. That community — and by that I mean the “Lobby,” which can be described as an association of many organizations — PACs, secular philanthropic, community and educational organizations, religious denomination groups, think tanks — who claim to speak for American Jews, will be the last to turn around. I believe that the forces that will change the political wind in this country will emerge from the churches. Although they are far from perfect, the analogies to the movements that brought about racial equality here and brought down the Apartheid government in South Africa are compelling. Those movements originated in and were led by the churches. In this case, the U.S. mainstream denominations, as well as the evangelical churches (yes!), finding that they can be true to their broad and deep activist social justice agenda, and in collaboration with global movements, and with Palestinian secular and Christian entities (see my blog posting on the Palestinian Kairos document) will energize and drive a global social movement to challenge the legitimacy of Israel and force our government’s hand in forcing Israel to change course. This is where the American churches, by and large, want to go. This is what my experience has been talking with them and working with them, on local levels for sure but also at the denominational levels. This movement will grow. A major issue in realizing this potential is removing the barriers for Christians of the fear of appearing anti-Semitic, and reluctance to dynamite the work of 60 years of interfaith reconciliation. Removing that barrier is one of the main reasons I wrote my book.

By the way, I don’t see this as the most likely scenario. The most likely next step I see is an attempt to impose a “two state solution” that will be in reality a legitimization of the facts on the ground that exist today. The result will resemble more a single apartheid state than the fantasized “two states living side by side in peace and security.” And it won’t work because of the Palestinian resistance that will result (not from the client government in Ramallah but from forces within and outside of Palestine), and eventually we will be on to the next phase, which will begin the process of deconstructing the Jewish state entity as it now exists and is conceived. This, by the way, will not be the “destruction” of Israel, but the only hope for its survival. And this is why I think it all the more important to focus on the role of the American churches, now, to begin to build the momentum for advocacy and civil actions (including economic measures), as well as to continue to strengthen their connections with civil society elements in Israel and in Palestine as they cope with the very difficult times they are in and that are coming.

all the best,

Mark

My sister-in-law, Rev. Nancy Hildebrand, forwarded this to me. For about 37 years I directed the US Foreign Policy program at American University’s School of International Service. I am now retired, except for an occasional course at the U. of California, Santa Cruz. The Palestine issue and many features of the US-Israel relationship concern me deeply. I wrote several articles, especially on the latter topic in the Middle East Journal, Foreign Policy, J. of Palestine Studies, etc. I share your, and Rabbi Ascherman’s, anguish — and for the many of the same reasons. To be sure, Palestinians are being brutalized, but those who care about Israel’s future should also be gravely concerned. I could be more specific than Rabbi Ascherman about why Israel is headed for disaster, but he is essentially correct. While I do care about the welfare and security of Palestinians, other Arabs, and Israelis, my primary concern is what this means for the United States. The outlook is gloomy. Briefly, without Arab/Palestinian “peace” — and wholly apart from multiple US misteps in Iraq, Yemen, Afgan., and elsewhere — US security and other interests will be seriously threatened. Before there can be positive change, US policy toward Israel must change. That requires domestic political change in the US. That, in turn must come primarily from the American Jewish community. Sadly (for the nation’s welfare), your/our perspective is not shared by AIPAC, JINSA, AJC, ADL, wealthy political donors and others who “count” . The eventual results of this reality can be forseen abroad and, ominously, at home. They are not pretty.

I really do not wish to give a lecture — which a reasonable person could rightly demand to support my sweeping assertions. I fully understand how difficult, and how admirable, your work is. You should know, as you may, that throughout the US government at the working (not political) level (men and women in intelligence and foreign policy who work these issues daily) there is overwhelming support for a fundamental change in the US-Israel relationship. Congress and the most powerful lobby affecting US foreign policy rule out change.

Cordially,

Duncan

Prof. Duncan L. Clarke

“Dedicated to the Children of Shimon Hazadik Neighborhood” from Dr. Rubin Brecher and family of Lawrence, New York.

According to Jewish tradition, Shimon Hazadik (which means ‘The righteous’) was the High Priest at the time of Alexander the Great.

He reminded the people of what’s important in the world and he used to say: “On three things the world stands: the Torah, on Service [prayer] and on acts of kindness.

Rest of:
“The Many Layers of NaHalat Shimon beg the question: Where’s the money coming from?” @

http://wearewideawake.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1357&Itemid=223