Why the Left should be Pro-Israel

[littlebuddy]

8 Reasons Leftists Should be Pro-Israel
by Alan Krinsky, The Huffington Post, July 20, 2010
1. Human Rights. The Left fights for human rights in the world. Even if one thinks Israel or its soldiers guilty of human rights violations [[and I am not willing at the outset to grant this point), there is no international or historical comparison that could reasonably rank Israel among the worst criminals of the world or of history. Whether we look at the scale of the conflict, the numbers of lives lost, or the treatment of the press or of dissidents, there are far too many examples of bloodshed and persecution dwarfing anything done by Israel against the Palestinians over the last four decades since the Six Day War, when Israel was attacked by its neighbors. Even Arab treatment of Palestinians, such as in Jordan's Black September massacre, caused thousands of deaths, possibly more in 10 days than in four decades of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And how can we compare Israel to Mugabe's Zimbabwe, or the Chinese crackdown on Tibet and Tiananmen? Or the disappearances and death squads of Latin America Square or the killing fields of Pol Pot? Let alone the genocide pursued by Hitler or Stalin's murderous reign? Let us be clear: genocide is the attempt to exterminate an entire people and culture; this is not what has happened to the Palestinians, and it is not the goal of Israeli policy. By contrast, the explicit aim of Hamas is to eliminate Israel. So, if we support human rights and oppose persecution, ought we not first to focus our efforts on the places where we find the worst situations? Can anyone rationally claim that among these places, let alone the most horrendous of all, is a small nation on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea?

2. Internationalism. Leftists tend to support internationalism. One would think that the United Nations would be the world body most dedicated to furthering this aim. But how is it that Israel, this small nation, has become such a central concern? From 2003-2010, there have been more than 900 human rights actions against Israel at the U.N.; the next closest is Sudan at just under 400. Israel is the only member of the U.N. to be excluded from any of the five regional groups. And should not all on the Left oppose the absurdity of the so- called Human Rights Council, whose members include such paragons of humanitarianism as China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Kyrgyzstan? How can Leftists stand silent when the Turkish Prime Minister denounces Israel for human rights crimes while then promising that the Kurds will "drown in their own blood," in a conflict with human rights abuses on both sides and tens of thousands individuals killed? If Gaza is not the ideal place to live, if the Gazans are suffering, nevertheless the photos in The New York Times and elsewhere and the testimony of reporters clearly demonstrate that Gazans are not starving, their store shelves are not empty, whether for food or consumer goods; as difficult as the situation may be, it is simply not the pinnacle of human rights disasters, and Israel is thus not deserving of international condemnation above all other nations in the world.

3. Peace. Leftists want peace. In the Middle East and elsewhere. The polls make clear that, overwhelmingly, Israelis desire peace with their neighbors; the difficult sacrifices, including the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza make this evident. Israelis are prepared for a secure, two-state solution, to live side-by-side in peace. Meanwhile, the stated goal of its enemies is to end its existence. A simple thought-experiment should make the matter starkly clear: If tomorrow Hamas and other Palestinian groups unilaterally put down their weapons, what would follow? Peace. If Israelis unilaterally put down their weapons, what would follow? Millions of dead or exiled Jews. Anyone on the Left who does not recognize this is living in denial. Leftists should support peace and not live in denial.

4. Anti-Authoritarianism. Leftists oppose authoritarianism and dictatorship and instead support popular, democratic rule. Israel maintains a vibrant, parliamentary democracy, with a broad range of views represented, much more so than in the United States, for example. Indeed, Arabs parties and Communists have long had representatives voted into the Israeli Knesset. Can we imagine such representation, as well as the freedom of assembly and freedom of speech in Israel's Arab neighbors? In the Gaza ruled by Hamas? In Egypt or Syria or Saudi Arabia? By opposing Israel and supporting groups like Hamas, the Left is not supporting a liberation struggle but rather the effort to replace the Middle East's only democracy with yet another repressive dictatorship. Do Leftists really desire such an outcome? How can the one major effort to boycott, divest, and sanction be aimed at a democratic nation like this? As Bernard Henri-Levy has written at the Huffington Post of the "Confusion of an era when we combat democracies as though they were dictatorships or fascist States. This maelstrom of hatred and madness is about Israel. But it also concerns, as we should be well aware, some of the most precious things established in the movement of ideas in the last thirty years, especially on the left, and these are thus imperiled."

5. Human Dignity and Equality. The Left fights for the values of dignity and equality. Are these traits exemplified more by Israel or its neighbors? Look at how much Israelis value the life of a single soldier, in the willingness to trade hundreds of prisoners for one soldier, and even to trade prisoners to recover their dead for proper burial. Look at the rules of engagement of the Israeli Defense Forces, at how the IDF calls and leaflets civilians to warn them; does any other military do such a thing? In terms of equality and human rights, compare the state of women's and gay and lesbian rights in Israel with that in the rest of the Middle East. And in terms of human dignity, do people on the Left think so little of Palestinian dignity that they are willing to claim Palestinians have "no choice" but to turn themselves into homicidal-suicidal bombers to kill Israeli children? Can we not expect more of people? Treating Palestinians like helpless victims does less than recognize their human dignity.

6. Anti-Discrimination. Leftists oppose sexism, racism, and any similar sort of discrimination. And so, Leftists do or ought to oppose anti-Semitism in the same way. And yet, Leftists too often give a pass to anti-Semitism masked as anti-Zionism or anti-Israel sentiment. The playwright David Mamet has written in the Huffington Post as follows: "Yet most of the Western Press, European and American, pictures Israel as, somehow the aggressor, and the Israelis as somehow inhuman, and delighting in blood." As Mamet has elaborated in his book The Wicked Son: Anti-Semitism, Self-Hatred, and the Jews, this is nothing less than a reworking of the old Blood Libel against the Jews--except this time, instead of being accused of using non- Jewish blood to bake matzah, the Jews are accused of spilling blood for no reason other than gratuitous pleasure. Leftists ought to be vigilant in distinguishing between constructive criticism of Israel and dehumanizing caricatures of Jews.

7. Self-Defense. Only the most uncompromising pacifists oppose the right to self-defense, and certainly most Leftists uphold this right. At least when Palestinians are doing the defending. Why are Israelis exempt from this right? How many Leftists would sit idly by while rockets rained down on their towns and families, with their children traumatized? And if we said, oh, but people are only killed occasionally, would that minimize your commitment to protect your family? Only Jews are expected to lay down their weapons and offer their throats. How dare the Jews have the chutzpah to fight back?!

8. Progress. We want movement on Palestinian-Israeli and Arab-Israeli peacemaking. Yet, demonizing Israel, singling it out, as is done at the UN and on college campuses will do little to advance peace. We all know, have all known for decades the basic outlines of a peace settlement. The Israelis have been prepared for this and have prepared their citizens. The Left should be pressuring Palestinians to accept peace and to stop teaching their children that Jews are monsters after their blood. This sort of pressure might bring some progress.

It was long ago time for Leftists to tear down the poster that features Israel as the demon-child of human rights abuse and repression. It is time for Leftists to become outraged not over Israel, but over the distortions and demonization of Israel on college campuses and at the United Nations and throughout the media and politics. It is time for Leftists to reject the treatment of Israel as a pariah, or Jews as bloodthirsty murderers, and time instead to welcome Israel into the community of nations as a full member, subject to the same criticism and praise as any other nation.

[jt1]

I think the first step is for Israel to [[a) quit expanding borders by stealing land in the name of building 'settlements' and [[b) quit creating blockades that choke off any access to a respectble living for many palestinian communities.

Sorry, if someone steals my land, chases me into a small area, then closes off all roads leading into/out of where they pushed me to I would be upset and the international community would be upset as well.

I think the biggest question we need to ask is why does a significant number of countries throughout the world see Israel as the aggressor and a significant reason for unrest in the Middle East.

[Detroitnerd]

Who wrote this claptrap? Dershowitz?

[rb336]

talk about tortured apologetics!

8 Reasons Leftists Should be Pro-Israel
by Alan Krinsky, The Huffington Post, July 20, 2010
1. Human Rights. The Left fights for human rights in the world. Even if one thinks Israel or its soldiers guilty of human rights violations [[and I am not willing at the outset to grant this point), there is no international or historical comparison that could reasonably rank Israel among the worst criminals of the world or of history.

so despite the horrible treatment of Palestinian natives at the hands of these europeans, since they are not among the worst in history, we should side with them?

2. Internationalism.

How can Leftists stand silent when the Turkish Prime Minister denounces Israel for human rights crimes while then promising that the Kurds will "drown in their own blood," in a conflict with human rights abuses on both sides and tens of thousands individuals killed?

so this absurdity absolves the Israelies of their bad actions?

3. Peace.

Leftists want peace. In the Middle East and elsewhere. The polls make clear that, overwhelmingly, Israelis desire peace with their neighbors;

Lots of talk, yet they keep electing the most militant leaders, many of whom were considered terrorists prior to the Israeli state.

4. Anti-Authoritarianism.

Leftists oppose authoritarianism and dictatorship and instead support popular, democratic rule. Israel maintains a vibrant, parliamentary democracy, with a broad range of views represented, much more so than in the United States, for example.

This one I agree with

5. Human Dignity and Equality.

The Left fights for the values of dignity and equality. Are these traits exemplified more by Israel or its neighbors? Look at how much Israelis value the life of a single soldier, in the willingness to trade hundreds of prisoners for one soldier, and even to trade prisoners to recover their dead for proper burial.

Look at how israelies CAGE palestinians in their own homes, allow their children to mock them, spit on them and throw feces at them, [[all caught on video by Israelis) then you can talk about Israelies respecting human dignity

6. Anti-Discrimination.

Leftists oppose sexism, racism, and any similar sort of discrimination. And so, Leftists do or ought to oppose anti-Semitism in the same way.

Palestinians ARE a semitic people.

7. Self-Defense.

Only the most uncompromising pacifists oppose the right to self-defense, and certainly most Leftists uphold this right. At least when Palestinians are doing the defending. Why are Israelis exempt from this right?

Whose land was taken away by the international community? the Israelies? nope. Who are defending the homes

8. Progress.

We want movement on Palestinian-Israeli and Arab-Israeli peacemaking. Yet, demonizing Israel, singling it out, as is done at the UN and on college campuses will do little to advance peace.

True, but hardly a reason to support Israel

[gibran]

This is by far the stupidest post ever ....

1. Human rights: you can't have some human rights for one group and not for another...you can't label genocide without understanding the definition and only apply it when you feel it work for you. Israel and it's neighbors are both guilty of human rights violations...one claims to be a democracy and the others don't. which is worse? both...
2. Internationalism: Just because you have a mall in Gaza doesn't stop the reality...the NGO's and other human rights groups document the numbers of children that are on the brink let alone the number of PTSD related psychosomatic symptoms...but keep this up ..it only shows your being influenced by those who won't let reporters or journalists into the strip to see for themselves unless they have proven them loyal apologetics for Israel..yes GAza is getting food in...but this is through tunnels,,,and while other countries on earth are worse than Israel SO WHAT...we aren't sending them billions of dollars a year in aid and military donations to perpetuate a blockade that in another countries we would be boycotting the country. Israel has the right to defend itself but not without responsibility...if they want to be a beacon then it starts with humane treatment for those they oppress and control.
3> Israel under BIBI has not and will not give up on the concept of a greater Israel...from the likes of their foreign secretary and Knesset [[ the one that has made it a crime to criticize Israel if you are an Arab Parliamentarian ... that tired if Ha mas put down their weapons ..would mean no water, no rights to freedom of movements..so let's be honest HA mas are the bad guys...they are primitive in representing their cause and are horrible to their own people..Israel is equally at fault because they have a weapons system that is can wipe anyone out it the region in minutes [[biological and nuclear weapons) and yet wont seek a just peace and return lands ... if Israel wants peace why do they keep building apartheid walls and settlements...why do they take water from aquifers that are under the Palestinians land..and gas from it reserves...why do they not return to the 1967 borders or for that matter 1947? When you have the power it is up to you to dictate the peace...
4. Token representation with threat of expulsion ,,,that's what Israeli Arabs have...haven't you read the HP own account of the Flotilla Legislator? She was physically attacked in the Knesset and then a law was introduced to strip all rights for ARABS politicians that were involved in anti-israeli activity...or how about the labels of "self-hating Jews" or any one critical of Israel as anti semitic?
5 Yes Palestinians turned themselves into helpless victims by building walls around through their villages with drones flying over head to ensure construction was unabated..while welcoming tanks and American Built caterpillars into the front doors ..how many missiles, and tanks shells have rained down on the self hating Palestinians? yes they sent rockets into Israel ...not cluster bombs or phosporus...but that is wrong on the radicals part and cant be justicifed by anyone...period.

Yes Right, A Palestinian child is born into a so called terrorist world just because they are born Arab? what created that paradigm? so what the author is saying is that Arabs are subhuman terrorists that hate their children... that the Israeli's whose capture of [[non violent protesters is justified)..or a stone throwing teenager..yes they have some really bad terrorists, and they should be jailed with trials...but what about the hundreds of others still waiting charges...ones taht were arrested at nonviolent protesters....
6. The label of anti-Semitic is horrible for anyone ...ANYONE with compassion knows the horrors of the Holocaust should never happen again...and I support the concept of never again...but it is extended that to all humans...we need to get to a place where we see the conflict from both sides perspective..and that we treat all people as equals..

the author fails to see his poor and irrational lies and misrepresentations of the facts...Israel is not the a only groups demonized...the author claims that Israelis being demonized >>>I would offer from the own words of this author....the author does a great deal of demonizing Palestinians without really coming out...I find the later just as bad as labeling someone anti semite...just for being critical of Israel...lets get real Littlebuddy and this so called objective author..feels that Palestinians do not have the right to exist in Israel...when all peoples are victims in this conflcit...the oppressors and oppressed have behaved poorly....but articles like this is a total misrepresentation of the realities...and why I speak out so strongly as looking at both sides equally and fairly...but that would take us to do so as a country ...but lobbiests and others agendas has kept fairness at bay.

[rb336]

Alan Krinsky is, frankly, a half-wit. Just read some of the other clap-trap he has written. just as poorly reasoned.

[Patrick]

Alan Krinsky is, frankly, a half-wit. Just read some of the other clap-trap he has written. just as poorly reasoned.

Krinsky and Eric Cantor prolly go out for ribs every Saturday....

[oldredfordette]

A great big pile of stupid.

[maxx]

I don't think we have to back Israel if they are planning to bomb Iran. According to the Atlantic's Jeff Goldberg, that would be really bad for Israel and our troops in Afghanistan. On the Daily Show tonight, Goldberg said that Obama is doing the right thing by talking about sanctions on Iran rather than the sabre-rattling of the last admin.

http://www.theatlanticwire.com/opini...Bomb-Iran-4678

[Papasito]

Israel has claimed they would be just fine without US aid.
So IMO let's stop sending it. We have our own problems to deal with.

And as far as Iran is concerned,
who cares what they do as long as they don't attack us or kill Americans?
It's not our job to police the world.
Hell, we can't even police our borders and can barely police our neighborhoods.

[gibran]

Iran has already offered turkey and brazil the deal we offered them last year...why not start there...or is it because the neocons are spoiling for war....and some how Ms Clinton and Rhaum are so blinded by this fact... why is everyone so afraid to stand up to the Lobbies? Why is congress so afraid to do whatis right in that region...follow the monies and you will find out...Oama please change this paradigm before it is too late shoudl be the cryof the people...not what religion is he...

[1KielsonDrive]

I'm an old lefty. I support Israel one hundred per cent. They have every right to exist. As a staunch supporter of Israel, just as I'm a staunch supporter of my family and my friends, when they f+&# up, I need to tell them and they need to hear it. As someone else here said, a reduction in aid dollars would be a good first step. Israel should know by now, we'd never let them down in the pinch. But as far as going out and picking fights and putting us in the middle.....nope. A psychologist once noted that the abused often become abusers later in life, inflicting the same injuries on their victims that they suffered. The psychologist was speaking of physical and sexual abuse among individuals, but the example was an apt metaphor for Israel's abuse of Palestinians. I think it's pretty clear. As Israel's best friends we need to let them know we won't allow them to treat others as they've been treated. Unfortunately, it all comes back to dollars. The Jewish lobby is much to rich to be trifled with.

[gibran]

1kielson your's is a correct position and so well written...

[gibran]

Iran has already offered turkey and brazil the deal we offered them last year...why not start there...or is it because the neocons are spoiling for war....and somehow Ms Clinton and Rhaum are so blinded by this fact... why is everyone so afraid to stand up to the Lobbies? Why is congress so afraid to do what is right in that region...follow the monies and you will find out...Obama "please change this paradigm" before it is too late should be the cry of the people...not what religion is he...

let us find the common ground that ensures an Israel that can live in peace and in respect of their minorities and a Free and Vibrant Palestine.

[maxx]

RE: AIPAC
http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/...years-1.265116
"...
Public opinion polls still show that AIPAC is entering its conference with a comfortable level of support among Americans for the Jewish state. According to a new poll by Rasmussen Reports, conducted after Biden's visit to Israel, the number of Americans who view Israel as an ally of America remains steady.
Most Americans also support the idea of military aid to Israel from the United States.."

I wonder how pollsters can say "most Americans" when they probably mean "most Americans that we polled by way of land line telephones."

[Gistok]

Notice how our OP littlebuddy has yet to chime in.... trollin' trollin' trollin'....

[1KielsonDrive]

let us find the common ground that ensures an Israel that can live in peace and in respect of their minorities and a Free and Vibrant Palestine.

That sums it up pretty well. Of course, the ideologues, politicians and money get thrown in to the sausage along the way.

[gibran]

MAybe here the manin reaosn the LEFT have a hard time blindly supporting one side or the other:

Netanyahu allies lobby U.S. to support more settlements




By SHEERA FRENKEL

McClatchy Newspapers

JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew to Washington on Tuesday, the first leader to arrive ahead of a summit Thursday to restart peace talks.
Even as he sought to reassure the American and Palestinian negotiators that he was ready and willing to make the compromises necessary to reach a peace deal, however, members of his political party were in Washington to push a different agenda.
Likud parliament member Danny Danon, who also heads the lobby for the settler movement in Israel, was meeting Jewish and congressional leaders in Washington to try to convince them of the importance of expanding Israel's settlements. Palestinians see the settlements as a key impediment to the peace talks, as they're built on land earmarked for a future Palestinian state.
Netanyahu froze settlement expansion 10 months ago to allow indirect talks between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators to proceed. Now that the United States has convinced both parties to move to direct negotiations, experts are pointing at the settlements as a ticking time bomb, one that could end the newest efforts at peace talks before they get off the ground.
The settlement freeze is due to expire Sept. 26, three weeks after Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas are expected to launch the talks in front of dozens of world leaders.
Netanyahu has refused to give a direct answer on whether he'll extend the freeze. Over the weekend he said he'd made no promises about extending it, though an official close to him, who spoke only on the condition of anonymity because the official wasn't authorized to talk to journalists, said in Jerusalem that the premier was examining "options and compromises" to respond to the Palestinian position.
Abbas has said that he won't proceed with talks if Israel resumes settlement construction. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat put it more starkly, saying that if Israel "issued one building tender after September 26, we will consider the talks over."
Much of Netanyahu's largely right wing-coalition supports Danon, however, and has made it clear that it isn't interested in the sort of complete freeze the Palestinians seek.
Speaking to members of his Likud Party before he departed for Washington, Netanyahu sought to relieve their fears, telling them, "I am not naive."
Writing in the Hebrew-language daily newspaper Yediot Ahronot, Shimon Shiffer said that Netanyahu was leaving for the United States "fully aware that his partners in the government are not prepared to accede to the Palestinians' demand that the construction freeze be extended."
Reports in Yediot Ahronot and another Hebrew daily, Maariv, concluded that the "prevailing assessment" was that the summit in Washington would be "ceremonial and not substantive."
The United States has openly opposed settlement expansion, but has stopped short of a formal call for Israel to stop building. The Quartet of Middle East peacemakers - a forum that comprises the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia - has said that Israel should stop building on lands intended for a future Palestinian state.
Palestinian negotiators said the Quartet's statement had given them the "political cover" to proceed with talks.

"There is very little that is new here. They know our positions and we know their positions. It's a matter of choosing to move forward," Erekat said.
This is the third time in 10 years that the United States has launched peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
In addition to what some experts have called intractable distrust between the sides, Palestinians face a division among their ranks.
While Abbas will arrive at the talks as the head of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, the Islamist Hamas leaders who control the Gaza Strip condemned the talks, and they appeared farther than ever from reconciling their government with Abbas'.
The United States has set a timeline of one year for this round of talks. While U.S. officials said they didn't expect any major breakthroughs initially, they'd consider a second round of talks in Egypt or Jordan a serious step forward.
"While the parameters of an ultimate, comprehensive peace agreement are well-known, we do not expect to achieve peace in one meeting," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Monday.
He said the United States hoped to launch vigorous talks between the Israeli and Palestinian leaders and their teams of experts, with the "full participation" of the U.S. and support from other countries.



Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/3...#ixzz0yD2j1Gw6