Comments (0)Pro Peace?
November 6, 2009Mitchell J. Baird establishes reasonable standards for those organizations that bad mouth Israel but could still be considered as pro-Israel (“Can One Badmouth Israel?” Oct. 30). His list of do’s and don’ts certainly eliminates many groups from being considered as pro-Israel, placing them instead in the category of being the opposite. Included are J-Street, Americans For Peace Now, the New Israel Fund and others who have shown their true colors by recent actions.
Certainly the organizations that have been rapid to condemn Israel for its defensive actions against an entrenched Hamas in Gaza, after southern Israel endured 11,000 rocket and mortar attacks against Sderot and neighboring cities and towns, cannot be considered to be pro-Israel. Nor the groups that have asked that the grossly biased Goldstone report be recognized as appropriate be pro-Israel.
Fortunately, the mask of deceit has been lifted for J-Street, as its leaders have told its student affiliate that they should no longer use the slogan pro-Israel and pro-peace, and instead restrict it to pro-peace, and, when propitious pro-Palestinian and pro-peace, describing their activities accurately.
Nelson Marans
Silver Spring