(Community Matters) Middle East Peace – understandably there are no shortages of opinions & sensitivities. Fortunately, there is no ambiguity about our country’s commitment to the peace process nor our commitment to Middle East security.
As President Obama has prioritized negotiations for peace between Israel and the Palestinians, he’s taken an approach of demonstrating impartiality by pressuring both sides. Especially following our former president’s obvious, unchecked and unproductive (as relates to mediating peace) favoritism to our friend & strategic ally in the region, this causes much anxiety on behalf of the State of Israel and an indeterminate percentage of the American Jewish population. My previous postings cite sources with competing claims as to the opinions of most Jewish Americans.
An organization very dear to my & Steven’s heart and for which I sit on their Austin Council’s executive committee, the Anti-Defamation League, took out a full page ad in yesterday’s New York Times expressing its disagreement with the President’s approach of pressuring Israel to discontinue expansion of West Bank settlements.
A New York Times editorial (hardly known for impartiality toward Israel, i.e., usually considered its advocate) explicitly supports President Obama’s pressure on Israel as well as pressure on Palestinians and Arab leaders.
There is no question about the special relationship between Israel and the United States, about its strategic importance as an ally, about the importance of the state for Jews worldwide. Friendships do not come from a place of scarcity but from abundance. Chances of our helping negotiate peace in the Middle East are enhanced if we are a more impartial mediator. My fondness and support for the ADL notwithstanding, I support the President’s approach and send prayers for safety and peace to all sides.
Community Matters 