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Welcoming a new Jewish voice By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Israel News Barack Obama's election as president of the United States justifiably generates new hope not only for a change in policy but primarily for the implementation of a different point of view. All signs indicate that Israel would do well to understand that while the new U.S. administration is as committed to its security as its predecessors, it may not be able to accept Jerusalem's policy of foot dragging. No wonder then that many in Israel and the American Jewish community see Obama's election and his apparent policy leaning as a threat. In the past, Israel has not made do with its leaders' persuasive efforts to ward off U.S. pressure. It tended to recruit an aggressive, powerful Jewish lobby to assist it: The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Over the years, this organization became not only the lobbying extension of Israel's policy - but in many cases it forged its own independent policy, usually with a right-wing agenda, which posited that renouncing the territories posed a threat to Israel's existence. Advertisement This lobby, known for its pro-Israel activity, managed to create the illusion that American Jews spoke with one voice, and that this voice spoke exclusively and automatically for the Jewish right wing and Israeli government. Recently, a new Jewish lobby has been formed, J Street, which proposes a left-wing liberal alternative to AIPAC. This is important news to both peace supporters in Israel and the U.S. Jewish community. Judging by the new lobby's public opinion poll, some 76 percent of U.S. Jews support negotiating with "Israel's worse enemies," 58 percent support pulling out of the Golan in exchange for peace and 59 percent support withdrawing from the territories. This is a large and important chunk of the Jewish American community, whose voice is usually silent, or silenced with the argument that it is a marginal group of "self-hating Jews" or "Israel haters." This poll's findings render this argument groundless, just as the claim that the new lobby weakens the Jewish influence on the administration and Congress - because it splits its lobbying power - is false. The establishment of another lobby truthfully reflects the ideological and political controversy that exists in Israel. AIPAC cannot expect the internal Israeli debate not to reach the U.S. This attitude only deepens suspicions that AIPAC wants to preserve its monopoly of representing the Jewish public's position to the U.S. administration. But this attitude also insults the administration, because it implies that it is not familiar with the complexities of the controversy. Alternatively, it suggests the administration is actually a threat, against which Jewish Americans and Israelis must present a united front. Israel should not have to decide which lobby represents it, and America's Jews do not need Israel's permission to voice the range of its opinions. Ultimately, the policy of Israel's government, which was elected by its citizens, is the one that should determine its relationships with its neighbors and with the U.S. This said, it is good to hear a new voice emanating from the American Jewish community. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Enough is enough Livni says time will come when Israel tells Gaza militants: Enough! Oxbridge anti-Semitism Report: Oxford students face anti-Semitism charges over 'pretty Jewish girls' party.   1.   Perhaps, "J Street" Can Convince the U.S. To "Rape Israel" 19:16  |  Tod Zuckerman 14/11/08   2.   Wow 22:11  |  Jon Rahmbo 14/11/08   3.   american jews dont serve in israeli army 04:57  |  joe 15/11/08   4.   The ideological and political controversy that exists in Israel. 11:33  |  Simon 15/11/08   5.   What Haaretz doesn`t know....... 16:31  |  bill Pearlman 15/11/08   6.   The Problems Occur... 11:43  |  Yosemite 16/11/08

Read & React U.S. study urges Obama to press Israel over nukes Responses: 85 Yossi Melman: Syria may soon face nuclear sanctions like Iran Responses: 12 IAF reportedly kills 4 mortar gunners in Gaza; 2 Qassams hit Negev Responses: 15 ANALYSIS / Hamas is calling the shots as Israel's leaders bicker Responses: 18 Gideon Levy: Returning Likudniks are mere opportunists Responses: 7 More Headlines 12:31 Olmert: We'll strike any terror group that violates Gaza truce 09:10 ANALYSIS / Hamas is calling the shots as Israel's leaders bicker 09:15 GA special report / Turnout down 30% from last Jerusalem meet 11:39 Britain's Miliband arrives in bid to advance Israel-PA peace talks 09:12 U.S. study urges Obama to press Israel over nuclear program 10:46 Ami Ayalon quits Labor, claiming party has lost its will to live 09:40 U.S. Web site reveals Shin Bet chief candidate's name 23:59 GA special feature / An online battle for Israel's legitimacy 07:35 Report: Obama will throw his weight behind Arab peace plan 11:29 Elderly couple attempt suicide due to financial strife 09:17 Feted author Amos Oz says new leftist party will replace Labor 09:19 Courts to perform secular conversions which bypass rabbinate 07:43 Abbas spokesman: Barak's West Bank plans kills peace process 07:33 15 Bnei Menashe families from India allowed to immigrate Previous Editions Select Day 14 nov 13 nov 12 nov 11 nov 10 nov 09 nov 07 nov 06 nov 05 nov 04 nov 03 nov 02 nov

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