Experts warn against Israeli plan to use European rabbi for PR
Minister's bid for European 'ambassadors' meets worry of reinforcing image of Jews responsible for Israel's deeds.
By Cnaan Liphshiz Tags: Jewish World Europe Jews Israel newsEuropean rabbis may become the latest addition to Israel's arsenal of public diplomacy tools, following Minister Yuli Edelstein's request this week that they act as "ambassadors." But authorities on Israel advocacy in Europe warned the plan could end up reinforcing tendencies to blame Jewish communities for Israel's actions.
Edelstein, the Information and Diaspora Minister, conveyed his request this week through Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, who met with a large delegation from the Rabbinical Center of Europe in Jerusalem. "We would like you to learn how to answer questions about the State of Israel," Rabbi Metzger told the group of rabbis, referring specifically to "disinformation regarding Operation Cast Lead."
Dr. Mikael Tossavainen, who is in charge of the Scandinavian desk at Tel Aviv University's Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism and Racism, described this plan as "a bad idea."
"Using rabbis as spokespeople would reinforce the image that's already very strong, that Jews are in some way connected or responsible for what Israel does," he said. "In small Jewish communities and especially in Scandinavia it would also be ineffective because most Scandinavian rabbis are not originally Scandinavian," Tossavainen added, explaining they would appear "foreign."
Speaking to Anglo File, Edelstein said such reservations are obsolete. "These concerns were justified 20 years ago," the minister said. "All or nearly all Jewish communities in Europe and elsewhere understand they are inextricably bound together with Israel. With very few exceptions, rabbis and community leaders are telling me they want to help."
Ron Edelheit, a Dutch-born Israel Defense Forces officer who serves in the IDF Spokesperson unit, said Israel "needs any friendly voice it can get," but added that European Jewish communities still "very much fear" becoming part of the Middle East conflict by publicly supporting Israel.
"We are already seeing this happening, with anti-Semitism flaring up in Europe every time the conflict between Israel and its Arab neighbors flares up," said Edelheit, who regularly speaks on hasbara to Jewish groups on his visits to Holland and Belgium.
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The possibility to intervene effectivly makes the responsibility.
It makes no difference what the rabbis say, as conduct vis-a-vis Jews is generally completely irrational anyway.
There can never be agreement between the Torah and Zionism. As Torah values diminish, Zionist allegiance increases proportionately. The State already has its uncritical lackeys amongst the Modern Orthodox and Conservative, and Lubavitch is not that far removed from their philosophies. Metzger's approach to the Rabbinical Centre of Europe - a front-organisation for Lubavitch PR - was calculated to offer them the unlimited official Israeli support that they desperately need for their credibility with the media in return for their unconditional support of the State that they would have no qualms about doing anyway.
Great idea - they are so cute and furry
Kudos
...not spokesmen for the Israeli government.
Israel still believes that whoever is in government should have the support of diaspora Jewry. That is an outmoded concept and Israel would do much better to listen to criticism from those who still want to believe in Zionism than trying to coerce people into only speaking well of it.
British Rabbis have always been among israel's public supporters, while at the same time being able to criticise Israel's departures from Jewish values. Chief Rabbi Lord Jakobovits and Chief rabbi Lord sacks have both been outspoken in supporting israel; whenh they felt Israel was treated unfairly in the media, but also able to criticise Israel when its policies went aganst its Jewish character. Lord Jakobovits, himself a rfugee from Germany, spoke of his personal sympathy for Pal refugees, while Lord Sacks spoke of the moral problem of our young people becoming an army of occupation.
This represents a Galut mentality of insecurity. If Rabbis will not speak out with pride then the average Jew will be fearful to support Israel. If the other countries see that Jewish leaders fear expressing themselves then they will be strident against Israel. The world will respect Jews with strong convictions if they have the inner pride to speak out with dignity.
Dr. Mikael Tossavainen is cmpletely right and Mr Yuli Edelstein is completely wrong. The growing feeling among Jews in Europe and especially in the northern parts of the continent, is that the present Israeli governments policy is not only a disaster for Israel but also for world Jewry.