Top U.S. Reform rabbi to Israel: Freeze East Jerusalem building

The Reform Rabbi makes obvious sense: - How can more settlements aid peace? - Is the goal is to settle Israelis all over the occupied territories and then to drive out Arabs? Why else build settlements? - Israel cannot occupat Arab territories indefinitely. It is humanly impossible, and laughably impossible unless the US shields Israel in doing it. The British gave up theior empire; even the neo-conservatives guiding the Bush foreign policy gave up after a few years in Iraq. - Occupation and domination corrodes both "master" and "slave". - On the whole, I sense that Americans have great affection for Israel -- families are spread between the countries, Americans have old notions of the kibbutz, of the movie "Exodus", and ideals. Still, Israel offers no strategic assistance to the US. It is no more a "stragtegic ally" than Luxembourg. - The US, and the rest of the owrld, worries about the super-recession, about unemployment, about economic challenges from China.

Better late than never. The israeli public has voted for these fascist, racist, apartheid , expansionist, brutish, aggressive, policies for 60 years. You are just now realizing this! What does this say about the Iisraeli people and the enabling jews in the diaspora? It is time to withdraw all US aid and impose sanctions and embargos. The Israel will not change otherwise.

But there's none. Just blind adherence to dogma. "all of Jerusalem is there for all the Jews and only for all the Jews" What did the Jews conquer 3,000 years ago? Nothing? "If you do not agree that all of Jerusalem is only for all the Jews, then you are an enemy of Israel" Uh huh. How 'reason' a bull. Welcome to 2010. 65 years after it was made law that it is inadmissible to acquire territory by war. That Sovereign states and states and any other entity cannot illegally annex territory. 62 years after Israel was declared, by the boundaries of UNGA res 181. A resolution that DID NOT REQUIRE CO-SIGNING, because it was a resolution about INDEPENDENCE. 60 Years after Israel became a UN Member state, bound by the UN Charter, Laws of war and conventions it ratified. All of which make it's actions over the last 60 years ILLEGAL. When your talking to G-d next tell him that he, you, me and every other Jew on the planet were short changed May 14th '48 http://wp.me/pDB7k-pE

"The lies and vulgarity taught by the Pals to their children insure there will NEVER, EVER be peaceful coexistence" Sez who? PMW? Memri? Camera? Hasbara propaganda 101? Want lies, here I've collected quite a few, I'm sure you're familiar with all of them http://wp.me/PDB7k-Y "Who are the two of you to preach anything to Israel." Israel is MY homeland state. It was declared in ALL our names. I ask that it abide by the laws it said it would. No more, no less. "You are meaningless specs of nothing who preach daily stupidity" And you are a factless what?

"CJ your interpretations of Geneva..Are certainly not taught" I understand your point. What do the UNSC know... "Big words from little hate filled people." When you can find a word of hatred from me, please point it out. Plenty to choose from http://talknic.wordpress.com/ "There is no occupation of what was a completely barren land before the Jews got there." Twaddle. The Jews of 3,000 conquered it from people who were already there. They conquered it because it was a good place to live. The zionist colonizers wanted it because it was a good place to live. Millions of people lived there over thousands of years because it was a good place to live. It sustained people for thousands of years. Save your BS for BS school.

We are on the wrong side of this argument. What we annexed over 30 years ago may have to be given back under international law. It is really conflicting for us when we use the UN to accomplish obtaining a state( yes, yes, I am aware of the British mandates of the l920's) and then thumb our collective noses at a situation, which we realized at the outset, might have to be totally reversed. No amount of creating "facts on the ground" by the former Arik and then Bibi will change any of that. Grow up and plan for that change. For without it, we will be condemned to a life of turmoil in Israel. Not to be wished for.

Uf the jews has the right to build in occupied East Jerusalem why not Palestanian who owns at least70% of West Jerusalem to move to their homes in West Jerusalem, the majority of the Arab in East Jerusalem own homes in West Jerusalem.

As an american jew I feel no difficulties (but the luck of job, which is common). Stop inventing lies and trying to hurt the tiny Israel which has a thousand times less land than arabs.

Eric does what arabs & Clinton tell him. Puppet does not speak for Jews.

Before you preach what should be taught in Israeli schools, clean up the schools of the Pals you both love. The lies and vulgarity taught by the Pals to their children insure there will NEVER, EVER be peaceful coexistence. Who are the two of you to preach anything to Israel. You are meaningless specs of nothing who preach daily stupidity.

It seems Netanyahu is in boiling hot water and I feel he will soon disappear.

Heard the JStreet is all for Buddhism ,vegetarianism and the "Queers for Palestine"

"I know many-myself included- left that movement because it is intellectually and morally flawed. It is hardly Jewish." United Judaism needs all the help we can get to support Israel. Whether or not Reform is for real, still we need their support. So Reform Jews should open their big fat wallets and shut their big fat mouths.

"Shouldn`t Israelis be able to immagine a better solution than only that ALL of Jerusalem belongs only to the Jewish community?" You have completely missed the point. In reality, all of Jerusalem is there for all the Jews and only for all the Jews. This is not something to compromise on or negotiate about or come up with alternatives to. There is nothing to discuss. If you do not agree that all of Jerusalem is only for all the Jews, then you are an enemy of Israel and you deserve whatever happens to you.

So you think we have made **this a difficult time for American Jewry** What do you think it's like for us ISRAELI citizens living under the constant threat of war, qassams, knife attacks, etc?? If it get's too hot for you in the kitchen........LEAVE!!

I agree with the rabbi There are to much parallel events going on in the world it is something in the air. Something not so good. I think Clinton is a realistic in politics and indeed drive by all means to make balance to keep things stabile. it seems also in many areas there ar politicians who do (on purpose or by being dump) welcome mistakes. Liebermann and many others might be remembered as those who harm Israel with wrong decisions and parallel upraise from Nazi and kryptonazis in Europe in together with dumped and spoiled relations with erdogan (turqia last place with relatively peace and buffer zone which might fall into Islamic republic)- Afghanistan forecast uncertain and -leave it or take it but I would advise to make a kind of an agreement sooner than better. I feel also if this time no breakthrough can be done things might end up not so well.

that the majority of those posting here represent the prevailing thinking inside Israel. How could an intelligent people think this way? I worry about the lack of posts from more moderate voices. If you read this, and I know you are out there, it is time for you to speak up. Let the rest of the world know that Israel is a better nation than the one portrayed here by the self defined "good Jews." As things stand, the picture is not a pretty one.

Wow!! A lot of wingnuts posting today. Yoffie's attitude is not substantially different from that of the ultra-right. He is simply more "pragmatic". He thinks along racial lines, and is possessed by demographic demons; he is terrified that Palestinians will become a majority, and is desperate for any deal that he thinks will maintain a Jewish majority. Being obsessed with ethnic dominance, he is out of touch with most U.S. Jews, and particularly with the next generation of U.S. Jews. He might be "reform" by Israeli standards, but he is extraordinarily conservative by U.S. Jewish standards.

"a temporary moratorium on construction in East Jerusalem would strengthen Israel's relations with the U.S. and be greeted with enthusiasm by other allies angered by Israel's plan. A freeze would demonstrate a firm commitment on Israel's part to the American-sponsored peace negotiations". What is the good of a temporary freeze? Would you start negotiating with anyone prepared to resuming stealing your land at the end of a moratorium. Can't you see how absurd and destructive the whole idea is?

How do you help a people who fight among themselves about who is good and who is bad? In this case even about who is a real Jew and who is not. So once again Israelis prove that they are truly exceptional. Do you even listen when others speak? Or have you learned to be so defensive and confrontational that even the best intentioned voices fall flat, because you only hear what you want to hear. Spare us, because the rest of the international community is very tired of listening to you, and watching you a nation we thought had great promise and deserved our help because of your tortured history end in such a state of discord. Is the hate of the Palestinians the only thing that unites you?

Are certainly not taught. Big words from little hate filled people. There is no occupation of what was a completely barren land before the Jews got there. "Palestinians" are those who came to land in search of better governance, better jobs, as they knew the Jews would provide these things. Too bad Arab leaders convinced them they could steal it.

"Ramat Shlomo From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ramat Shlomo (Hebrew: רמת שלמה?, lit. Shlomo's Heights) is a large housing development in northeastern Jerusalem.[1][2] The neighborhood is across the Green Line on land captured by Israel in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed to Israel in a move not recognised by the international community. It is therefore considered to be an Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem.[6][7] Israel disputes this and considers Ramat Shlomo to be a neighborhood within the Israeli designated borders of Jerusalem." The Mount Scopus and the other places you mentioned are not even near Ramat Shlomo. It is far away to Sydney, sharona- Better you get serious on this matter and be honest and unbiased.

This phoney "peace process" has gone on for 62 years, and has only brought misery to all involved. History shows us that only one thing has ever induced the Arabs to live at peace with the Israelis -- being soundly beaten on the battlefield.

Before Yaffie takes on the problems of Israel and the world let him first deal with his most pressing problem empty " Reform Temples" Huge white elephant "temples " that are barely used anymore for services except 3 times a year A visit to any of these huge structures on any given Shabbat will find the services if there are any at all held in a small auditorium less thean 4% of Reform are active in their "temples" while 78% of Orthodox Jews in America are and now represent at least 25-30% of affiliated American Jews and the only ones growing.REform looks big talks big but has nothing behind it .

[......] Civil Law in illegally annexed "territories occupied" or "territories occupied" and never un-occupied.

Well, it looks like Israel is going to knuckle under once again to Obama's thugs! $$ talks and you know what walks Israel! Palestine gets a free ride and Israel says "Yes masta"!

....that the will of the whole International community (including the current U.S. admini- stration) is, that Jerusalem must be shared by both Israelis and Palestinians with West Jerusalem as future capital of Israel (yes, then with embassies from countries all over the world!), and East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. I'm really surprised, I would have expected that at least the U.S. reform Jews would have gotten that message....

you don't listen to anyone but yourselves. Head in the sand comes to mind.

Temporary arrangements have a way of becoming permanent. No, do not stop construction anywhere in Jerusalem, whether it be Beit HaKerem, Talpiot or Ramat Shlomo. Only just don't make such noise about it, as the right-wing parties have a habit of doing. This serves no useful purposes and can be harmful, as we have just seen.

Rav, let me lay some truth on you. I'm a Reform Jew myself and most Reform Jews would like to see Israel bend in order to achieve peace. At the same time, Jews here in North America are taking a lot of abuse from fellow liberals over Israel. Not that Israel is totally free of guilt, but home construction in East Jerusalem is kind of a different issue, especially considering the fact that the West Bank, which includes the Ramat Shlomo area, is much more land than the Palestinians need. And if anti-Semitism in the US and Canada gets any worse, you won't be raising objections to new Jewish housing construction anywhere in Israel OR the West Bank. I don't know about you, Rav, but if I have to leave the North American continent under threat of death and dismemberment and Israel is the only place I have to go, I'd like a nice assortment of one-bedroom apartments to choose from when I get there. Something to think about next time you have to scrub swastikas off the walls of your synagogue.

Rabbi Yoffie should just keep quiet. Israel has enough trouble with the Arabs.Jerusalem [ All of it} is the capital of, Israel & it will never be divided again.Anyone can build wherever they want with the proper permits. His comments are counterproductive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, The official position of progressive/Reform Judaism is the Messianic one of the far right wing? "Jerusalem as the Eternal undivided Capital of Israel and all the Jews..." Yoffie, seems to add a nuance, 'within the borders of Jerusalem' Israel keeps expanding the borders... the point is clear... Reform Judaism's position also stands in opposition to Int. Law and against the protection of Palestinians under occupation. What A DISAPPOINTMENT from what I thought was the principled branch of Judaism...

No Israeli Government will give back the Mount of Olives which is Israel's history and that is East Jerusalem. Jerusalem should never be divided again.

http://wp.me/PDB7k-Q#IsraeliDeclaration "Ramat Shlomo is located between the two sections of Jerusalem that were in Israeli hands when the 1948 ceasefire was signed" 2) http://wp.me/pDB7k-lA#british-recognition OR direct http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1950/apr/27/jordan-and-israel-government-decision Perhaps this? http://wp.me/PDB7k-Y#annexation Follow the links, have cry, then stop spouting nonsense. "no Israeli in their right mind would consider surrendering.... " (illegally acquired territory) No Israeli in their right mind would have illegally acquired it in the first place. Makes one wonder which Israeli leader has been in their right mind since Israel Declared Independence? One. He was assassinated.

next time do not vote for someone who had set for twenty years in an antisemitic church.

"Current tensions are not about a two-state solution, which is accepted by Israel" the Israeli government continually acts to undermine any two-state solution. Anyone who will not see this plainly is a coward.

No Rabbi, you have it wrong. It is Barack Obama who has made this a difficult time for American Jewry.

And just before the AIPAC conference. Man, oh man, the White House was just waiting for its chance to go the thump, wasn't it? Thank you, Yishai. If I didn't already know how blinkered your world-view is then I'd be swearing that you must be a CIA-controlled agent-provocateur... But, no, you are just terminally stupid......

Rabbis who eat prosciutto at Bar Mitzvahs do not need to lecture Jews on what to do with our holy city and capital thank you very much.

From a Reform perspective. Which is why I know many-myself included- left that movement because it is intellectually and morally flawed. It is hardly Jewish.

Most Jews in America are not Orthodox Jews, so to say Reform is not mainstream takes a lot of chutzpah and is delusional, and having a very open clash with certain American elites is not wise. Twice the pride, twice the fall. Netanyahu should be cautious. What is he saying that's wrong? It's common sense and 41% of Israel agrees with this position while 49% does not.

Why not apply the same standard of "international law: to all the events that led up to the creation of the state of Israel. For example, look at how Britain reneged on it's initial intention to create a Jewish homeland in the mandate of Palestine. Then hand over 70% of it as Trans-Jordan to Saudi Princes who had never resided in the region. Then renege completely on any commitment to a Jewish-Palestinian homeland with the illegal White Paper of 1939. Where do you start assessing legality? What makes you choose 1948, or 1967 or older. How about this map of Israel?http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e8/1759_map_Holy_Land_and_12_Tribes.jpg

"Top U.S. Reform rabbi to Israel: Freeze East Jerusalem building" - Haaretz Earth to America, come in America. America, Israel's ruling clique does not even consider anyone Reform or American as a 'real' Jew. Now days even Orthodox conversions are considered suspect in Israel. No 'conservative' or 'reform' person is certain to be considered a 'real' Jew by the Ultra-Orthodox who control the definition of 'Jew' in Israel. The Haredi are quite certain 'secular Jews' are in fact not really Jews at all. And Israel's government seems to deem that the Haredi are right. The idea that an American Reform 'rabbi' could even be a real 'Jew' is alien to Netanyahu's Israel. And any opinion of an American Reform Rabbi is null and void.

I was under the impression that being born Jewish made you Jewish. NO one is "more Jewish" than another Jew, just because they are told or think so, or pray more.

When you gonna give it to me, give it to me. It is just a matter of time Sharona Is it just destiny, destiny? Or is it just a game in my mind, Sharona? Never gonna stop, give it up. Such a dirty mind. Always get it up for the touch of the younger kind. My my my i yi woo! M M M My Sharona...

I continue to find it extraordinary that a race of people as exceptional as the Jews haven't been able to come up with an expansive new approach in dealing with a city that three separate religions consider holy. Shouldn't Israelis be able to immagine a better solution than only that ALL of Jerusalem belongs only to the Jewish community? Given the neighborhood in which Israel lives, wouldn't a more egalitarian approach to Jerusalem lead to greater security for Israel over the long term?

These extremist Jews who have been running israel are the problem, how can peace be achieved when one side thinks they are the chosen people of god and the consider the other side inferior to them, once you dehumanize people you can try and justify anything against them as the israelis have been doing for years. Any one who looks at it as an observer can see the barbaric acts committed and in the name of what, god? save it, once these people are dead than peace can be made but they are given the opportunity to feed it in their schools and pass it on to their children, the world is waking up and is realising what is happening and soon they will act and peace will be made.

reality. otherwise a whole belief system would begin to unravel.

Israel's building program in East Jerusalem, and the West Bank, is not only not prudent but completely contrary to international law. It is astonishing how the Fourth Geneva Convention has been relegated to Orwell's memory hole by Israel, its U.S. quislings, and the convenient amnesia of U.S. administrations. Geneva IV should be taught in Israeli high schools and universities, and Arts. 3, 33, and 49 enlarged, framed, and hung on the walls of public buildings.

You have no right to castigate our movement over a statement by one man. You have your very orthodox Naturie Karta anti-Zionists Arab loving members. You what they say about people who live in glass houses

I'm sorry to say that as a Reform Jew, our leading Rabbi is an idiot. Compromise and withdrawal has never worked with the Palestinians. Israel does not need permission to build in her capital and has every right to announce that fact.

nice idea--but hints and prophecies from Abbas and his henchmen indicate the Palestinian Authority sees all of Jerusalem, certainly in the East and potentially in the West to be theirs

What is this rabbi top in??? Goyim marriages under a chuppah?? or is he top for Torah studies(very unlikely as reform by passes mitzvot to their own agenda)....... Now that his 5 minutes of fame are over....may be he should remember Israel takes precedence over what USA public thinks and anyway since when does a member of USA public has a right to tell Israel what to do?

Yoffe is not the "Top U.S. Reform rabbi", in any case. He the salaried administrator of the Reform theological seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio, and he speaks for no other rabbis anywhere, as he will be the first to admit. As he also acknowledged, the position of even the Reform movement that employs him is that united Jerusalem should remain the capital of Israel, and only Israel, and should not be re-divided. Those Reform sect rabbis living in Israel, striving to earn equal status with traditional Orthodox rabbis (99.9% of the total) must be wondering "Why doesn't Yoffe STFU".

Instead of helping his people he jumps on the side of those trying to bully them. If I belonged to a reform "temple" I'd reconsider my membership, but these counterproductive statements pushed me away a while back. Glad that Chabad was around to welcome us Russian and Persian Jews who see the world a bit differently then our reformed American brothers and sisters. We are one people and we have one faith, the whole idea of a separate "reformed" Judaism and of such counterproductive announcements from its leaders just don't make sense

Yoffi's statement outlines the deep disconnect of reform Judaism from the mainstream. How can they demand recognition as Jews when they do not share the same values as the rest of the community?

that's where rabbi Yoffie loses so many of us. As his statement clearly indicates that Palestinians have no place in Jerusalem. Until Israelis understand that in order to live in peace with the Palestinians they have to compromise, on Jerusalem, it is just B.S. to hear anybody trying to sound sooooooo reasonable. It just ain't true. Rabi Yoffie's position sounds just like "don't ask, don't tell" that Bibi is supposed to have indicated. What a crock.

Almost anyone who lives in Jerusalem knows that the area in dispute, Ramat Shlomo, is a Jewish neighborhood and has been so for thirty years. Ramat Shlomo is located between the two sections of Jerusalem that were in Israeli hands when the 1948 ceasefire was signed. It is on the way to Mt.. Scopus, which includes Hebrew University and Hadassah Hospital. It is surrounded by other Jewish neighborhoods and no Israeli in their right mind would consider surrendering it in any final peace deal with the Palestinians. Giving up Ramat Shlomo would be the equivalent of giving up the world famous Hebrew University on Mount Scopus, the tony Jerusalem suburb of French Hill and even the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City. All three are just as integrated into the Jewish identity of Jerusalem as Ramat Shlomo.