U.S. Jewish activist: Why I am protesting the Friends of the IDF dinner

Last year and this week. You're not missing anything. Its just an occassion for some individuals to stand up at the end of the evening and let everyone else know how much money they have by way of their donations. That, and the food is terrible.

First I want congratulate Ms. Novel for her sensitivity. As a gay community organizer myself I can appriciate her dedication to Palestinians.I am also a proud anti Zionist and anti occupation fighter.I hope to send $50 out of my pay check to your organization. ( sorry but as a librarian I have a limited income)

piti the pouting liberals who are as far removed from Judaism as their handlers and trainers. No connection to Jewish values and quite undereducated Jewishly, all they can muster up is a mimicking recording of every group that has it in for Israel. Ignoring facts while chanting the boring mantra of Poor Palistinian Victims, you guys are expert at one thing only- clearly defining the word charlatan when it comes to viewing the facts and making upsurd statements. Quivering, Low IQ Jews are the most disgusting, distasteful, and historically insignificant forms of Jewish life. Due to their dishonest use of their brains, they are on the endangered Jewish species list, and thank G-d for that.... unless through some quirk, honest self-appraisal and rebuilding sets in.

These young men and women are facing terrorists each day. Their work is made very difficut when the enemy have no decency and are barbaric to the core. They are the real heros!

Writing words of support for the IDf doesn't cut it. Send as much money to the beautiful men and women of the IDf!

The level of un-awareness is amazing to behold.

As far as I know, every tribe claims its god gave it the land it lives on. If it is literate, it puts that claim into its religious books. Why should we pay any more attention to your tribe's claim than to that of any other?

Justice for the Palestinians should not come at the expense of Jews. The source of that injustice is their fellow Arabs/Moslems, not the creation of Israel or the actions of Jews defending themselves. Another source is their own intransigence which is based on promises of their fellow Arabs, political/economic deceit and a morality that says Islam is superior to all other religions therefore its OK to steal Eretz Israel and dominate the land and subjugate its people making them pay Zakat and being classed as secnod class 'dhimi' protect citizens to be dominated. Naive little Jew. College is wasted on such persons.

Hi Donna, I wish we had more people like you on the Palestinian side as well. The whole conflict is nothing but politicians and businessmen making a profit by exploiting two people, twisting truth, and bringing up past feuds while applying "blood & vengeance" concept. We all can achieve peace, and we just need people to step up and stop the fanatics on both side. Continuing out grandparents' conflicts is just stupid. With all gratitude for your courage and truth seeking, Your Palestinian cousin ;)

It's part of the training, it seems. Joel Kovel, Derek Summerfield, B. Beit-Hallahmi, etc. Ms. Nevel parades her ignorance, regrettably, about the reality of war and its occasional necessity. As with Jenin, the full-on propaganda effort, including the lackey Goldstone, is to portray a campaign, run as gingerly as one ever was, as an indiscriminate massacre. Even a Kuwaiti newspaper commented on how restrained Mofaz and the IDF were in the West Bank. Col. Richard Kemp of course made this observation about the Gaza operation. Whether Ms. Nevel is willfully ignorant or a conscious liar isn't significant. Psych folks usually oppose Jewish moral values, and make strong efforts to undermine them. "Community" psych is mostly gossip and other violations of the morals of language, masquerading as "help." No wonder they also hate Israel. Their goal is one world--managed by themselves. And lying their way to that goal isn't an impediment for them. Lying is opposed only by old-style ethics.

Since IDF represents a huge number of Israeli Jews who either served or serve now the claim that it is "immoral" army is equivalent to the statement that majority of Israelis are immoral also. At least that what "honest look at historical and present evidence" tells Donna. I wonder what Donna and Mr. Gladstone might think about their own moral values if they would decide one day to take an "honest look" at themselves.

The mandate gave political rights to the jews,and arabs got political rights in Iraq Syria,Lebonan and 19 other countries1

What a wonderfull woman writing good words. The talkbackers spewing venom here, to her and the Palestinians, demonstrate the ugly depths that humanity can stoop to. I bet the "Butcher of Gaza" is their hero.

You have a lot of guts writing that, I commend your courage. Thank you for speaking up for the thousands of us who are Israeli or/and Jews who want this disastrous policy of repression to end.

So, you base your protest on the Goldstone report. Have you read the Israeli rebuttal? Your protest is a sham and reflects your hatred. What is an activist? One who starts trouble. Your are a self-hating Jew! Shame on you! You are a disgrace to your family and the Jewish People!

Donna could save herself some money and attend the Friends of Hamas Dinner. She could thereby support an institution committed to human rights and protecting the lives of innocent noncombatants.

Dear Mr. Activist- you probably have not read the Goldstone report. If you did you would see that it should be known for the ecology waste of paper that reflects all that it is. It is baseless dribble. Check it out yourself. Compare its statements with Arab news articles. You'll see the "empirical" evidence upon which it is based- its called anti-Israelism.

Great article, Donna. And the talkbacks followed the script to a Tee. Just love when a plan comes together, eh?

While I don't have the benefit of all the wonderful experiences you had being an "activist" in college in the 1970s, as a young American of about your age, I did happen to be in Israel during 2 wars: 1967 and 1973. From my perspective, as misguided as it may seem to you without the "benefit" of an education like yours, the IDF is the wall that stands between the people of Israel and extermination. It is, without a doubt, the most moral army in the world, despite the fact that it has been fighting an existential war for more than 60 years. My father, a Pearl Harbor veteran of WW2, fought 4 years in the Pacific in the US Army.He felt exactly the same about the IDF. But then again, he also missed out on those great times that you had being a college activist, so a little different point of view. I stand with the defenders of Israel, not with those who seek the liquidation of the people of Israel like you do.

Where was the authors protest during the last 8 years when war-crime rockets rained down on Sederot? Why has the author not travelled to Gaza and Saudi Arabia to protest the lack of BASIC rights for women and gays? Did the author protest when the leader of Sudan was exonerated for war-crimes in Darfur by the UN Human Rights Committe? (even though millions of people died) Did the author protest when Sri Lanka eliminated all Tamul resistance over a period of several months bombing hospitals and killing woman and children? Has the author protested the suicide bombing by the Sunni and Shia of each other that has claimed hundreds of thousands of civillian lives? I see the above is not as important to the author as making sure that Jews should not be able to defend themselves in their own country unlike they were able to do before and had to rely on the mercy of others.

Donna, I think we all want the same thing here. As Jews we want to be able to be proud of Israel and proud of our army. We want to build a perfect society where everyone can be happy. But we can't build that society by tying Israel's arm behind it's back. While your personal aim might be to improve the army, you are joining the voices of others who may have more devious goals. It took America over 200 years to get to where it is today, but the transition was an internal one. We need to work internally with the Israeli government and military, not externally with those who secretly wish for Israel's destruction. I hope that your goal for a more perfect Israel will someday be achieved, but for now, your actions are only making the situation worse.

Here's the gem that gives Donna away as a shallow sucker for Palestinian propaganda: "...this evidence-based report..." Based on evidence? No even close, and even Goldstone himself admitted that his report is mostly uncorroborated testimony. That is NOT evidence. It's what it is: testimony that relates to unsubstantiated events. Yes, some of the events did take place and research does bear it out, but lots of the Goldstone report is based on heresay and innuendo, and there is key evidence that Goldstone purposefully omitted: evidence from Israelis about Palestinian war crimes (for example, the doctor from Ashkelon who was severely wounded, testified before Goldstone, but none of her testimony was included). Donna Nevel has been gazing at her navel too much. She also listens to pro-Palestinian propagandists too much and is lazy. If she checked her facts she'd see Goldstone's report is not based on "evidence". This is the key complaint from Israel. I hate ignorant protesters.

Here's the gem that gives Donna away as a shallow sucker for Palestinian propaganda: "...this evidence-based report..." Based on evidence? No even close, and even Goldstone himself admitted that his report is mostly uncorroborated testimony. That is NOT evidence. It's what it is: testimony that relates to unsubstantiated events. Yes, some of the events did take place and research does bear it out, but lots of the Goldstone report is based on heresay and innuendo, and there is key evidence that Goldstone purposefully omitted: evidence from Israelis about Palestinian war crimes (for example, the doctor from Ashkelon who was severely wounded, testified before Goldstone, but none of her testimony was included). Donna Nevel has been gazing at her navel too much. She also listens to pro-Palestinian propagandists too much and is lazy. If she checked her facts she'd see Goldstone's report is not based on "evidence". This is the key complaint from Israel. I hate ignorant protesters.

In turn I will protest an organization that helps your children.

By his logic, everytime a country wins a war, it must be wrong because it ends up occupying the defeated country. So, this misguided moron must think that the USA was wrong in WWII because it ended up occupying Japan and Germany.

Blinded by empathy.

Then let Ms. Nevel attend a Friends of Hamas dinner and hopefully she will suffer acute indigestion.

have you even read the Goldstone report; do you know where it got its "facts" from. Come on now! Put it in perspective. Do you know the reason for going into Gaza? Have you seen the thousands of rockets, mortars and explosions thrown at Israel since it left Gaza? Have you read the reports of the phone calls, leaflets and loudspeakers telling people to leave the ares. Get your facts straight and your head out of the sand.

What a schmuck.

A Hero? Only to the enemies of the Jewish people

I for one am hoping that wherever you live there are no cops or courts or law or any intention to protect you. What could possibly go wrong?

Jews are being murdered by Arabs almost every week and this idiot is supporting them. I will make a donation to the IDF for a thousand dollars in the name of Donna Nevel. Thanks for your inspiration!

Let me Guess J Street will be out there next protesting. Always the MOST liberal JEWS probably someone who has never had to work a day in her life at a real job. What is a community educator any way? Donna Nevel, co-founder of JFREJ with Marilyn Kleinberg Neimark, is a community educator and organizer who has translated a consuming passion for fairness and justice into 25 years of political and social engagement. During that time, she has organized Palestinian-Israeli peace efforts; worked in Costa Rica with an indigenous human rights group; been involved in feminist organizing around economic empowerment; and coordinated education projects for social change with cultural and community groups, parents, and young people. She is currently co-coordinator of the Center for Immigrant Families, which she founded in 1996. Inseparable from her deep commitment to social justice activism is her intensely passionate love for her family, for her friends, and for music and dance.

Did it ever occur to you Donna that the IDF is not only fighting the palestinian jihadists but is also under the most impossible scrutiny from the haters of Israel from around the world. You are assuming that Israel does not have a moral army..it is impossible to fight against such enemies as Israel has and be angels..no countries army ..anywhere in the world can do what you expect Israel to do and not pay a terrible price. This price,for Israel,will be the destruction of the country. I do believe that there is something fundamentally insane about the lefts view of what is right and wrong concerning Israel. So in the end..who cares what you think and what you do...Israel does not need people like you...they have enough problems with the palestinians,who you covet,that want to destroy them. How do you look at yourself in the mirror and not want to vomit.

surely you would be familiar with cognitive Behavior Therapy.Also cognitive dissonance. You would know that you distort facts to suit your misguided ideology.Why don't you go to Israel and spend a few days with the kids in Sderot to understand the ongoing- not POST- trauma they experience? Perhaps a little professional integrity would be too much to ask you?

are a prime example.

supporting the most immoral organization in the world by attacking an organization that gives every effort to protect civilian life. Does any military in the world make the efforts that the Jewish army makes to protect civilian life?

Donna Nevel is a Jewish hero to whom I have my full respect. With people like you, Donna, we could have built together the best place on this earth.

Donna Nevel is a Jewish hero to whom I have my full respect. With people like you, Donna, we could have built together the best place on this earth.

Lastly, Your so called "GoldStone Fact finding report" is the most one sided report ever. Sure, you can't accuse Judge Goldstone of being anti-semitic, and I won't because hat is not the case. But I will claim he has NO IDEA - nor did any of his team members - of the realities of fighting a modern war against a ruthless enemy that fires rockets indiscriminatly from civilian areas (hosptials, mosques, schools and homes) at Israeli civilians and soldiers alike while the IDF went to great pains to limit collateral damage as much as possible. Sure Palestinian civilians were killed - certainly not purposefully, while if the Hamas had its way thousands of Israeli CIVILIANS would have been killed. If the IDF - with its huge war machine wanted to kill Palestinian civilians - then I think the numbers would be MUCH MUCH higher. Lastly Ms. Nevel - why does supporting the establishment of a two -state solution and supporting Israel and the IDF - have to contradict eachother? Dan

You will probably be hailed a heroine in the Islamic world for your unrelenting attacks on the IDF. Its a pity that you cannot look at the big picture and see what type of a place the Middle East is. Your article is published freely in an Israeli newspaper without censorship. Isn't this a tribute to Israeli Democracy? I guess it is not for you. Why don't you visit "enlightened Islamic countries" like Iran, Syria or Saudi Arabia and criticize their regimes. You would at least be imprisoned and held incommunicado.As a woman I'm sure that you appreciate the policies of the above regimes. Israel is fighting a war for survival. Sometimes this can get ugly. By your vitriolic attacks on the IDF you have been totally brainwashed by the unholy alliance of the radical left and extreme Islam.

With all due respect, you have some of your facts completely misconstrued. The fact that the IDF has to handle an occupation (yes, I admit) as one of its duties is completely due to a political decision (one forced on Israel by the Arab world's refusal to accept land for peace in 1967, and again in 2000) and certainly not any fault of the IDF' who is simply fulfilling a mission. I remind you its MAIN goal has and always will be the DEFENSE of Israel from its agressive neighbors who openly state they want to wipe Israel off the map. Secondly - as someone who serves in the IDF, and is a student of military history, the IDF is without a doubt THE MOST MORAL army in the world compared to other armies - certainly compared to its enemies. I challenge you to find one case of an IDF soldier acccused of raping an enemy women, I challenge you to find widespread looting arson murder of civilians and vandalism among IDF soldiers... you can't. cont'

As a current college student and one who engages in hasbara, I can personally state that we are not some indoctrinated force that needs to rely on the Holocaust and allegations of anti-Semitism to make our case. We merely state facts, and they are often enough to defeat any assertions of delegitimization and demonization that have made the anti-Zionists such a force. You'd be amazed how many people at this rally on March 9th know nothing of the conflict; if anything, they are the ones indoctrinated by biased sources and unfair initiatives like the "Israel Apartheid Week". Just because Donna Nevel can't see the greater picture doesn't mean Zionism is incompatible with anything, least of all with justice for the Palestinians. Justice is two states for two people, and I make this case every day on my campus. The IDF is a defense force and is no way "illegal". What a silly claim to throw in to the end of the article without any basis for why it is illegal.

Change always comes from within. When a Jew comes out and so eloquently but simply discredits the illegal and immoral behavior of Israel and the IDF, the label of antisemitic is no longer valid. The other label of self hating Jew has always been ridiculous. The last excuse for this abhorent behavior is security. "the Palestinians are ruthless, hate Jews and given the chance will destroy Israel, so we have to defend ourselves, thus the occupation". One day the people of Israel will realize that hating Jews is not a genetic condition Palestinians have but feelings developed over 60 years of occupation and oppression. I hope that day comes sooner than later. War is not the answer.