U.S. Jewish leaders echo European call to end Israeli settlement building

How can these putzs' (putzi?) believe "settlements" are the issue? They've lived through (some of them anyhow) terror when there were no "settlements" what makes them believe "settlemtnts" are an issue at all and not just a ruse so the PA can ignore recognizing Israel as legitimate? Cannot no one learn from history?

And they have not even lived in situations ANALOGOUS to them in any way, where I have (being born in India, which faces two definitely hostile, and two other potentially-hostile neighbours at all times--and has to handle chronic illegal-immigration from one of the potentials at all times).

The 5600 odd signers of this petition show that European Jewry does not agree with its sentiments, typical for Haaretz to yet again pick up on minority voices whilst ignoring the majority.

There's one word to describe these folks' efforts: counterproductive. If they could stop foaming at the mouth long enough to hear even a fraction of what folks like Israel's FM have to say, they may reconsider what they're doing. Lieberman gets to the point quickly and bursts their metaphors quickly as well. But the chances of that happening are pretty slim. Questioning one's world view and conceptual framework is one of the most terrifying things one can do.

and settlers cause menace to jews around the world.to make israel great again in the eyes of the world,like it was pre 1967,give up all occupation.for israel less,really is more

the decision rests w/ the people of Israel. Everyone wants to dictate to Israel what she must or must not do. These singers of a piece of paper might as well go live in Gaza as they represent their views NOT that of the people of Israel. Unbelievable chutzpah. Yankee go home.

did they build their homes in US in non - Arab districts? Did Dr. Freeze relay to them segregation lines via secret "peace" negotiations?

OPERATION CAST LEAD WAS RETRIBUTION FOR YEARS OF QASSAM ROCKETS FROM THE TERRORIST GROUP HAMAS, EACH ROCKET REPRESENTED AN ATTEMPTED MURDER (SOME SUCCESSFUL) AND IS A WAR CRIME. THE WEST BANK BELONGS TO ISRAEL. WHY? ASIDE FROM RELIGIOUS REASONS, ISRAEL WON IT IN THE WAR OF 1967. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS ‘OCCUPATION’ BY ISRAEL OF THE WEST BANK. IT BELONGS TO ISRAEL, PERIOD. ANYONE WHO BELIEVES THAT IT SHOULD BE 'GIVEN BACK', OBVIOUSLY BELIEVES THAT FRANCE SHOULD RETURN ALSACE-LORRAINE TO GERMANY, THE POLES SHOULD RETURN WESTERN POLAND TO GERMANY, THE RUSSIANS SHOULD RETURN KALININGRAD (KOENIGSBERG) TO GERMANY, THE RUSSIANS SHOULD RETURN SOUTHERN SAHKALIN ISLAND AND THE KURILE ISLANDS TO JAPAN, ETC. ETC. ETC. WHY ARE THE ISRAELIS BUILDING SETTLEMENTS ON THE WEST BANK? (I KNOW THAT MANY OF THE SETTLERS ARE ZEALOTS- WHO ELSE WOULD LIVE THERE?) IT IS TO ESTABLISH FACTS ON THE GROUND, AND ENSURE THAT THERE IS NEVER, EVER, EVER, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES A TERRORIST PALESTINIAN STATE. THE PALESTINIANS AND OTHER ARABS CANNOT BE TRUSTED. WHEN WILL THER BE PEACE? NEVER- NOT IN MY LIFETIME, NOT IN YOUR LIFETIME, AND CERTAINLY NOT IN GOD'S LIFETIME. THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT HAMAS WILL EVENTUALLY TAKE OVER THE WEST BANK. THEN YOU CAN REALLY WATCH THE ROCKETS FLY, ESPECIALLY OUT OF EAST JERUSALEM. SOME CHRISTIAN HOLY PLACES MAY BE DESTROYED. WHAT SHOULD BE THE FUTURE OF THE PALESTINIANS? THEY SHOULD LIVE PEACEFULLY IN THE WEST BANK AS AN 'AUTONOMOUS REGION', THE SAME AS CHECHNYA LIVED UNDER THE SOVIETS. ISRAEL WILL CONTROL THE BORDERS AND FIREIGN POLICY. POLITICIANS, WAKE UP!

The Marranos of America have joined their European colleagues to disparage the courageous Zionist pioneers that settle on barren hilltops in Judea and Samaria under the flag of Israel and inculcate the admirable principles of Jewish national self-determination in our land to their children. Those troubled by Jews living in Judea place at the forefront of their conscience Israel as an idee fixe. In Paul Valery words, "An idee fixe is simply one that is singled out, a number that comes up nine times out of ten on the roulette wheel".

There is no East Jerusalem and West Jerusalem and Old City. There is but ONE Jerusalem and all of it is the capital of Israel. Jewish Leftists are JINO's (Jews In Name Only), willing to surrender what others have fought for in order to gain "peace in their time".

There has been a long and illustrious history of Jews who think that they are more hip than other Jews, who think that they are really beyond Jewish, part of the cognizenti. There is also a long and illustrious history of Jews who think that their personal position would be improved by identifying with the "other side". I need only mention Josephus or point to some Jewish capos in ghettos or concentration camps to illustrate my point. The real questions are: how many American Jews are calling for a freeze on so-called settlements and why? Personally I strenuously object the obscenely and virulently racist usage of the word "Palestinian". Its current usage is simply a Middle Eastern version of the racist usage of "Aryan". The fact that both terms were used by Jews, in their racist meaning, does not alter the disgusting racism in their use.

Its too little too late. What they warn about has already occurred....and the ritual condemnation of terrorism...well there really hasn't been any has there...yet the occupation continues

They call themselves Jews but if so they know God says His Holy city is never to be divided.They do live by The Torah or Gods word if they want two states . let them remember who and what they are and stand by Israel and their own people.. they forget they are Jews if they want this and go against the Laws and Words of God.. most western Jews have been brain washed into a life styleof forgetting who they are....Live there for awhile get out of a easy way of living and remember who you are...

Will this initiative make any positive difference ?

The goal of Jewish settlements in the West Bank and E. Jerusalem is ethnic cleansing of Arabs from the lands, plain and simple. Anyone who supports settlements supports ethnic cleansing.

Haaretz - how can you call this group "US Leaders"?? The signatory organizations are best fringe groups.

It is time to move beyond the propaganda and emotions of an Israel under attack. It is time to search for truth and justice. Our values should lead us to a just resolution of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. We are a people committed to helping those least able to help themselves. Let us help Israel reconcile with the Arabs and practice the values of truth and justice. Obama is helping lead this charge, and we should support a fair and just two state resolution.

It is time to move beyond the propaganda and emotions of an Israel under attack. It is time to search for truth and justice. Our values should lead us to a just resolution of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. We are a people committed to helping those least able to help themselves. Let us help Israel reconcile with the Arabs and practice the values of truth and justice. Obama is helping lead this charge, and we should support a fair and just two state resolution.

I live in the U.S. and never heard of one of these people. Leaders of American Jews???Maybe in there own mind - but not too many following

Leading Jews are not Jewish Leaders. And for the most part, the attached list does not even contain "leading Jews". Who? Theodore Bikel?? Give us a break.

since the 6-days-wars settlents started with a reason, namely to be a stepping stone for invading arab armies. Now there are close to 300´ jews living in Yehuda an Shomron (the West Bank). These people will finally be feel betrayed because many live alkready in the 3rd generation there and feel it as their homeland. The final question will be : the WestBank does not have to be "judenrein". Jews can live there as well as Pal Arabs live in Israel proper. However these Arab Israelis do have an Israeli passport, whereas Jews living in Palestine will have a pal passport. If this is not going to be the final result we shall see an uprising of settlers against the state (a jewish intifada). So: there must be a strong government to be able to explain the reality to the people (this goes for the other side as well)

These people aren't leaders. They're just run-of-the-mill people, and not many of them. Why exaggerate? You're going to get called out when you do- and you really did.

Do their children serve in IDF? If not then they don't have the right ti dictate their views to those who serve.

The future of Israel belongs to the Jews of Israel who are brave enough to stand up to the age old cruel political games and evil malevolence. Diaspora Jews who imagine lives of undisturbed convenience by threatening Israel with petitions dividing all the Jewish people, are abettors of the worst enemies of Israel.

JStreet was the first and most politically active (i.e., effective) group to take up the call of honor and justice. Your reporting of its activities was biased and now you just leave it out. Where were these European and American intellectuals a few months ago when JStreet was being excoriated, ignored and embarrassed by your extremist government? It is good for all that they have come out, but to read this piece, one would think that they were at the cutting edge, which they are not. Your reporting here is unpleasant in its omission of the driving force behind the Diaspora's expression of its opinion of Netanyahu's anti-democratic clique.

Their voices must translate into action. However, its good to see such people criticizing the occupational policies of consecutive Israeli governments. This will ensure continued international and political pressure on Israel which I hope will turn into the freedom of Palestinians.

If and when these so called Jewish leaders decide to live in Israel, work there, pay taxes, go to the army; then they can have a say in how to run Israel's policies.

"vigorous encouragement of the parties to make the concessions necessary for negotiations to advance. In that context, we call upon Israel immediately to cease construction of housing in the disputed territories." Everyone and their grandmother knows, by law, the territories are OCCUPIED not disputed. The concession that is to be made is to return land that NEVER belonged to Israel. Doesn't sound like much of a concession, huh?

hold education and knowledge in its values, it seems to have changed. the intelligent ones are a part of a dying branche, sad truth.

I get a sense of hope again!

Haaretz disappoints and aggravates when it fails to tell the whole story. For example, no mention here of the much more successful efforts in Europe exactly counter to the 5,600 signature letter. Stopping being fearful of the truth. 5,600 signatures is a respectable minority of European intellectuals - but you can also tell the whole story.

I am an American Jew and these "leaders" are not mine, nor do they have any permission to speak for me. Israel must have secure borders, and returning to pre-67 war borders is plain suicide. BG Airport, Afula, Netanya and Kfar Saba would be too close to a militarized Arab terrorist state, a mortal danger to Israeli citizens. Borders 15 km wide:, for a city, yes, for a country, are you crazy?

Millions have told Israel to stop building settlements. They have not listened. Some children do not listen when you tell them to stop stealing, this is when you give them a smack on the bottom. Israel has got used to this for decades and this is why it will take a few very big smacks to bring them back in line with humanity. Time is coming when this will be done. Not long now.

When is the Israeli public going to wake up and put a stop to the damage this government is doing to your country. The settlers are a civil war waiting to happen but do you think it will be any better in two years when the world is using sanctions and boycotts to demand an end to the occupation. If peace is what you want, make yourselves heard like the Jews in EU and US. 5000 at a rally in Jerusalem is a start but 500000 is what is needed.

That so many people believe the fabrication that Israel is occupying Palestinian lands--this is Israel's fault. 1) Israel does almost nothing in PR to prove they are the moral, legal sovereign of the West Bank; 2) what little PR Israel does relies almost exclusively on Biblical claims--this has no meaning for the people you want to convince; 3) Israel's strongest argument is that Jordan invaded in 1948 / 49, massacred Jews and made the area Judenrein. And this happened again in 1967 when Jordan attacked Israel for days while Israel literally begged Jordan not to align with Syria and Egypt's war. But Jordan kept shooting (close to a dozen Israelis were killed by Jordanian shooting and mortars), so Israel crossed over on Wednesday and defeated the Jordanians. Israel is now the only legitimate sovereign of the West Bank. Instead of defending their own position, Israel lets the arab governments get away uncontested with their infinity of lies. the arab governments are the most consistently prolific liars that has ever cursed the face of the earth.

The settlements are simply wrong and the only way to right that wrong is to return them to the Palestinians for their own state/ Jews world wide are beginning to see that without giving back there will be no chance for peace or normal lives for Israelis. We must do this however painful it may be to assure the future of the Jewish State.

The settlements are simply wrong and the only way to right that wrong is to return them to the Palestinians for their own state/ Jews world wide are beginning to see that without giving back there will be no chance for peace or normal lives for Israelis. We must do this however painful it may be to assure the future of the Jewish State.

These Jews remind me of the German Jews before the holocaust. My question to them ishenShen was the last time you visited Israel? Sounds to me that these 5,600 are more familiar with the layout of Disney World than they are with Israel.

It would be nice for Israel to have a group of foreign people support it financially and politically without thinking about the morality of the decisions it makes. It is probably not a reasonable expectation.

What is your point? That a majority of American Jews might not support Obama (according to a poll) does not mean that he is wrong and they are right. A vast majority of Germans supported Hitler and his party actively or passively, at least for a while. Does that mean that they were right? The fierce reactions against initiatives such as this one and JCall by many Israelis and even more rightwing Israel-'supporters' outside Israel only prove that they know that they can fool all the world some time and part of the world all the time, but not the whole world all the time. Israel should realize once and for all that true friends are the ones who have the guts, the concern and the love to tell you when and where you are wrong. All those who say Halleluyah to all that the israeli self-destructive government says and does, either have ulterior motives or simply just don't care about us at all.

Won't be long now. Soon we will be able to drive them all out -- in one car.

Won't be long now. Soon we will be able to drive them all out -- in one car.

It took these so called leaders to voice their opinions,in which the rest of us have known for some time.Israel land stealing policies and apartheid ways, will never make them a Jewish state.No government has will never recognize Jerusalem as it's capital,even with all Israel attemps to riddem Arabs from East Jerusalem.The Palestinians are finally getting some international support, it is clear that Israel do not want peace, those right will government is never capable of peace.Give Obama and Clinton credit, they have taken bold steps in which no US administration has taken against Israel, Israel excuses for making peace will only further isolate them, the world has clear view of Israel's agenda.A question for Israelis, do you want to keep on elected these right wing governments or do you want peace, in other words settlements or peace.

It is regretful that there are Rabbi's and intellectuals who form groups and sign petitions with no other aim but to push through the elimination of the Jewish State of Israel. If Israel disappears the future of the Diaspora Jews will be next. Take heed.

I am against the settlements in the West Bank and the ones we evacuated in Gaza, but let me point out that I am sure that if the settlements were not there the Palestinians would consider Tel Aviv,Haifa,Ashdod ,Jerusalem, etc etc as settlements and woudl demand we evacuate these, up to 1975 there were no settlements and both the Palestinaisn as well as the other Arab countries stated : NO PEACE, NO NEGOCIATIONS, NO RECOGNITION , this is BEFORE !! any settlements !!!!!, it took another 40 years for the Palestinians to negotiate with Israel for the 1967 lines , not the 1948 lines!!!, therefore the settements had some purpose. But dear US and European Intelectuals, we left Lebanon and got rockets from Nasralla, we left Gaza and we got Hamas shooting 10,000 rockets into Israel and stating categorically WE DO NOT RECOGNIZE ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO LIVE, we have a nutcase in Iran stating : we will wipe out Israel from the face of the earth... and you guys are sitting in the USA and in Europe and telling US here in Israel that we should just get up and leave the settlements without some agreement !!!, that we should risk having Hamas or PLO shooting rockets into Israel from Tulkarem , which is 11 km ( 7 miles !!) from Natanya !!! and then you will come and say ,,,, leave the settlements : I mean the settlement called Natanyam, the one called Tel Avi, the one called Ashkelon, The one called Eilat. Instead of pressuring Israel only why don''t you wise guys pressure the Palestinias i.e. PLO and Hamas to accept the fact that the state of Israel lis a reality... I think Jews had enough of negocides ,

The petition signatories suffer from accumulated fear of persecution of Jews, inherited and internalized by too high a proportion of Jews over millennia. It is an understandable result of historic demonizing by multitudes of 2 huge faiths who must say Jews are wrong to say their ways are right. But it is no excuse for Jews to give up another centimeter of this tiny land that we are indigenous to. Yes, we are close-related to the non-Jews here that leftists love to claim are THE indigenous ones. We Jews are indigenous here and claim but a tiny portion of the Mideast, unlike non-Jewish Arabs who claim a huge proportion of it. Only if all nations drop from earth at once might it be ok to cut down Israel even more. Israel is one one of the smallest and oldest nations. The petition signatories forget or ignore that simple truth.

Where are the Arab counterpart to these people, beseeching Obama to impose Peace on the Arab leaders ?? Where are the Arab signatories demanding Hamas recognize Israel, remove Israel's destruction from their Charter, put the screws to Abbas to make Peace ?? Or, is is ALWAYS one-sided mumbo-jumbo with the Arabs. Until we see 5600 signatures on an Arab petition, this is meaningless. These misguided losers, are like Olmert, tired of winning. C'mon Arabs, step up with your petitions of Peace. We dare you.

Maybe I might be able during my lifetime to move back to country of origin without having a guilty conscience with every breath I take.

have any of this numbskulls even visited Israel? they would know the truth and not speak"blasphemy" against the Israeli state and the future of Israel and therefore also that of ALL Jews the world over

they are the dead branch of the jewish tree cut it off

„Dear friends, a group of French Jewish intellectuals has recently promoted a manifesto (JCall - "Call for Reason"), which essentially is an attempt to compel Israel to give up and surrender. The JCall document will contribute to strengthen the great wave of delegitimization of the State of Israel and of its politics. We have answered with the power of the real reasons, the reasons of Israel, and we want the number and quality of our signatories to show that a large opinion movement in defense of Israel exists all through Europe and worldwide. You can read below our appeal "Stand for Israel, stand for reason". We ask you to sign it and spread it through all your contacts to achieve our goal as soon as possible.“ http://fiammanirenstein.com/articoli.asp?Categoria=5&Id=2364 To sign the petition, please go to: http://www.petitiononline.com/israel48/petition-sign.html

Last month, a McLauglin and Associates poll of American-Jewish opinion indicated that although Mr. Obama won in 2008 with a massive 78% of the Jewish vote, today, a plurality of 46% of American Jews say they would consider voting for someone else against him in 2012. That same poll showed that 52% of American Jews disapprove of the Obama administration's plan to recognize a Palestinian state within 2 years; only 28% approve of it. In addition, 64% of American Jews of American Jews believe Jerusalem should remain the undivided capital of Israel, while only 13% say the US should force Israel to relinquish parts of the city to Palestinians.

It is refreshing to know that in the world exist fantastic Jews like that. It is a vert welcoming news.

Its is great to see all these intellectual and powerful people stand up and say Enough. Its time to say enough to settlements and give peace a chance.