Is Europe's new Jewish group putting unfair pressure on Israel?
JCall co-founder David Chemla says some pressure is actually helping Israel's image in Europe.
By Danna Harman Tags: Israel news Jewish world David Chemla
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A boy peering out from under an Israeli flag in April, 2010. |
| Photo by: Reuters |
A computer analyst and writer who was born in Tunisia, David Chemla lived in Israel for 10 years, served in the Israel Defense Forces and today resides in Paris, where he serves as chair of Peace Now France. He spoke to Haaretz on his way to Brussels, where he was headed to present JCall's "European Jewish Call for Reason" petition to the European Parliament today.
JCall is an initiative of public figures and intellectuals, such as Bernard-Henri Levy, Alain Finkielkraut and Daniel Cohn-Bendit, which seeks to make a new Jewish European voice heard on Israel-related issues. The petition being presented in Brussels underscores Israel's right to exist "as a Jewish and democratic state," but also criticizes Israeli policies - such as the continued settlement policy in the West Bank - and calls for a "viable and sovereign Palestinian state" alongside Israel. JCall has collected more than 3,000 signatures online.
Considering the animosity in Europe today toward Israel's policies, and even toward Israel in general, how is this initiative helpful? Don't you think putting more pressure on a beleaguered Israel at this time is irresponsible?
I think our initiative is actually helping Israel's image in Europe. It is a pretty low image over here these days, because of what happened in Gaza, mainly, and it is commonly believed in Europe that Israel is the provocative, negative side of the conflict - the one that is blocking the peace process.
What we are doing is showing that within the Jewish community there is debate - an open debate - and that we are not monolithic. We identify ourselves with Israel and its rights, but we criticize. This is healthy and needed. We are Jews, Zionists and are always ready to stand up for Israel's right to exist. We are against delegitimization and boycotts of Israel, but what we are showing is that it's okay to be identified with Israel, and at the same time also to criticize [some] of it's actions.
As for [being] responsible, we are doing the only responsible thing we can think to do. We are speaking as friends of Israel and we are saying "You are going to make a mistake. You have to decide how to behave, not us. But as friends, as Jews, we want to tell you that you are going down a wrong path."
In Israel, it seems there are plenty of people living with their heads in the sand. The economic and the security situations are fine, so there is this idea that there is no hurry, that there is time to resolve this crisis - but there is not. We don't think time is on Israel's [side]. We are worried that a two-state solution is slipping through our fingers.
How did JCall come about? Whose idea was it?
The initiative was started by a small group of Jews, members of all sorts of Jewish bodies around Europe. I am part of Peace Now in France, for example. In Switzerland and Italy, there is a group called the Martin Buber circle whose members were active, and so on.
A few months ago, we got together in Paris from all over Europe - about 20 people - and we spoke about the situation and talked about doing this. We agreed to several principles: First of all, we are all Zionists. Second, we are against the government actions on settlements. And third, we are against delegitimization and boycotts [of Israel]. We came together and started working on this petition.
Did you model yourself on J Street in the United States? And what does this say about changes taking place in the Diaspora vis-a-vis Israel today?
Of course we have followed J Street and what they have been doing. We know some of them - but they are Americans, they don't want to start doing politics in Europe. So we have no organizational connection to J Street, but we know about each other and we are interested in seeing what's going on in each other's work. It is hard to say what might happen later, and whether we might cooperate, but for now we [J Call] are just focused on launching our own organization.
In Europe, it is hard to compare Jewish communities, as each has it's own story. But I can best analyze the French community and what is changing there.
The French community is often considered to be on the right side of the political spectrum, mainly because of the positions of the Conseil Representatif des Institutions juives de France (CRIF) which is the official Jewish organization representing the community. We recognize the CRIF of course and have no discussion about the fact that they are the official voice. But as many as 70 to 80 percent of Jews in France don't even belong to any sort of organization - not the CRIF or any other - and therefore do not feel their voices are represented.
How have the traditional Jewish community leaders responded? I see there is already a counter-movement to JCall starting up, called "Keep Your Reason." A co-sponsor of that movement, the Algerian-born French scholar Shmuel Trigano, calls your initiative "totally outdated" and says it gives "the feeling that Israel is the sole obstacle to peace."
Well, its healthy to have a debate. I am happy to have it out with them, privately or publicly. We are not brothers who have to agree on everything. We are equal citizens and everyone can speak for themselves.
And of course, we are getting attacked from both sides. Trigano is moderate relative to some of the reactions we have gotten from the right.
We have been receiving e-mails saying we are traitors and that those opposed to what we have to say will also come to Brussels and disrupt our activities. But I don't think they can get into parliament, because there will be police there.
On the other side, the left, pro-Palestinian groups are also attacking us, saying our text is very Zionist and that we do not address the Palestinians directly - rather that we are just repackaging the same old Israeli Zionist claims. In a way they are right, we have not invented America and to them I say, we have not come to address everything. We are Jews and we are Zionists and we are focused in a new way on some aspects of the problem.
How much support do you currently have? And how do you intend to keep your momentum going?
More than 3,000 people have signed the petition and every day more people are signing on. In Brussels, there is only room for 400 people in the auditorium for our meeting and all the places are already taken. People are coming in from Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France.
What about the British? Where are they?
The British are partners to the idea, and there are some prominent Brits who have signed on, but [in terms of] Jewish institutions there, they are not yet partnering in full with the initiative.
Anyway, after the meetings today in Brussels we will continue to strengthen and expand to other countries. We will meet and keep in touch. The idea is to meet up every few months in a different European country. The next meeting will probably be in France, maybe after the summer and the [Jewish] holidays, when we are a little stronger and better organized. Our plan is to slowly slowly expand, continue explaining ourselves and engage with those who want to criticize.
What do you ultimately hope to accomplish with this initiative? Where do you see yourselves in a year?
I can't answer that as I don't have a crystal ball, but I am convinced that there is a need for this initiative in Europe. The responses we have received so far show that there are many many people - Jews - who are thankful for us for bringing their voice out. People are tired of not having any hope.
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Young weak, coward Ameircan Jews start J Street and now Young weak, coward European Jews start J Call. You must be smart, educated and strong to be a Jew in today's world if you can't do this find another faith because you won't survive and you will get in the way of the business at hand and that is Jews must get vocal, aggressive, mobilize, learn self defense and restart the Jewish Defense League. There is only one place you will learn these skill and that is our country and homeland Israel. When compared to our brothers and sister in Israel we are a disgrace, however we can change today. We know who our enemies are where they live and what there up to. If you have a problem confronting anti Jewish and anti Israeli people its time to get tough and rough. Our enemies understand might and power. Don't be concerned about the New Jewish Groups they are not putting pressure on us, we are. It's time to mobilize and to attack those who attack us it's just that easy. We need to carry a big stick and know when to use it with all our might until our enemies realize it's not worth getting their heads kicked in. Our future is our hands what are you going to do to change that? No is the time to react, for tomorrow will be to late.
If we want a two state solution (which is slipping away because of the settlements problem), that meaning the observance of a "jewish state"; to me beeing "zionist" means "to live" in Israel or at least "to have" Israeli citizenship. Just "to be" a pseudo-zionist "abroad" or "diaspora jew" doesn't count as a right to criticize "legitimately" the Israeli Goverment. For that you need "to vote". Then could you call yourself a "zionist". Otherwise is too easy and cheap to criticize, truly a contradiction. As a matter of fact the problem of the settlements is pragmatically unresolvable for "any" Israeli Government (left or right) today and in the future. (Therefore true-zionism is also slipping away as "time" goes by -making Sari Nusseibeh's One State solution, in that sense and practically speaking, more realistic than anything else). If you truly love your land come and defend it here in Israel, because the possiblity of a "crack" is increasing beyond your imagination, day by day.
as the sole capital of the jewish people. Those lefties have no clue of Jewish history and have no connection to the land. If a party needs to make concession for peace, the arabs living now in the land of the jewish people should do. Why do they need Jerusalem when they have Mecca and Medina. Is it not OK to give to the jewish people 25'000 km square in the whole world. To dig quietly in Hebron and Bethlehem and find relief of jewish history ? The gap between IL and the Arabs is wide because they do not want to reduce it. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
Poor soul, Israel, ah! Ethernal and ulitimative victim. ;))))))))
Since they did not ask for equal pressure to be put on the Palestinian side they have no credibility whatsoever.
I'll like to know who is running this country?. Israel has a government elected by the majority. Unless this group receives directions from Jerusalem, it may harm the Jewish State's national best interest .
By slandering well intentioned friends of Israel just because you do not agree with their political take on our complex reality - you not only do a disservice to them - you also injure Israel as both a Jewish and democratic state. Shame on U!
Doesn't it tell you something about an organization that has Daniel Cohn-Bendit as a member? Are we all supposed to have short memories? In May, 1968, He was a leader of the student Marxist radicals which shut down universities throughout France and nearly toppled De Gaulle. Why is this important? Because Cohn-Bendit and the French intelligentsia have a lot to answer for. It is these "intellectuals" who almost unanimously (Sartre included) approved of the Gulags long after the existence of those terror camps was well known in the West. They stood up for it. They (as only the French can do) rationalized it. They supported Stalin's purges whose early victims were a Who's Who of prominent Jewish Bolsheviks. They knew of the malignant nature of Bolshevism yet they supported it. This is the intellectual coterie to which Cohn-Bendit belongs. So, what does it mean that he declares himself a friend of Israel now? In Europe today anti-semitism, anti-Israel, anti-Zionism is a fetish of the Left. Cohn-Bendit is of a cast of mind that is antithetical to representative democracy; to human rights, to individualism and to common decency.
As a Jew in the Diaspora I can only lend my support for the Jewish State and try to inform people about the greatness of the country. I have to diffuse the lies and propaganda that is spreading widely through arab lies and distortions..through the ugly rhetoric of the left and their conduits like haaretz.. Israel is the beacon of safety for every Jew in the world...the lighthouse for refuge when things turn ugly and believe me they will. If the left continues to cut Israel down at the knees we will all suffer. I don't care what happens to the lefties but I do care about what happens to intelligent thinking people who see the world for what it is..who see obama for what he is and who sees the sick Jewish left for what they are. I will not let them neuter Israel and with the help of G-d people will come to their senses. As for the european Jews if you were smart you would get out of there as fast as you can. The writing is on the wall,just as in the 30's. Today you have the advantage of modern tech to know everything that is going on. You have no excuse for your stupidity.
Hi,Connie, It has been my pleasure reading you posts. A true analysis of the situation,especially,those concerning the Diaspora. A strange trait of the Jews: they never seem to understand the writing on the wall. Year after year decade after decade & century after they have always failed. But where some may have found,or could have found some excuse for their blindness,There is no excuse. Now that Israel is Re-Born from the ashes of history,every effort must be made to preserve & strengthen her,no matter what . And not to undercut her with imported lopsided philosophies. When your House is in trouble,where will you turn,if not to ISRAEL !?
Israel is not the Jewish faith. Israel is not the representative of the Jews of the world. Israel is a state that has become a homeland for many Jews but still is subject to all the temptations of any other state. Land, resources, security and economic growth have arisen as priorities as with any other state. At one time it was thought that our Judaic traditions and values would result in a highly moral state. Our military would always take the high moral ground. The Arabs previously occupying Israel would be treated justly. Israel would be an example to the world. Unfortunately the development of Israeli nationalism and the needs of a state have conflicted many of our values. For us to remain true to our Judaic values, we must direct constructive criticism towards Israeli leadership and the malaise that simmers beneath the surface of Israel. This is a world of diversity with increasing commitment by responsible naytions to the protection of all peoples human rights.
continued one-sided pressure on Israel does not encourage the Palestinians to engage in serious negotiations and only endangers the already unstable situation in the region. the European Union should also pressure the PA to end its incitement, rhetoric and hate education. It should worry those countries that fund the PA that in the last couple of weeks a road within the government compound in Ramallah was named after a" Hamas bomb maker” and that European taxpayers’ money should not go to activities that glorify mass murder.
If you were zionists and wanted to help Israel you would move here and live here. You live in Paris, don't try and make decisions and play with our lives.
Don't you think, it is unfair for you to judge them? Besides, it the Diaspora Jews, who makes Israel stronger, right?
Considering the extraordinary amounts of money that European Jews spend in Israel each year during their vacation, they have the right to intervene and criticize. Without them, dozens of thousands of Israelis would be jobless and all of Israel would be plunged into poverty.
If you were zionists and wanted to help Israel you would move here and live here. You live in Paris, don't try and make decisions and play with our lives.
As friends of Israel and the Palestinians and being Pro-peace I think No one can tell anyone what to do but we must rise above the problems and make them a challenge to achieve peace and prosperity.
For those of us who remember the past - those who have learned from it - this is a curious article. When Israel was born, it was a hope of salvation for European Jews, and a symbol of hope and affirmation for America's Jews. Both wished only the best for Israel, which was a nation of brave people seeking preservation in the face of immense odds, not only against Arabs, but against the problem of establishing a viable nation in the wreck that had become the Palestinian mandate. Now Israelis seem to think that the Jews of Europe and America are traitors because they do not slavishly serve the desires of Israel's most extreme elements. Could the Israeli right have it wrong? There is a theme amongst the Israeli right that not only the entire world, but all those Jews outside Israel, are anti-Semites, enemies of Israel, little more than Arabs in disguise. Perhaps the REAL enemies of Israel, and Judaism, are those extremists amongst Israeli's who have turned that nation into something that more resembles everything it was created to oppose than the light unto the world it was intended to be. Does being Jewish require killing every man, woman and child, the destruction of orchards and livestock, the genocide of the neo-Amalekites (palestinians)? Or has Judaism become something better than it's bronze-age existence? We have Settlers who believe that they have not only the right, but the mandate, to exterminate anyone in their way. Is Israel a nation which would stand with Al Quaeda, or does it stand for something deeper, more decent, and far more moral as so many of us used to - and would like to still - believe?
For decades even hundreds of years, the Jewish world has contained a small minority of extremists. The problem is the non-Jewish world identify Israel as an extremist state, they refuse to accept the good, they rather focus on the bad. The extremists in Israel are a tiny minority. Thousands of Palestinians travel into Israel everyday to work and earn a living and thousands of Palestinians are treated in Israeli hospitals. This is what Judaism is and here in Israel it is more alive than ever. However Diaspora Jews are unaware of this, these lobbyists they try to tell the Israeli government what to do, that have no democratic mandate, choose to define Israel by its extremist minority not by its peace-loving majority.
Some Jews feel that what is hateful to them, they should not do to others. If they live in the US where Jews are the same as everyone else with the same rights, they might not want to support a nation which discriminates because of religion. A simple solution is for Israel to treat gentiles as the US treats Jews.
In Sweden Jews are forced to act against Israel otherwise they will get beatings from leftists and arabs. European Jews are scared to death again and they do whatever to please the terrorists risiding in Europe.
Please, understan us! We've been treated always in Europe. Now even arabs are treating us together with NeoNazi and the leftists. We're forced to act against Israel otherwise we will be killed here in Europe.
It is not antisemitism. Most European no longer believe in the truth of Old and New Testament, so they do not accept that there is a God who has given the land to Jews in Israel and Palestine. Plundering the land by settlers does not help.
JCall apparently is unable to answer the question " What do you ultimately hope to accomplish with this initiative? Where do you see yourselves in a year? " , meaning that as things stand, JCall is a waste of time for themselves as well as for us, unless they still get an act together, which is then to be judged on its merits, but it is a bad start already.
Criticism is great but only as long as Europeans, never mind if Jewish or not, see Israel within context of its neighbour's state of affairs. Avoid ethnocentric thinking!
Jews in Gernmany bent over backwards to criticize other Jews, so they would look more German than the Germans themselves. As over 6,000,000 Jews found out, the policy did not work then, and it will not work now.
Bravo David !!!!
The issues is not whether Disapora Jews have a right to criticise, it is a question of how much influence they should have and how much they interference they intend play in the Middle East conflict. Each individual has a democratic right to voice their opinion and in our modern democracies the concept of freedom of speech provides this. However the Diaspora wants to dictate Israeli domestic and foreign policy, this in my view is cowardly and wrong. If these people are so passionate about Israel, where are they not here exercising their views through the ballot box? At the end of the day it is down to the Israelis and Palestinians to make peace, not for America, Germany or any other country for that matter. The Diaspora world can chase the 'dream' and the 'dollar' etc. If their focus and passion is to build an ever lasting peace, why don't these lobbyists come and live here? Thoughts and opinions are welcome, however the policies of the Palestinian Authority and of the Israeli Government need to come first and foremost from their own subcultures and societies. This is how peace will be made, not from armchairs in London or New York.
The issues is not whether Disapora Jews have a right to criticise, it is a question of how much influence they should have and how much they interference they intend play in the Middle East conflict. Each individual has a democratic right to voice their opinion and in our modern democracies the concept of freedom of speech provides this. However the Diaspora wants to dictate Israeli domestic and foreign policy, this in my view is cowardly and wrong. If these people are so passionate about Israel, where are they not here exercising their views through the ballot box? At the end of the day it is down to the Israelis and Palestinians to make peace, not for America, Germany or any other country for that matter. The Diaspora world can chase the 'dream' and the 'dollar' etc. If their focus and passion is to build an ever lasting peace, why don't these lobbyists come and live here? Thoughts and opinions are welcome, however the policies of the Palestinian Authority and of the Israeli Government need to come first and foremost from their own subcultures and societies. This is how peace will be made, not from armchairs in London or New York.
Just think about it, European intellectuals, American liberals, the vast preponderance of Israeli academics and intellectuals are trying to find the way to a just and comprehensive peace. Who opposes them? What definition is most applicable to those who denigrate and revile the searchers of peace; what are their motives, what do they hope to accomplish, what price are they will to pay to avoid a equitable peace? I hope that we figure the answers to all those questions before the next election.
Israeli Jews dont seem to care or worry. The vast majority have their heads in the sand. The buildingse are collapsing around them but they carry on ignoring. Somebody has to help them.
From what I read sounds like JCALL is a better alternative to JStreet. While condemning Israeli settlements ( which I have know qualms about) they do not bend to leftist pressure and support Boycotts and delegitimization of Israel such as Jstreet does. Also I would like to know if they supprt the Goldstone UN inquiry witchunt as Jstreet does. If not then this group seems to one that I would certainly be interested in learning more about. Here in the States we have to extremes AIPAC and Jstreet both don't represent me and my pragmatic views or the entire Jewish people regardless of what some straw poll states.
How do you know it was witchhunt? Where YOU in Gaza ??? Or sitting in your armchair 1000s of miles away?
How do you know it wasn't. Save your hysterics for somebody thats gives a crap. Its irrelevant where I sit. Clearly the mere fact that inquiry was called for is suspicious enough inlight the "legitimate" cases of human rights abuses that go on daily in other parts of the world. There were sinister motives behind this inquiry from nations whose human rights record are deplorable.
I am not aware of a single group in the Arab world speaking up for Israel. This seems to be domain exclusively occupied by Jewish so called "friends" who are highly critical of Israel and supporting Palestinians. With "friends" like these who needs enemies? Where were the same people when Israel was subject to rocket attacks? Were they petitioning anybody to put an end to these attacks? Do they protest about Hamas activities and pronouncements? What about Iranian threats? Israel needs support. It is the only democratic state in the Middle East. Before you petition anybody against Israel consider how this will be used by Israel's enemies. Wellbeing of Jews all over the world depends on Israel's existence and strength. This is the lesson from recent history.
How ironic that Daniel Cohn-Bendit is considered by Haaretz to be a Jewish leader. I remember him as "Danny the Red", an anarchist devoted to undermining the West and its values while not abdicating street violence or worse in the name of his cause.
Those who deny the right of Diaspora Jews to speak out are basically saying that Israel must cease to matter to us. Or worse, that we must shift with every wind while we detach our brains from our wallets. I haven't seen the right wing in the diaspora being quiet, either. Usually, the rabbinic pulpit is very noisy in defending the biblical real estate argument. Why shouldn't Jews care about the moral actions, or immoral actions, of our fellow Jews? Or are Israelis not to be considered Jews when it comes to shaming us? I note that the internet stuff telling us how many brains there are in Israel never cease. How can we shut off our minds and consciences?
The two-state solution has been accepted by the Jews and rejected by the Arabs six times: when it was proposed by the Peel Commission in 1937, by UNSCOP in 1947, by the Camp David Agreements in 1979, by Ehud Barak in July 2000, by Bill Clinton in December 2000 and by Ehud Olmert in September 2008. Ehud Olmert accepted the establishment of a Palestinian state on all of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (with land swaps), a shared sovereignty over Jerusalem, and an Israeli gesture on Palestinian refugees. Mahmoud Abbas turned down the offer and declared to The Washington Post a few months later that the gap between what Olmert offered and what the Palestinians were willing to accept was "huge."
Diaspora jews have no moral right to criticize Israel ! If you guys want to support us while staying away - no problem, you may do as you wish, but you have no moral right to criticize us as long as you are outsiders. You don't understand our lives and our realities and you do not take responsibility for your actions and critics. There are MANY things in Israel that should be changed and criticized (like in any other country), but this will be done by the insiders. You want to criticize - not problem - come to Israel, live with us and then criticize and change as much as you want and as much as you can.
We have at least the same right to criticize Israel as Israel to criticize Diaspora Jews. All of us who live in Europe and are Israeli citizens have the same right to criticize Israel as the German emigrants who left Germany 1933-1945. And the Jewish and non-Jewish has the same right to criticize Israel as the world had to criticize Germany 1933-1945, Russia 1917-1990, etc., etc., etc. You mmay not like our interference, but you can't stop it. Because we have full freedom of speech. That's one of the reasons why Israelis leave Israel, Russians leave Russia, and so on: to defend their own freedom in face of a society showing more and more fascist traits (see the last Univ. of Tel-Aviv survey on the opinion of Israelis on the civil rights for human rights NGOs in Israel. Myself, I spend each year a few months in Israel and the rest in Europe and US. And I criticize them all when they deserve it ... Best regards Bob
Of course, that means Israelis can no longer criticize the US when our President stands firm on the illegal settlements.
He is American President and not an Israeli one. We may disagree with him but we should not interfere in american internal politics, just like americans should not interfere in ours.
Somewhat I agree, If you dont exist, we will not be respected as Jews anywhere in the world
As long as you are calling yourselves a jewish state and putting the star of david on your flag. we have the right to criticise israel since its actions are done in the name of the jewish people.
I'll remember this next time an Israeli criticizes anyone in another country.
interfer in US affairs ! The most pro Israeli riht wing pple are working under Aipac in order to tell US what to do and think and ask for and criticize and which country to blame and what diplomat to summon etc etc.. So cut the crap about we Israelis dont tell Obama what to do, the guy is under constant pressure from these lobbies
Bob says: "I spend each year a few months in Israel and the rest in Europe and US. And I criticize them all when they deserve it ..." As conservatives know: doers do; those who cannot do - teach; those who cannot do or teach - criticize both doers and teachers. I always wondered, when a Jewish-born person wants to be "free" - speak what he wants, eat want he wants, marry whom he wants or become a gay, why not to move to another country that is more accommodating. No need to be a Jew. No need to change other "bad" Jews to become as yourself. Well, some did moved out of Israel, but they still are not liberated from the Jewish issues. Hey, live in France, enjoy that country! Do not get headache because of Israel. Chill out. Concentrate your energy to liberate all colonial islands, for example.
Let's see, it's perfectly O.K. for Obama to interfere in the going's on in Israel, tying our hands, and it's Verboten to criticize Emperor of the World wannabee Obama Obama thinks of himself as the President of the World, not just the USA Can't sleep?, listen to one of his speeches
clever people know the only way forward for israel,is to stop settlements now.remove settlers and get back to israel proper,israel pre 1967
correct
just remember this Israel: things look different from here and we are "manipulated" by the reporting of our medias here, whose views we make our own and criticize Israel based on them. How "objective" can you therefore take our opinions about Israel for? My advice to you Israelis: trust yourselves and stand firmly on your legs. Do not let diaspora criticism get into you. You know the best what is good for Israel and act your best acc. to the situation there. You deserve admiration for being democratic and free, surrounded by undemocratic dictatorships, which pl. note, we are not here. This makes all the difference. IF we were, I wonder how long we *d last here? Not 62 yrs like Israel and counting, that's for sure! Already after two decades of rapid islamization of Europe, our democracy is crumbling and freedoms narrowed, unlike Israel's. An indication that you must be doing something right, Israel.
When Jewish institutions in the diaspora act automatically in speaking out in support of the Israeli government they lose credibility. Among the Israeli people and within our media, there is a great diversity of views on how the government should proceed vis-à-vis the Palestinians. Why on earth shouldn't some diversity of perspective be encouraged among those who speak out in the diaspora? The creation of JCall is a very welcome development. Congratulations from Jerusalem to its founders.
it shows that Jews and Israelis are democratic and individual, they allow the formation of different ideas and attitudes- also shows that not all us Jews enjoy the death toll the IDF notches up
European Jews, like other Europeans, often see things out of context. The arab world has unique ways that are rarely understood. 22 Arab dictatorships plus 2 in the coming -- who are the cruel ones? I think the death toll 'pleasure' is polemic and shows how little Israel"s politics are taken in context of the ways of their neighbours.
in every possible outlet.
funny they are all very far left is that by pure chance?
I am wondering, why such call isn't heard from pals side. It is only from Jewish side to think doing better then the others, deciding for israely people what is better for them. Furthermore, pals don't have to change their inacceptable demands like return of all refugies, old Jerusalem (remind that jews weren't allowed in Jerusalem before 1967) and much more. Why pals will move toward Peace when jews (adding their voice to anti israel bashers) call for delegitimizing Israel? Personnally, I am against setlements in pals neighbourhood, not for the same reasons given by human rights organisations, but isarely must be master of their homes and not dispersing forces to defend small setlements. Unfortunately, when you have 3 jews together you have to deal with 4 opinions and JCALL adds to the confusion of aims. Helpijng anti zionists (new name for antisemits) is not needed, it should be better to convince israely instead of helping pals, the pals aren't ready for Peace and will continue so as long as calls ( US or european) help their intent to eradicate Israel. Asking for the return of pals refugies is a new way to attack and annihilate the state of Israel
....it seems every Pakl groups in inevitably labelled a faction or terririst group by Israel. The moment a jewish pro-peace forms however there is a fresh question raised as to why they are not toeing the Israeli party line of 'occupation = security'. Time is running out for these groups to dilly dally anymore wrt peace and Israel has the best chance ever to take the lead and make the moral concessions that the ROTW knows it should do.
I am a French speaker, so I know these guys quite well. Bernard-Henri Levy, Alain Finkielkraut are solid guys and staunch defenders of Justice, hense rights of Jewish people. They stuck their heads out in defence of Jewsih rights and took much flack. Daniel Cohn-Bendit is a bit funny, but none of these guys are of the same ilk as Goldstone, Falk or Israely left. They were left in their young years (I do not consider them left any longer), they are very influantial with intellectuals and news papers. I am right wing and I am very impressed by these three. Actualy I am quite hopeful
I do not know in what respect CRIF is official. They do not represent me and I do not need to be represented as anything else than a french citizen.