Heading toward an irreparable rift between U.S. Jews and Protestants

"Rabbi" yoffie may be called as such in the US, but in Israel he is not.

It would reflect the widespread view in America that the settlements are harmful to the security of both the U.S. and Israel. If Israel has money for the settlements, they certainly don't need us to borrow billions every year to give to them.

I think we are talking about mainline Protestant Church leaders, whose views have little to do with the views of ordinary Protestants, mainline or not, who generally support Israel -- and, no, not for theological reasons. Anglo-Protestants have never been anti-Semitic to any significant degree. Those guys and gals coming out of the various Protestant seminaries on the other hand -- they are a different species altogether.

Fundamentalist Christians, who are Protestant, are all strong supporters of Israel. There are hundreds of Christian denominations. America is a democracy. You can't expect everyone to line up on Israel's side. Fifteen left leaning denominations out of several hundred Protestant churches should not cause undue alarm. Their influence should not be ignored, but neither should it be exaggerated.

Israel should have reconsider how it treats the US. Like trying to drag it in a war and announcing settlement building while the VP is on a visit. And as far as fairness, try applying that to the Palestinians. Most Americans who support Israel because they are constantly being told that they are our ally. Most are clueless.

Rabbi Yoffie says "As Egypt’s Nasser prepared for war and proclaimed his intention to annihilate millions of Jews, ..." But Nasser, despite his grandstanding, did not have the ability to invade Israel. CIA intel confirmed this. After the war, Rabin and Begin confirmed this to the media. Israel launched this war, in part to put an end to Nasser's toothless provocations, and in part to grab more territory, which they swiftly settled. The Protestants were right. Please, please stop repeating the old distortions.

In fact, we consider Carter a saint for his unwavering dedication to justice and his good works. The more Israel hates him, the more certain we become.

and will continue to do so.....

and will continue to do so.....

What possible good can come from shunning the American churchmen?

More of us in Amaerica SUPPORT YOU Israel! We love you! Hang in there!

MK Aryeh Eldad delivered a deeply-felt address to a large California church earlier this year, which was received enthusiastically. Nearly everything was framed in terms of what was good for Israel. This requires a consuming interpretation of scripture which, quite simply, is not shared by all churches.

I am an American Jew who has lived more than three decades in Israel. I do not find these Protestant objections as 'anti-Semitic' as the writer seems to suggest. Why should the Israeli government feel so secure in its aid from America that it ignores all American requests about the Peace Process that it doesn't "like", such as ceasing to build settlements on the West Bank. Why should America have to give automatic approval to every decision of the Israeli government. The past is the past and invoking indifference in the past does not justify 'rubber stamping' all Israeli government decisions in 2012. Just for the record, I have lived through four wars in Israel.

In this article Rabbi Yoffie states that the Jewish community expects a single standard of moral judgement when evaluating Israeli/Palestinian realities. That's an impossible request when taking into account the number of Americans there are with opinions on this subject. In general I would say the moral judgement says Israel is in the wrong. Israel is the power as the the occupier and they have and continue to treat the Palestinians unfairly. What you're really uptight about is this group didn't give you a heads up so you could foil their attempt to let the Congress know how they and their parishioners feel regarding this situation, and that they expect their Congressman to do something about it. The previous conversations obviously didn't motivate you to make appropriate reality changes.

if you think protestant support is dwindling worldwide; isn't it time to scratch behind your ears? Israeli intransigence is what caused the current state of affairs.

True, Bible-believing Christians recognize these 15 pastors for what they are: Apostates, leading the church away from Jesus Christ. They will very much regret this decision when they are left behind in the Rapture and forced to choose between God and the taking of the mark of the beast. Wouldn't want to be in their shoes.

The mainline churches need to be mentioned, focused upon. These are the Church of England (UK), Presbyterian (USA), Lutherans, Methodist United, National Council of Churches, pacifist groups like Mennonites/Quakers -- these protestant groups are aligned with Naim Ateek's "liberation theology" (Sabeel Inst., Jerusalem). Avoid them; stop their leaders from entering Israel; deport them -- the leadership of these denominations are NOT christians -- they are heretics.

How pretentious to assume these liberal "progressive" groups of American christians are anywhere "Mainline". Haaretz would have you all believe that liberal christians are the majority. Let it be clear that evangelical christians support the state of Israel 100%.

I am a protestant Christian and love the Jews as well as Israel. The protestants that you are speaking of is Replacement Theology Christians. The true Christians of the Bible do not believe in Replacement Theology. I support Israel!!!!!!

Its shame that this fallout will continue since we should pull together in these times of hate.

Supporting Israel causes too much blow back..... not worth the price.....

Speaking as a Christian (not catholic and not protestant because my faith was never regulated by the papacy). Why is it so difficult for Israel accept what the Lord God has promised to you? I do. And I still pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Don't worry about these so called "mainline protestants", they are mostly common pagans and simply living faithless lives. Reserved for the fire. Be strong, israel, true Christians will never forsake you.

What this article doesn't mention is that liberal mainline Protestantism is becoming increasingly irrelevant. All the big denominations are losing membership - and with antics like this, they deserve to. Meanwhile the evangelical protestant churches are growing, and most are extremely pro-Israel. So, to the Jewish groups that left this so-called umbrella organiztion: don't sweat it! Pick a better bunch of Protestants next time.

If the price for relationship with these Jewish groups is to accept their insistence that we rubber-stamp every Israeli policy, no matter how egregious, then perhaps the relationship is too expensive.

Hate to tell you they are being fair and balanced. They see the hatred towards Christians by Israel's religious fanatics that are regularly torching churches and mosques with government support. It's not these Protestants problem it's Israel's problem and the world is noticing.

Numerous times, pro-Israeli governments around the world have urged Israel to stop the settlement building and human rights violations, but Israel just ignores it. The only option seems to be to threaten Israel with consequences if it continues to ignore world opinion (and the opinion of many Israelis, including Rabbi Yoffie, apparently). Just stop the settlements and the human rights violations if you want the dollars will continue to flow - it's as simple as that! However, Rabbi Yoffie seems mainly upset over the fact that the letter didn't also contain the usual reassuring sentences that the writers aren't hostile to Israel. American Protestants have demonstrated their friendliness to Israel over and over again - if it weren't for their friendliness, Israel wouldn't be getting this aid and American politicians wouldn't constantly feel obliged to declare their support of Israel. Unfortunately, if the letter had contained the usual reassurances, nobody would have taken any notice of it. Now, however, some are very upset about it. Perhaps that was the intention - to get the culprits to listen...

Rabbi Yoffe, in a Haaretz op-ed on July 11, 2012 you said: "A stunning reversal of previous Israeli government positions on settlement and a challenge to all mainstream readings of international law, the Levy Report, if adopted, would be incomprehensible not only to Presbyterians but to the great majority of Americans." Well, Netanyahu is still busy trying to get parts of it adopted. And a new poll records a majority of Israeli Jews in favor of apartheid policies here in Israel. None of this is the fault of American Protestants. Why blame the messenger?

Just as whites did not have to identify with South Africa, so Jews have a choice in relation to Israel. Zionism was not always the main stream of Jewish thought, and need not remain so.

He was a a paper tiger. He simply did not have the military to invade Israel. US intelligence said this. After the war, Rabin and Begin said it. It was Israel that lashed out (after some provocations) and seized large amounts of land.

Why is it being published in Ha'aretz? Just for the headline?

Seriously, do you guys even hear yourself talk?