• About

Rabbi John Rosove's Blog

Rabbi John Rosove's Blog

Monthly Archives: August 2019

Germany’s Merkel insists on two-state solution in Israel-Palestine conflict

30 Friday Aug 2019

Posted by rabbijohnrosove in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Ethics, Human rights, Israel and Palestine, Israel/Zionism, Jewish History, Social Justice

≈ Leave a comment

Note: This is an important event given the abdication of the United States as a fair broker of a just settlement of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. President Trump promises that he will release some or all of his so-called “peace plan” for Israel and the Palestinians before Israel’s September 17 election, or immediate following. However, no one expects it to be a balanced plan and most anticipate that it will not deal with any of the essential issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (e.g. borders, security, Jerusalem, refugees). As Trump and the American Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, whittle away time, Israel’s right-wing government continues its settlement expansion project unencumbered by pressure from the US making a two-state solution (the only solution that can preserve Israel’s Jewish and democratic character) increasingly more difficult to achieve. The inspired leadership of German Chancellor Angela Merkel is what is required of the United States. Anyone who says that Trump is a “true friend” of the State of Israel ignores the fact that his policies have fatally alienated the Palestinians from even talking to American representatives.

Trump has effectively negated America’s role in helping the parties find a peaceful, secure, and just resolution of the conflict for Israel and the Jewish people. He speaks of American liberal Jews “loyalty” to Israel. His hubris is matched by the destructive role he and his administration have played in protecting Israel’s future as a Jewish and democratic state.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have held talks in Berlin. Abbas called for Europe to play a greater role in the Middle East peace process because he says the US is not neutral.

Abbas said that Palestinians are ready to negotiate a two-state solution within 1967 borders, but he criticized US President Donald Trump for taking the side of Israel on such issues as the status of Jerusalem, refugees, borders and settlements.

Read more: Jared Kushner’s plan for Palestinians: What’s (not) in it?

The Palestinians have cut off relations with the United States and no longer view Washington as a neutral arbiter.

Germany, on the other hand, has taken efforts to support a multilateral approach instead of unilateral imposition, Abbas said.

“Therefore we demand that negotiations fall under an international umbrella” composed of a quartet of European states and Arab states to guide talks between Israelis and Palestinians, Abbas said.

https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-merkel-insists-on-two-state-solution-in-israel-palestine-conflict/a-50211907

Israel’s annexing of the West Bank constitutes a significant risk to Israel – Israeli security experts warn – The National

29 Thursday Aug 2019

Posted by rabbijohnrosove in Israel and Palestine, Israel/Zionism, Jewish History

≈ Leave a comment

Dozens of former Israeli security officials have called on the country’s hard-right government to not annex the occupied West Bank, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted he might do before next month’s repeat election.

In a letter sent to the government on Tuesday, 25 former senior defense figures said that the move would endanger Israel’s security, rather than bolster it.

“Any unilateral annexation of territory or extension of sovereignty to the West Bank will put Israel’s security and safety along with the well-being of its citizens at risk,” the letter said.

The signers of the letter included former leaders of the Mossad spy agency, the Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security service and three former advisers to Mr Netanyahu.

https://www.thenational.ae/…/security-officials-warn-israel…

Security officials warn Israel against annexation of occupied West Bank

UNITED STATES – ISRAEL RELATIONS IN JEOPARDY – Rabbi Dow Marmur writes from Jerusalem

22 Thursday Aug 2019

Posted by rabbijohnrosove in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Human rights, Israel/Zionism, Jewish History, Jewish Identity

≈ 1 Comment

Note: My friend Rabbi Dow Marmur in Jerusalem writes poignantly of this dangerous moment in the American-Israeli relationship given the Trump-Netanyahu love-fest and the damage these two leaders are causing.

“Is it possible that the US president, considered by many to be more supportive of Israel than any of his predecessors, uses the terminology of anti-Semites? Have his Jewish daughter and her family not sensitized him to the fact that to question the loyalty of Jews has been the tool of Jew-haters through the ages? It has prompted some commentators to quote Mussolini and Hitler in the same breath as they cite Trump.

His assertion that Jews who support the Democratic Party are disloyal has shaken American Jewry, indeed Jews everywhere. Virtually all Jewish organizations in the United States [except the Zionist Organization of America and the Republican Jewish Coalition] have reacted against it forcefully asserting that, though most American Jews may vote Democrat [75-80%], all are loyal citizens of the United States. Trump’s effort at “clarification” that he meant that they were disloyal to the Jewish people and the State of Israel hasn’t helped.

The fact that Prime Minister Netanyahu has so far remained silent on the subject hasn’t gone unnoticed. His supporters may say that his silence is in the interest of Israel, but others may suggest that at present Netanyahu is more interested in getting re-elected than serving the interests of his country. They may point to his past alliances with anti-Semitic political leaders in … Hungary and Poland that appalled the Jews there. But while the views of the relatively few Jews in these countries may not matter, to upset American Jewry is to jeopardize the very existence of Israel.

Other Israeli leaders, notably President Rivlin, seem to be aware of the potential harm the Trump-Netanyahu love-in may be doing to their country and have taken steps to try to remedy the situation. Their hope may be that Netanyahu won’t be re-elected this month and Trump won’t be re-elected next year. In this way, things would return to the normal give-and take.

But one of them may get in again and Israel will suffer. If Israel will have a centrist government after next month’s elections without “my friend Bibi”, Trump’s anti-Semitism is likely to be even more overt. If Netanyahu stays in power, but the next US Administration will be Democrat, Israel may be punished, albeit more subtly, for its current sickening admiration of Trump.”

 

Highly recommended newsletter – Rabbi Eric Yoffie

19 Monday Aug 2019

Posted by rabbijohnrosove in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Israel and Palestine, Israel/Zionism, Jewish Identity

≈ Leave a comment

Rabbi Eric Yoffie, a regular columnist for the Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz and President Emeritus of the Union for Reform Judaism, sends his articles to those who subscribe to his list before they are published in Haaretz.

Rabbi Yoffie is among the most astute commentators on Israeli politics and affairs and Israel’s relationship to America and the American Jewish community. I read every issue carefully because of his clear thinking and carefully researched writing.

You can sign up for his newsletter by going to ericyoffie.com. On the right side of the homepage is a box marked “Subscribe to our mailing list,” with simple instructions.

A disclaimer – Eric is a friend. He did not ask me to promote his newsletter. It was my decision to do so.

Do yourself a favor and subscribe.

A few moments in a Delaware supermarket check-out line

18 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by rabbijohnrosove in American Politics and Life, Ethics, Health and Well-Being, Social Justice, Women's Rights

≈ 3 Comments

My wife and I just spent a week with friends in Millsboro, Delaware, a lovely small town 15 minutes by car from the Rohovoth shore.

One morning our host went to the store to buy bagels and the daily Washington Post. While standing in the check-out line he struck up a friendly conversation with a middle aged woman standing behind him. After a few moments she said, “You are a very nice man!”

Everything changed, however, when, reading the paper’s headlines, he said, “We’re in a real mess – aren’t we?”

She asked, “What do you mean?”

Pointing to the paper, he said: “Trump’s erratic handling of the economy, his racism, white supremacy, and misogyny are changing the country for the worse.”

“You are a very bad man,” she barked.

Stunned, he said, “But you just told me I am nice.”

“You aren’t.”

My friend’s interchange with his neighbor is a reflection of the sorry state of civility and ethics in our nation. One moment he was a “nice man” shooting the breeze with a stranger in a supermarket check-out line, and the next he was the despised and demonized “other.”

One pillar of evil is when we become an extension of ideas and not individual human beings embodying the complexity of thoughts, feelings, backgrounds, interests, and values that we all share.

The President’s base relishes its hatred of the other at his political rallies as Trump stokes their hatred of his opponents and gives succor to the crowd’s lower angels. But we Democrats demonize Trump supporters as the despised “other” as well.

We all need to check ourselves and keep from falling into this dehumanizing trap not only for our own sake but for the sake of the soul of our nation.

 

“The elephant has left the building” – The Promised Podcast and HR 326

11 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by rabbijohnrosove in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Ethics, Human rights, Israel and Palestine, Israel/Zionism, Jewish History, Social Justice

≈ Leave a comment

The Promised – a podcast recorded in Tel Aviv by 3 thoughtful left-of-center Israelis – did a search of over 7000 on-line Israeli election ads and found almost no mention of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict by any political party platform except one. These commentators suggest that the occupation may be more of an issue in the 2020 American elections than the Israeli election should the American far left-wing Jewish organization Ifnotnow succeed in making it so.

For my complete statement, see my blog at the Times of Israel – https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-elephant-has-left-the-building-the-promised-podcast-and-hr-326/

Analysis || Another Radical-right Netanyahu Government Would Decimate Israel’s Ties With American Jews – Haaretz – Chemi Shalev | 08.08.2019

08 Thursday Aug 2019

Posted by rabbijohnrosove in American Jewish Life, American Politics and Life, Ethics, Israel/Zionism, Jewish History, Jewish Identity, Social Justice, Women's Rights

≈ 1 Comment

Note: The following article by the leading Haaretz journalist, Chemi Shalev, is not available unless you subscribe to Haaretz. I am reprinting it here because what Shalev says is spot-on about both the Israeli election on September 17 and the future relationship between Israel and the liberal American Jewish community.

“A shift of a few points in the polls would set up Netanyahu’s ultimate deal with the devil: Immunity in exchange for destructive government zealotry

Unlike the “first past the post” method used in the United States, Britain and most other democracies, Israel’s proportional election system often fails to yield a clear-cut winner. Victory depends not only on voter preferences but also on post-election maneuvering by the leaders of the various parties. It is achieved only if and when the candidate appointed by the president succeeds in cobbling together a coalition that provides an incoming government with a majority in the Knesset.

Avigdor Lieberman’s defection from Netanyahu’s natural bloc — which includes his Likud, parties to its right and religious parties — sabotaged the prime minister’s efforts to set up a right-wing government after the April 9 election. Rather than adhere to established constitutional norms, which would have entailed handing over the mantle to another candidate, Netanyahu coerced the Knesset to disperse itself and to set a new election for September 17.

The success or failure of Netanyahu’s gambit depends on whether the new ballot will yield more favorable results: A shift of four to five Knesset seats one way or another could make all the difference. The permutations are numerous, but they boil down to one simple question: Will Netanyahu’s bloc garner more than 61 seats, allowing him to bypass Lieberman and snub his potential partners to the left?

If it doesn’t — and on the unfounded assumption that Lieberman will stick to his guns and refuse to endorse such a government — Netanyahu will, at best, be forced into a broad-based coalition with Kahol Lavan or Labor from the left, or, at worst, be tossed aside to end his political career in deflating defeat. In both scenarios Netanyahu would most likely face criminal indictments within a short few months.

If Netanyahu and his allies do cross the 60-seat threshold, however — or if Lieberman decides to rejoin his natural habitat for a steep price, as many suspect he will — Netanyahu will score his greatest triumph. The stage will be set for his ultimate deal with the devil. His new coalition is likely to grant him immunity from prosecution, but that would be the least of its havoc.

Netanyahu, to paraphrase John F. Kennedy, would be willing to pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, curtail any right, defy any convention, dismantle any democratic institution and annex any disputed territory in order to assure the survival and success of liberty — as long as it’s his own.

Netanyahu’s potential aiders and abettors on the religious right know that his back is against the wall. They can feel his fear and smell his desperation. They will recognize the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that voters dumped in their laps and will demand an exorbitant ransom for setting Netanyahu free. If you thought Netanyahu’s previous four years in office placed Israel on a slippery slope toward an authoritarian, ethnocentric theocracy, prepare yourself: You ain’t seen nothing yet.

Granting Netanyahu retroactive immunity from prosecution would not only distort democracy and violate the rule of law — it would open the floodgates for a deluge of disastrous decisions, policies and laws that would change Israel forever. Stricter Orthodox hegemony, restrictions on free expression and dissent, subjugation of the legal system and civil service as well as an all-out push for annexation of the West Bank would top the agenda. But given that with food comes an appetite, other yet-unknown evils would soon join them.

Such a nightmarish scenario would crush Israel’s shrinking liberal Jewish minority, further alienate its minorities, escalate international condemnation and invigorate the boycott movement. And while Netanyahu might be able to maintain Israel’s strategic relationship with the United States, and even enhance it further if Donald Trump is reelected, a narrow right-wing government could very well deliver a final coup de grâce to the troubled relationship between Israel and the majority of American Jews.

The ties that bind the two largest Jewish communities in the world are already frayed, almost beyond repair. Inherent and unavoidable tensions with the largely liberal American Jewish community over issues such as peace and pluralism were exacerbated over the past four years in the wake of Netanyahu’s defiant confrontation with Barack Obama and his amorous cohabitation with Trump. In between, Netanyahu’s obedient ministers and slavish parliamentarians supplied a steady stream of provocative statements and policy decisions that poured even more fuel on a fire that was already threatening to rage out of control.

Four more years with an invigorated clerical-right Netanyahu government would turn the blazes into an all-consuming inferno. Netanyahu, who feels indebted to and dependent on Trump’s goodwill, would do his best to ensure that his good friend in the White House is reelected, tradition of non-intervention in internal U.S. affairs be damned. Given the fever pitch of their current antipathy toward the U.S. president, this would be reason enough for many American Jews to distance themselves permanently from the Jewish state.

The anticipated spate of archconservative and ultra-nationalistic policies and actions of such a government would alienate the rest. A Netanyahu government beholden to Ayelet Shaked’s Hayamin Hehadash party would strive to annex the West Bank, piecemeal or in one fell swoop; kill any lingering hopes for a two-state solution; and institute a regime that anyone but its apologists will view as apartheid. Ultra-Orthodox parties would curtail LGBTQ rights, try to reverse women’s equality and squash any hope for recognition of Reform and Conservative Jewry. And Netanyahu’s own Likud zealots would gut the judicial system, politicize its civil service, clamp down on dissenting media and try to put Israeli Arabs back in their rightful place as a barely tolerated minority of individuals who should be grateful for what they’re given.

This will be all too much to bear for the roughly three-quarters of American Jews who voted against Trump and for Democrats in both the 2016 and 2018 elections — especially if Trump himself is reelected, and doubly so if Netanyahu is seen to help. Abandoning hope that Israel will come to its senses, liberal American Jews will identify Netanyahu’s Israel with what they view as the utter viciousness and vileness of Trump and his administration. Given the escalating political polarization in the United States, the contamination could prove incurable.

It would certainly thwart the efforts and initiatives of well-meaning institutions such as the Diaspora Museum, the Jewish Agency, the Ruderman Foundation and others, which have been spurred into action in recent years by the specter of deteriorating ties between Israel and American Jews. The fledgling dams that these do-gooders are trying to construct with platforms for open dialogue and greater understanding would most likely be swept away by the expected tsunami of arrogant and retrograde moves emanating from Netanyahu’s government and its unabashed Jewish-supremacist worldview.

The flip side, of course, is that any result on September 17 other than a clear-cut right-wing majority for Netanyahu would be a godsend for future ties between the two communities, a last-minute reprieve that would allow them to step back from the abyss. Even if Netanyahu remains in power, albeit at the head of a broad-based government, his policies would necessarily moderate and create less friction and tensions with American Jewry. Such a government would necessarily include politicians who have a more favorable view of Israel’s relationship with American Jews and a greater sense of urgency to fix them.

The current prognosis of most pollsters and forecasters is that this is the most likely outcome of the September 17 ballot. But it doesn’t take much for it to change in Netanyahu’s favor. If Labor under Amir Peretz dips below the electoral threshold or if Arabs and disaffected leftists turn out in the same lowly numbers as they did on April 9, Netanyahu could easily scale the 61-seat barrier that stands between him and his dreams.

In his moment of undeniable triumph, as he brandishes his get-out-of-jail-free card, takes aim at his tormentors and critics and allows his coalition partners to carry out their coup d’état against Israel’s liberal democracy, American Jews will be the least of his concerns. A once-cherished alliance based on affection, kinship and mutual dependence would soon be thrown into the dustbin of history.

 

 

What will the new Knesset look like?

07 Wednesday Aug 2019

Posted by rabbijohnrosove in Israel/Zionism, Jewish History, Jewish Identity, Social Justice, Women's Rights

≈ Leave a comment

This is an article for die-hard Israel watchers and for anyone wanting to make sense of the demographics of the next Israeli Knesset.

Though the Israeli election (September 17) is 6 weeks away and anything can happen between now and then, this piece in The Times of Israel (August 6) offers a guesstimate into what the next Knesset will be.

“Now that the candidate lists for the September elections are closed, we can sketch the profile of Israel’s new team of parliamentarians 

The election campaign has reached an important milestone. After long weeks of mergers, alliances and splits, the candidate lists have been finalized. Now that the dust has settled and the picture is clear, we know what lists will be competing and who is running on them. This allows us to sketch a picture of the new Knesset. Who will be our 120 representatives? Will the number of women MKs continue to backslide? Will the low level of Arab representation improve as a result of the Arab parties’ decision to once again run on a united list?”

https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/what-will-the-new-knesset-look-like/

George Orwell on political speech

05 Monday Aug 2019

Posted by rabbijohnrosove in American Politics and Life, Ethics, Quote of the Day, Social Justice

≈ Leave a comment

Since the tragic two mass murders in the United States this past week, both apparently provoked by white nationalist extremism, I’m reminded of the words of George Orwell:

“…one ought to recognize that the present political chaos is connected with the decay of language, and that one can probably bring about some improvement by starting at the verbal end. …Political language…is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind….” (Politics and the English Language – 1946)

 

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 347 other subscribers

Archive

  • February 2023 (1)
  • January 2023 (8)
  • December 2022 (10)
  • November 2022 (5)
  • October 2022 (5)
  • September 2022 (10)
  • August 2022 (8)
  • July 2022 (9)
  • June 2022 (5)
  • May 2022 (6)
  • April 2022 (8)
  • March 2022 (11)
  • February 2022 (3)
  • January 2022 (7)
  • December 2021 (6)
  • November 2021 (9)
  • October 2021 (8)
  • September 2021 (6)
  • August 2021 (7)
  • July 2021 (7)
  • June 2021 (6)
  • May 2021 (11)
  • April 2021 (4)
  • March 2021 (9)
  • February 2021 (9)
  • January 2021 (15)
  • December 2020 (5)
  • November 2020 (12)
  • October 2020 (13)
  • September 2020 (17)
  • August 2020 (8)
  • July 2020 (8)
  • June 2020 (8)
  • May 2020 (8)
  • April 2020 (11)
  • March 2020 (13)
  • February 2020 (13)
  • January 2020 (15)
  • December 2019 (11)
  • November 2019 (9)
  • October 2019 (5)
  • September 2019 (10)
  • August 2019 (9)
  • July 2019 (8)
  • June 2019 (12)
  • May 2019 (9)
  • April 2019 (9)
  • March 2019 (16)
  • February 2019 (9)
  • January 2019 (19)
  • December 2018 (19)
  • November 2018 (9)
  • October 2018 (17)
  • September 2018 (12)
  • August 2018 (11)
  • July 2018 (10)
  • June 2018 (16)
  • May 2018 (15)
  • April 2018 (18)
  • March 2018 (8)
  • February 2018 (11)
  • January 2018 (10)
  • December 2017 (6)
  • November 2017 (12)
  • October 2017 (8)
  • September 2017 (17)
  • August 2017 (10)
  • July 2017 (10)
  • June 2017 (12)
  • May 2017 (11)
  • April 2017 (12)
  • March 2017 (10)
  • February 2017 (14)
  • January 2017 (22)
  • December 2016 (13)
  • November 2016 (12)
  • October 2016 (8)
  • September 2016 (6)
  • August 2016 (6)
  • July 2016 (10)
  • June 2016 (10)
  • May 2016 (11)
  • April 2016 (13)
  • March 2016 (10)
  • February 2016 (11)
  • January 2016 (9)
  • December 2015 (10)
  • November 2015 (12)
  • October 2015 (8)
  • September 2015 (7)
  • August 2015 (10)
  • July 2015 (7)
  • June 2015 (8)
  • May 2015 (10)
  • April 2015 (9)
  • March 2015 (12)
  • February 2015 (10)
  • January 2015 (12)
  • December 2014 (7)
  • November 2014 (13)
  • October 2014 (9)
  • September 2014 (8)
  • August 2014 (11)
  • July 2014 (10)
  • June 2014 (13)
  • May 2014 (9)
  • April 2014 (17)
  • March 2014 (9)
  • February 2014 (12)
  • January 2014 (15)
  • December 2013 (13)
  • November 2013 (16)
  • October 2013 (7)
  • September 2013 (8)
  • August 2013 (12)
  • July 2013 (8)
  • June 2013 (11)
  • May 2013 (11)
  • April 2013 (12)
  • March 2013 (11)
  • February 2013 (6)
  • January 2013 (9)
  • December 2012 (12)
  • November 2012 (11)
  • October 2012 (6)
  • September 2012 (11)
  • August 2012 (8)
  • July 2012 (11)
  • June 2012 (10)
  • May 2012 (11)
  • April 2012 (13)
  • March 2012 (10)
  • February 2012 (9)
  • January 2012 (14)
  • December 2011 (16)
  • November 2011 (23)
  • October 2011 (21)
  • September 2011 (19)
  • August 2011 (31)
  • July 2011 (8)

Categories

  • American Jewish Life (458)
  • American Politics and Life (417)
  • Art (30)
  • Beauty in Nature (24)
  • Book Recommendations (52)
  • Divrei Torah (159)
  • Ethics (490)
  • Film Reviews (6)
  • Health and Well-Being (156)
  • Holidays (136)
  • Human rights (57)
  • Inuyim – Prayer reflections and ruminations (95)
  • Israel and Palestine (358)
  • Israel/Zionism (502)
  • Jewish History (441)
  • Jewish Identity (372)
  • Jewish-Christian Relations (51)
  • Jewish-Islamic Relations (57)
  • Life Cycle (53)
  • Musings about God/Faith/Religious life (190)
  • Poetry (86)
  • Quote of the Day (101)
  • Social Justice (355)
  • Stories (74)
  • Tributes (30)
  • Uncategorized (613)
  • Women's Rights (152)

Blogroll

  • Americans for Peace Now
  • Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA)
  • Congregation Darchei Noam
  • Haaretz
  • J Street
  • Jerusalem Post
  • Jerusalem Report
  • Kehillat Mevesseret Zion
  • Temple Israel of Hollywood
  • The IRAC
  • The Jewish Daily Forward
  • The LA Jewish Journal
  • The RAC
  • URJ
  • World Union for Progressive Judaism

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Rabbi John Rosove's Blog
    • Join 347 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Rabbi John Rosove's Blog
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar