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February 1, 2002
Widen discussion, say critics
Dissention over Israel not appropriate during intifada, others
reply.
PAT JOHNSON REPORTER
Some leaders in the Jewish community are speaking out against what
they say is a homogenizing of political expression in the city.
They are coming forward with dissenting voices about Israel and
challenging the suggestion that there should be one Diaspora opinion
about the Middle East situation.
Most critics say they do not feel an explicit chill on speaking
out, but one senior community official spoke to the Bulletin
only on condition of anonymity.
In the face of a concerted community effort to sway public opinion
and support in favor of Israel, a number of people are urging a
broader discussion.
Joseph Kahn Tietz, executive director of the Jewish Family Service
Agency, said he often is in the minority during political debates
and it's not just about Israel's treatment of Palestinians.
"There are issues in Israeli society, like any society, which
are of concern, including women's rights, children's rights, protection
of the environment," said Kahn Tietz. He challenges Diaspora
Jews who generously send money to Israel to understand where their
money is going.
He said an unquestioning commitment to Israel in the Vancouver Jewish
community has made him feel, at times, like an outsider for critically
questioning Israeli policy on a number of issues. As an example,
he cites the community rallies that have been organized since the
current intifada began, events which he claims do not present a
balanced message.
"I end up going with my kids because I support Israel and I
want to be part of the community, but I feel out of sorts,"
he said.
While Israelis have begun to view their country warts and all, Kahn
Tietz said, Diaspora Jews have not been willing to do so and that
is particularly evident in Vancouver, he said.
"People don't want to challenge the dream. This generation
of post-Holocaust Jews grew up with Israel as the Promised Land,
the ideal society, the kibbutz. We bought it. It gave us hope, identity,
pride."
But while life in Israel has presented a more varied and realistic
understanding among Israelis, Jews in the Diaspora remain tight-lipped
about things that are openly discussed in Israel, he said.
Rafi Silver, assistant executive director of the Jewish Community
Centre of Greater Vancouver, said he has been struck by how unwilling
some Jews in the Diaspora are to listen to critical voices. Silver
came here six months ago after spending 30 years in Israel, during
which time he served in the army, worked on a kibbutz and practised
as a social worker.
He is critical of the limitations placed on non-Orthodox Israelis.
"As a Jew, Israel is one of the only countries in the world
[in which] I cannot be married, buried, divorced or converted by
a rabbi of my choice, unless he is Orthodox," said Silver.
"There is no religious pluralism in Israel. It doesn't exist."
Silver said he is confused by the actions of North American Jews.
"What was difficult for me to understand was, most of the Jews
who give money - lots of money - to the Israeli establishment are
Reform and Conservative. Either they are not aware or they are afraid
to question. I don't know what the reason is."
There is a tendency, he said, to call into question the integrity
and commitment of anyone who does not subscribe to a standard pro-Israel
line.
"I love Israel dearly. I spent most of my life in Israel. I
miss Israel," said
Silver. "But I also question it and I think I question it because
I love it so much."
He added that, if people feel their views are being dismissed, they
will simply withdraw from the Jewish community.
Carl Rosenberg, a local activist and writer, agreed and said he
has felt that dismissiveness.
"The main assumption is that, if you regard yourself as a Jew,
however you define it - religious, secular, cultural - you must
be essentially a Zionist, and not only a Zionist, but a mainstream
Zionist, i.e., you must uphold the mainstream Zionist account of
the conflict, and identify with and support the state of Israel,
and not entertain any serious criticism of it."
Another community leader echoed the view that suppressing discussion
has had negative impacts on the community.
"When there is a more balanced approach to Israel, there are
more points of entry to feel part of the community," said the
person, adding that rhetoric about inclusion and accessibility to
all members of the community must extend to personal viewpoints.
"Can you still be loyal to Israel and criticize Israel? Being
loyal to Israel and still being able to criticize Israel is a view
which probably exists in the community but people may be afraid
to voice it."
Israel's right to exist is sacrosanct, said the person, and the
discussion, therefore, goes into the complexities that arise after
that precondition is a given.
In addition to the Palestinian question, the official said, there
should be more attention given to the disparity between rich and
poor Israelis, between Ashkenazim and Sephardim and to the kind
of country Israel should strive to be.
On the local front, Jews should be more willing to listen to each
other, said the official.
"People should understand that there are people that are passionate
about Israel, that have spent much time in Israel, that love the
country and that are intimately connected with [Israel] who happen
to have views that are a little different from what the mainstream
community presents."
The perceived stifling of open communication is what concerns Rabbi
David Mivasair, spiritual leader of Or Shalom Synagogue.
"It's very important for us to be involved with Israel, absolutely,"
said Mivasair. "But don't have illusions about how much impact
we might have, or even how much impact Canada has. But how we approach
that and conduct our conversation among ourselves really impacts
us here and that's something that we all share in common and we
can all be more responsible about."
He said that people should avoid accusing others of disloyalty,
delegitimizing other people's views and attacking others personally.
"That actually affects us much more than what some future Israeli
government and some Palestinian negotiator are going to come to
an agreement on," Mivasair said.
Nisson Goldman, chair of Canadian Jewish Congress, Pacific Region,
said passions run high on these issues and he concurs that all parties
should attempt to remain respectful.
However, as a national Jewish body, CJC must represent what it sees
as a relative consensus, said Goldman.
"You can never speak for everybody, but you can speak for what
you view to be the largest possible majority," he said.
The problem with criticizing Israel at a time like this, he said,
is that the Jewish state is under attack and that puts everyday
decisions in a different light.
"There's nobody who can second-guess somebody who's under fire,"
he said. "Difficult, life-threatening decisions are made every
day."
Rabbi Ross Singer of Shaarey Tefilah said differences of opinion
on Israeli political matters should not be "litmus tests"
for support of Israel. Local organizations in support of Israel
should not exclude anyone - on the left or the right - Singer said,
because they hold divergent views on such issues as settlements
in the occupied territories.
Everyone should be welcomed under the tent of support for Israel,
with two exceptions. Singer said people must acknowledge the sacred
connection of the Jewish people to the land of Israel and anybody
who shows a lack of respect for human life and dignity should not
be welcomed. Beyond that, people should be free to speak their minds
without being branded disloyal.
He held one caveat, though, saying dissenters in the Diaspora should
consider what effect their comments might have on Israelis.
"Only after a careful consideration of that should dissent
be voiced, especially if it is expressed to the larger community,"
said the rabbi. "We don't have to live with the consequences
of our suggestions of what Israel should do. Therefore, I personally
am quite reticent to criticize Israeli policy."
Naomi Frankenburg, co-chair of the Local Israel Action Committee,
said people in the Diaspora are free to criticize policies such
as the law of conversion, but she believes the timing is not right.
"To criticize Israel when Jewish people are being killed by
suicide bombers on an almost daily basis is, I think, inappropriate,"
she said.
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