BS"D
CAJL Conference of Authentic Jewish Leadership
CC Calling Campaign
Kislev 5768, November 19, 2007
letter from Buddy Macy, vegibud@gmail.com
Dear Fellow Activists,
Below is an excellent email written to Howard Rieger, and, separately, to Malcolm Hoenlein, by one of our peers in Baltimore. I encourage you to follow Monica Caplan's wonderful example and either call Howard Rieger at UJC (212-284-6500, ext. 6600, Secretary, Pat) and Malcolm Hoenlein at the Conference of Presidents (212-318-6111, Secretary, Lauren), or write a very brief email to Howard Rieger ( howard.rieger@ujc.org) and Malcolm Hoenlein (malcolm@conferenceofpresidents.org), asking them how they can remain silent while Israel sinks into the abyss. And, tell them that they must help prevent the summit in Annapolis from taking place. Feel free to let me know if you speak with either or both men, or Bcc: me to the email, so I may track how much mail they are receiving. Thanks so much. Buddy
Dear Mr. Rieger:
Please do me the courtesy of reading this e-mail.
The modern State of Israel was created as a "safe harbor" for the world's Jews—a place for Jews to live in safety so that "never again" would millions of Jews be in danger of imminent slaughter.
Yet five million Jews living there today are surrounded by enemies who are methodically preparing to get rid of them—whether by chipping away at the tiny amount of land that is Israel until it is indefensible, or by wearing down its leaders and citizens through continuous attacks. These enemies are being encouraged and strengthened by the sympathy, money, arms, and legitimacy provided them by "concerned" world nations and by naïve and/or weak Israeli leaders.
NEVER AGAIN??? In the 1930's, most Jewish leaders and major American Jewish organizations refused to admit the reality of the grave situation facing European Jews; it was apparently easier, "safer," and more comfortable to do so. PLEASE DON'T REPEAT THEIR MISTAKE. HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO THE RIGHT THING THIS TIME.
I do not understand why your organization isn't screaming out in support of preserving the State of Israel as an intact Jewish state.
I understand that many Americans don't want to "undermine" the government of Israel by speaking out against any of its decisions or policies. This is an understandable, but misguided, notion.
The leaders of the State of Israel are human beings—and they make human errors. What they have done in the past few years have proven to be errors. Those who love and support Eretz Yisroel have a moral duty to speak up in the light of that.
Because of the leaders' decisions…
- Thousands of productive Jewish citizens, previously encouraged by the Israeli government to settle there, were thrown out of their homes in Samaria and Gaza so that those areas could be turned over to Arabs. Many thousands of those Israelis are still struggling to rebuild their lives—without the promised support of the government. The areas from which they were expelled are now terrorist strongholds.
- Residents of Sderot and the western Negev are suffering constant rocket attacks without proper shelter (as if there could even be "proper shelter"). Israel should be removing those who are terrorizing innocent Israeli men, women, and children, not sitting and doing nothing for fear of "international" condemnation.
It is said that the definition of insanity is to repeat the same behaviors over and over, and expect a different outcome. If so, then Israel's giving up more of anything is pure insanity. Israel's enemies are undoubtedly laughing in glee at Israel's naiveté—they take more land, continue to call for Israel's destruction, and continue to lob rockets across the border…and Israel tries to "be nice" to them. As any child knows, being nice to a bully only makes him bolder.
The chief "Palestinian" negotiator, Mr. Erekat, this week REJECTED Israel's position that it be recognized as a Jewish state. The Arab "street" and leaders think that an Israel of any size (even a square centimeter) is too much of a Jewish state. The idea that Israel can "buy" the acceptance of Arabs by any compromises is pure fantasy.
In the mind of Israel's neighbors, the "problem" isn't Israel's size, actions, "occupation," or treatment of Arabs; it is Israel's EXISTENCE!
Israel is being pressured by misguided (or self-interested) world leaders to give up all of Judea and Samaria—and half of Jerusalem (including the Temple Mount). This reality is frightening (or should be to anyone paying attention): Israel is surrounded by enemies who would like nothing more than her disappearance from the face of the earth. A "Palestinian" Arab state within as few as 10 miles from Jewish population centers (Tel Aviv among them) is sheer stupidity from a security standpoint.
NEVER AGAIN??? Unless Jewish leaders and major American Jewish organizations HAVE THE COURAGE TO DO THE RIGHT THING THIS TIME, "again" will soon be a tragic reality.
Remember the 1930's, gather your courage, and speak up!
Regards,
Monica L. Caplan
Baltimore, MD
