The public conversation has shifted and our call for open discourse regarding Israeli policy has finally been acknowledged by those in leadership. I appreciate the resolve shown by each of the 178 signatories who challenged the status quo. We must remain vigilant to ensure that critical debate continues to be …
JEWS FOR JIMMY
We the undersigned Jews reject the attempt to dismiss Jimmy Carter\'s critique of Israeli policy toward Palestinians as anti-Semitic. The tendency by a section of the organized Jewish community to respond to criticisms of Israeli policy by attacking and attempting to discredit the people raising those criticisms--Jews are labeled as \"self-hating\" and non-Jews as \"anti-Semitic\"--is not only morally reprehensible, but also self-destructive. Too many Jews walk away from the organized Jewish community precisely because it treats dissent with this kind of disrespect. And too many non-Jews of good will, people who would otherwise be supportive of our safety and who would fight against anti-Semitism, may become genuinely angry at the Jewish people if Jews continue to place criticism of Israeli policies toward Palestinians outside the realm of permissible discourse. The suppression of debate and the blanket rejection of any vigorous criticism of Israeli policies must stop. The message that the Jewish community gives to elected officials that they will be labeled \"anti-Israel\" if they have criticisms of the Occupation of the West Bank or of Israeli human rights violations, must stop. Unless it stops, true anti-Semitism cannot be fought effectively, because the larger community will be so used to Jews throwing the term around to include many who consider themselves pro-Jewish and pro-Israel that they will find it hard to take those charges seriously when they are actually true.
President Jimmy Carter, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for helping Israel and Egypt negotiate a lasting peace, is a perfect example of a non-Jew who has no hatred of the Jewish people, but does have strong and legitimate criticisms of Israeli policy. Debating the content of his critique is expected and encouraged; attacking him as an anti-Semite, like all similar attempts to demean and undermine the legitimacy of others with strong criticisms of Israeli policies, must stop. We acknowledge the tireless efforts of President Jimmy Carter to create a just and lasting peace in the Middle East and do not subscribe to the notion that his book Palestine: Peace or Apartheid constitutes a deviation from his undying committment to peace. Debate: Good for the Jews. Careless use of the term \"anti-Semite\": not good for the Jews.
PLEASE NOTE THAT AFTER YOU SIGN YOU\'LL BE BROUGHT TO A DONATION SCREEN WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS PETITION BUT IS FOR THE WEBSITE HOSTING THIS PETITION. WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR DONATIONS WITH THIS PETITION, JUST SIGNATURES, SO CLICK \"CONTINUE\" TO BYPASS DONATION SCREEN.
The momentum behind this petition confirms that many within our community are eager to engage in a more honest and open dialogue about these vital issues. This response proves that there is a strong desire to separate substantive policy critique from accusations that serve only to stifle necessary debate.
Reached 100 supporters
February 7, 2007
6 Comments
S
Sarah Marquez
19 years ago
Featured
Thank you for saying this. We need to be able to talk about these policies without being called traitors. It is hurting our community.
L
Leo Espinoza
19 years ago
Featured
Agree 100%. This is the only way to save our integrity.
H
Hannah Hale
19 years ago
Featured
It is exhausting watching people get labeled anti-semitic just for wanting human rights for others. It makes us look bad to the rest of the world.
D
David Anderson
19 years ago
Featured
FINALLY!! Someone is actually saying it. The constant name calling is just a way to shut down any real conversation.
M
Mark Cooper
19 years ago
Featured
I was ostracized from my own synagogue for bringing this up years ago. Glad to see some people are finally waking up.
R
Rachel Jimenez
19 years ago
Featured
Being critical of a government isn't hate. It is basic human decency. We need to stop acting like we represent everyone.
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The public conversation has shifted and our call for open discourse regarding Israeli policy has finally been acknowledged by those in leadership. I appreciate the resolve shown by each of the 178 signatories who challenged the status quo. We must remain vigilant to ensure that critical debate continues to be …
JEWS FOR JIMMY
We the undersigned Jews reject the attempt to dismiss Jimmy Carter\'s critique of Israeli policy toward Palestinians as anti-Semitic. The tendency by a section of the organized Jewish community to respond to criticisms of Israeli policy by attacking and attempting to discredit the people raising those criticisms--Jews are labeled as \"self-hating\" and non-Jews as \"anti-Semitic\"--is not only morally reprehensible, but also self-destructive. Too many Jews walk away from the organized Jewish community precisely because it treats dissent with this kind of disrespect. And too many non-Jews of good will, people who would otherwise be supportive of our safety and who would fight against anti-Semitism, may become genuinely angry at the Jewish people if Jews continue to place criticism of Israeli policies toward Palestinians outside the realm of permissible discourse. The suppression of debate and the blanket rejection of any vigorous criticism of Israeli policies must stop. The message that the Jewish community gives to elected officials that they will be labeled \"anti-Israel\" if they have criticisms of the Occupation of the West Bank or of Israeli human rights violations, must stop. Unless it stops, true anti-Semitism cannot be fought effectively, because the larger community will be so used to Jews throwing the term around to include many who consider themselves pro-Jewish and pro-Israel that they will find it hard to take those charges seriously when they are actually true.
President Jimmy Carter, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for helping Israel and Egypt negotiate a lasting peace, is a perfect example of a non-Jew who has no hatred of the Jewish people, but does have strong and legitimate criticisms of Israeli policy. Debating the content of his critique is expected and encouraged; attacking him as an anti-Semite, like all similar attempts to demean and undermine the legitimacy of others with strong criticisms of Israeli policies, must stop. We acknowledge the tireless efforts of President Jimmy Carter to create a just and lasting peace in the Middle East and do not subscribe to the notion that his book Palestine: Peace or Apartheid constitutes a deviation from his undying committment to peace. Debate: Good for the Jews. Careless use of the term \"anti-Semite\": not good for the Jews.
PLEASE NOTE THAT AFTER YOU SIGN YOU\'LL BE BROUGHT TO A DONATION SCREEN WHICH HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS PETITION BUT IS FOR THE WEBSITE HOSTING THIS PETITION. WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR DONATIONS WITH THIS PETITION, JUST SIGNATURES, SO CLICK \"CONTINUE\" TO BYPASS DONATION SCREEN.
The momentum behind this petition confirms that many within our community are eager to engage in a more honest and open dialogue about these vital issues. This response proves that there is a strong desire to separate substantive policy critique from accusations that serve only to stifle necessary debate.
Reached 100 supporters
February 7, 2007
6 Comments
S
Sarah Marquez
19 years ago
Featured
Thank you for saying this. We need to be able to talk about these policies without being called traitors. It is hurting our community.
L
Leo Espinoza
19 years ago
Featured
Agree 100%. This is the only way to save our integrity.
H
Hannah Hale
19 years ago
Featured
It is exhausting watching people get labeled anti-semitic just for wanting human rights for others. It makes us look bad to the rest of the world.
D
David Anderson
19 years ago
Featured
FINALLY!! Someone is actually saying it. The constant name calling is just a way to shut down any real conversation.
M
Mark Cooper
19 years ago
Featured
I was ostracized from my own synagogue for bringing this up years ago. Glad to see some people are finally waking up.
R
Rachel Jimenez
19 years ago
Featured
Being critical of a government isn't hate. It is basic human decency. We need to stop acting like we represent everyone.
Thank you for saying this. We need to be able to talk about these policies without being called traitors. It is hurting our community.