Rabbi Brant Rosen's Courageous Blog

by **Stephanie** Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:55 pm

http://rabbibrant.com/2008/12/28/outrage-in-gaza-no-more-apologies/

The news today out of Israel and Gaza makes me just sick to my stomach.

I know, I can already hear the responses: every nation has a responsibility to ensure the safety of its citizens. If the Qassams stopped, Israel wouldn’t be forced to take military action. Hamas also bears responsibility for this tragic situation…

I could answer each and every one of these claims in turn, but I’m ready to stop this perverse game of rhetorical ping-pong. I don’t buy the rationalizations any more. I’m so tired of the apologetics. How on earth will squeezing the life out of Gaza, not to mention bombing the living hell out of it, ensure the safety of Israeli citizens?

We good liberal Jews are ready to protest oppression and human-rights abuse anywhere in the world, but are all too willing to give Israel a pass. It’s a fascinating double-standard, and one I understand all too well. I understand it because I’ve been just as responsible as anyone else for perpetrating it.

So no more rationalizations. What Israel has been doing to the people of Gaza is an outrage. It has has brought neither safety nor security to the people of Israel and it has wrought nothing but misery and tragedy upon the people of Gaza.

There, I’ve said it. Now what do I do?

by **SheikBen** Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:23 am

We have friends there at that synagogue. Interesting group of folks.

I should like to know more about Egypt's role.

by shermangeneral Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:56 am

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1231424929369&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Here is an interesting point by an Egyptian official...

by Keli Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:08 am

Stephanie wrote:http://rabbibrant.com/2008/12/28/outrage-in-gaza-no-more-apologies/

The news today out of Israel and Gaza makes me just sick to my stomach.

I know, I can already hear the responses: every nation has a responsibility to ensure the safety of its citizens. If the Qassams stopped, Israel wouldn’t be forced to take military action. Hamas also bears responsibility for this tragic situation…

I could answer each and every one of these claims in turn, but I’m ready to stop this perverse game of rhetorical ping-pong. I don’t buy the rationalizations any more. I’m so tired of the apologetics. How on earth will squeezing the life out of Gaza, not to mention bombing the living hell out of it, ensure the safety of Israeli citizens?

We good liberal Jews are ready to protest oppression and human-rights abuse anywhere in the world, but are all too willing to give Israel a pass. It’s a fascinating double-standard, and one I understand all too well. I understand it because I’ve been just as responsible as anyone else for perpetrating it.

So no more rationalizations. What Israel has been doing to the people of Gaza is an outrage. It has has brought neither safety nor security to the people of Israel and it has wrought nothing but misery and tragedy upon the people of Gaza.

There, I’ve said it. Now what do I do?

What's your point? Even Jesus had a Judas...he was Jewish, as well. There are self-loathing Jews--just as there self-loathing Americans.

by **Stephanie** Mon Jan 12, 2009 1:04 pm

So any Jew who dares to speak out against Israeli human rights violations is a self-hating Jew? I'll be sure to let the many Jews and Jewish organizations protesting these atrocities I have contact with aware of your position, Keli.

by **Stephanie** Mon Jan 12, 2009 1:08 pm

Sherm,

If the government of Egypt were at all worried about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza they have the ability to make deliveries across the border they share. They have chosen not to do so. Why should the Palestinians trust the Egyptians? The leaders of the world, Muslim, Christian, & secular, Arab, Western, & Eastern, have turned their back on them, in a fashion even worse than the way they turned their backs on the people of Rwanda.

by Aaron Mon Jan 12, 2009 1:09 pm

I have a hard time believing Jesus would condone the actions of Israel.

As for his Judas, there are those who believe he only did what Jesus wanted him to do and has spent the past 2000 years misunderstood.

Open minded read here

by **SheikBen** Mon Jan 12, 2009 3:55 pm

One thing I certainly will say is that Rosen's blog, as far as Evanston goes (where he works), and the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in particular (abbreviated the JRC), Rosen's comments reflect the majority, if not the overwhelming majority. His post is therefore not particularly courageous as I see it.

I do think we do well to stop short of calling criticism of Israel anti-Semitic. At the same time, I should like to see a little "give" on both sides of this.

by **Stephanie** Mon Jan 12, 2009 4:20 pm

Mike,

It's wonderful to hear the perspective of someone familiar with that congregation and his local community. However, I think it's fair to say that isn't the majority opinion of Jews in this country or the world. Still, their numbers are growing and that's good news.

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