A critical response to ‘A letter from over a thousands rabbis worldwide….’
Hi Rabbis,
In 1968, the KGB became more involved in their campaign to demonize Israel by changing the narrative. No longer was Israel fighting Arab countries. Instead, Israel is the thug that is oppressing the Palestinian people. One of the tricks to manipulate the situation was by altering section 24 of the 1964 Palestinian charter by claiming that Judea and Samaria (West Bank) and Gaza always belonged to the Palestinians. How the Western Wall can suddenly belong to someone else is beyond me. Yet, this KGB concoction spread. Fast forward 10 years, when 40 Jewish academics including my dad (Professor Jacob Neusner) and Noam Chomsky (red flag) signed a petition criticizing Israel’s settlement policy in the disputed areas. Five years later, my father publicly apologized for signing this petition. But the damage had been done because this petition was one of the major reasons that lead to our community’s unhealthy schism regarding Israeli policy.
I read the petition that you signed and have the following questions.
- Why do you sign a petition that has members from Jewish Voice for Peace?
- Why do you attack Israel “for use of starvation”? Are you aware that Israel has already provided 1.86 million tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza? That number nearly matches the amount of 2.1 million tons provided to the people of West Berlin during the Berlin airlift.
- Why do you “condone the mass killings of people” when experts like Professor John Stephens from West Point and Elihu Richter (noted epidemiologist) have concluded otherwise. In a typical asymmetrical urban setting, the typical ratio of civilians to combatant deaths is 9.5:1 (Pentagon figures). In this war, based on the studies by the noted experts, the ratio is closer to 1:1. The lowest ratio of any war fought in this environment. Why are you quoting our enemy? Are you aware that we do not exist as people if we start believing our enemy?
- Why did you even become rabbis? Was it to share your passion or to bash Israel?
- What is your biggest thrill as a rabbi? Is it when a congregant praises your work? Says thanks for your pastoral services? Or is it when you criticize Israel?
- I know that none of you have ever served. Explain to me how any rabbi can justifiably criticize a military campaign when none of you have the expertise nor experience.
- Are you aware that this petition has now become a weapon used by our enemies to continue its mission to demonize Israel?
Henceforth, I am asking that you sign petitions that unite and motivate the community, such as the creation of the State of Israel or the rescue of Soviet Jews. If you disagree with me then I want to conclude with the following thought. Several Jewish veterans including yours truly have read your petitions. You not only anger us, but you have lost our respect as rabbis.
Sam Neusner
