A Response to Rabbinical Petitions
In 1968, the KGB became more involved in their campaign to demean 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 were always 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 (Jacob Neusner) and Noam Chomsky (red flag) signed a petition criticizing Israel’s settlement policy in the disputed areas. Five years later, my father 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.
1. Why do you sign a petition that has members of Jewish Voice for Peace?
2. 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 provided to the people of West Berlin which was 2.1 million tons.
3. Why do you “condone the mass killings of people” when experts like Professor John Stephens 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 noted experts, the ratio is closer 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 a people if we would start believing the opponents trying to murder us?
4. Why did you even become rabbis? Was it to share your passion or to bash Israel?
5. 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?
6. I know that none of you ever served. Explain to me how any rabbi can justifiably criticize a military campaign when none of you have the expertise nor experience.
7. 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 my email then I want to conclude with the following thought. Other Jewish veterans including yours truly have read your petitions. You not only anger us but you have lost our respect as rabbis.
