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Michael J. Lewis
Former AIPAC Director of Policy Analysis (1986-2024)

‘As A Jew…’

From Library of Congress (Public Domain) -1979 “The National Chanukah Menorah in Lafayette Park across from the White House, Washington, D.C”

How often does one read opeds and social media posts by Jewish critics of Israel in which the author employs some variant of the phrase “As a Jew” in their critique of some Israeli policy or action (or even questioning Israel right to continue to exist)?

The “As a Jew” is certainly an interesting approach! Obviously everyone is entitled to their view, no matter how much I might disagree with those views. But so often, people who use that phrase to seek to give themselves a certain moral authority for “Daring to speak out and criticizing Israel.” (Certainly it doesn’t take much moral courage these days to speak out against Israel! The far- greater courage lies in defending Israel!) “As a Jew” doesn’t seem to be much-employed by these people when commenting or advocating on taxes or social programs or US foreign policy away from Israel.

I not-infrequently read the views of people who I know are Jewish and I certainly wonder how they could possibly be doing or saying that. But I can’t and wouldn’t speak to their Judaism and how it might impact on their Worldview or their motivations to be anti-Israel. (I have long-avoided using the term”Self-Hating Jew.” I leave that to psychologist and psychiatrists to pronounce on such a matter.)

When I worked at AIPAC  – a phrase I’m still finding strange to use – I was very-probably not one of the more religious Jews. I have, as I’ve noted previously, just concluded an almost 40 year stint working at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC); an organization where Christians and Jews; secular and religious all work together for a common good. (It’s immaterial whether you might agree with what AIPAC advocates and practices). My time and experience obviously gives me a certain perspective and knowledge base (especially about “Haters of Israel.” But I certainly wouldn’t claim it gives me a “Heads Up” advantage in determining whether someone is a “good” Jew.

I fully-acknowledge the possibility (even probability) that some, or many of these Jewish critics of Israel – even some of these anti-Zionists – may be “better Jews” than myself – however “better Jew” may be defined. They may go to synagogue more often that I. They may be more religious than myself. They may keep kosher or send their kids to Jewish School. (On the other hand; I’m probably more pro-Israel!)  (I’ve anyway always taken offense at declarations from either left or right that “This is what a Jew should support or oppose.” Whether it’s regarding liberal or conservatives issues; domestic or foreign.

One might note that there are also Jews – stridently anti-Israel Jews – who to the best of my knowledge; don’t either publicly affirm or deny their Judaism. But nor do they make their Judaism a public part of why they’re anti-Israel or seek to give themselves greater legitimacy by promoting themselves as “As a Jew” Jews.  I disagree with them. I’m puzzled (and often disgusted) by them. But at least they are not trying to promote their arguments by pushing themselves as having Jewish “legitimacy.”

I too am a Jew. I could just as easily write articles saying “As a Jew” and then go to give legitimacy to my argument by cloaking myself in my Jewish identity rather than in the arguments I make – or least the knowledge I have on certain matters.

In a future oped, I hope to return to the subject of “Jews against Zion” – a group I find fascinating, puzzling and disturbing. (I’d also like to return to the argument which first came to my attention in a 1977 Foreign Affairs article by former senior State Department, George Ball (very much not a friend) entitled “How to Save Israel in Spite of Herself.)

In conclusion let me just state for the record that – “As a Jew” I am deeply offended by people using that phrase to give themselves a hechsher to attack Israel.

Chag Sameach/Happy Sukkot/ Happy Feast of Tabernacles

About the Author
Originally from London, England; Michael Lewis spent a few years in Israel including 2 years on Kibbutz Kfar Blum where he met his future wife. before coming to the United States in the late 1970s: First studying at Rutgers and Princeton. And then for the past 40 years in Washington DC: A year at the just-founded Washington Institute. From1986, till very-recently at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as Director of Policy Analysis. Michael also devotes inordinate attention to posting about the English lower-tier football (soccer)club Queens Park Rangers (QPR)
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