Filed under: America, Barack Obama, Diaspora Jewry, Foreign Policy, Israel, Shabbat Shalom
Really interesting article In The American Prospect, re: The American Jewish Right.
“There has been a reluctance among American Jews, even progressive ones, to confront the ways in which our narrative of overcoming oppression has contributed to a culture in which we fail to grapple with our own privilege, with the moral implications of Israeli occupation, and with the suffering of Palestinians.
Why is that failure significant? Because in our political context, we need a great many committed, strong Jewish voices calling for a change in the United States’ Mideast policy. American Jews led the way, and rightfully so, in garnering American support for a Jewish homeland. Now we should be leading the way toward becoming, as the president has phrased it, the kind of honest, tough-minded friend Israel really needs at this crucial political moment. One step is calling out — and engaging with — the bigots and hard-liners within our own community.”
I feel that very much of what I responded to last night was this attitude. It is so potent. The video, prompting this article (which, because I am at work, I have not had a chance to watch with sound, yet) shows young American Jews – my generation – bad mouthing Obama. As Joseph Dana puts it:
“The answers in this video reflect the education and worrisome perspectives that many American Jews harbor towards Israeli politics. The sense of entitlement that the American Jewish community has when it comes to Israeli policy is on full raw display in the words of these young adults.”
An unsettling note to leave an entry on – but certainly leaves one with food for thought during Shabbos. So, what do you think? How will this turn out, and how do we get our generation to calm down?
Shabbat Shalom!
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It is a terrible chillul hashem for them to have said that and have it broadcasted across the world, but filming drunk college kids certainly doesn’t add anything to the debate over the current state of affairs between the US, Israel, and the Arab Nations. Our generation need not calm down but instead get more animated and involved! We just need to do it in a civilized and just manner.
With that being said, I feel that a trend has been started which I’m nervous yet eager to see how it plays out. Many fervent Obama supporters are fragmenting into those who feel disenfranchised by his recent policy moves and those who feel as if Obama is still representing his base. I hope that he and his associates step back and take a look at all of his constituents and realize that many of his policies are beginning to alienate them!
Comment by Josh June 5, 2009 @ 5:26 PMI have to agree with much of the above statement. It doesn’t help that someone went out to a bar in Israel and found the drunkest most smart mouthed people he could. Ignorance scares me. I say that because it’s that same ignorance that led to things like the holocaust, apartheid in South Africa etc. etc.
I think my favorite quote from that whole clip was “I’m a poly sci major so I know my shit. He’s a terrorist.” That made my skin crawl.
But anyways to furthur expand upon this, first let me say that being a “christian” (really Cam are you serious right now lol) I am very uninformed about the Israel situation, but I would say I know more than most. Andrea, her rabbi in training friend, (I forgot his name I know I’m lame) and I were having a good convo about Israel last week so I’m gonna pull a bit of info from that as well.
It’s my personal belief that President Obama has done excellent things for the US and ESPECIALLY US foreign relations. They WERE in my opinion non-existent during the G-Dub administration. I don’t know exactly what the youth culture in Israel is like, but I do believe that video probably miss represents them. You have idiots everywhere. But just like America (as you pointed out Mark) You gotta be honest with yourself. if there are bigots in any country talking poorly about the man I chose to lead my country and who I believe can bring a great amount of peace to the planet, then im sorry I don’t like you, and I am not going to support you politically, socially, etc. etc. (Your not my guy buddy!
) But I will say that this is still probably a misrepresentation of Israeli youth, and certainly of young Jewish AMericans (am I right? let’s hope so!) From what I have seen/heard I think most Jewish American youths LOVE Obama and really have HOPE. And this challenge of balancing your homeland and your “home”(US) can’t be easy. I guess what im trying to say is this. Being involved with the politics of two nations is insane to me. Being involved with one is hard Enough! So good luck my friend. I know that isn’t easy and I know how much you care about it. Hopefully those with knowledge (like yourself) can lead the way for not just the Jewish youth, but for the world’s youth. Our generation cannot be one of ignorance and bigotry. I refuse to let that happen, and I know you do to buddy. Have a sweet summer. I’ll keep reading this blog thingy you got goin’ here. It’s really interesting to me. now im off to sunbathe… with Owen… No we aren’t gay….
Comment by Cameron Stuart June 7, 2009 @ 11:10 AM