I try to read as much as possible – whenever I am not reading something for a specific class (guess which one happens more). Though I enjoy classics and famed authors – Steinbeck, Vonnegut, Hunter S. Thompson – I focus mostly on Non-Fiction, so that I might get in depth analysis on specific issues frequenting my mind and our News sources.

Amongst other things (Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath), I just picked up Dan Fleshler’s Fix-America’s-Middle-East-Foreign-Policy guide, Transforming America’s Israel Lobby. You may know Fleshler from his work with left-of-center leaning pro-Israel organizations (Ameinu, Americans for Peace Now, Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, J Street), but suffice it to say, a smart person wouldn’t be caught reading a copy of his book in AIPAC’s offices.

I have made my views known on Israel’s overarching predicament (once, and a second time), and though I am only 50 or so pages into Fleshler’s book, it is apparent that he and I draw the same conclusions, albeit mine being far less expressive or eloquently stated. Flesher writes:

Regardless of what the United States chooses to do [with out M.E. Foreign Policy], if it pushes back against Israel in any way, it will be attacked by well-organized American constituencies who believe it is their mission to squelch any disagreements. And that is why a stronger political alternative, a lobby for the rest of us, is needed. (22)

…it is time for American Jews who care about Israel to find new ways of expressing themselves, new forms of activism to help both America and Israel address today’s challenges. And it is time to join together with others in the United States who see no contradiction between being pro-American, pro-Israeli, and pro-Palestinian. (27)

So far, Flesher seems to deliver a balance of criticizing AIPAC (he insists the proverbial gorilla that is AIPAC is more like 400 pounds than 800, if you will), while promoting an American F.P. which does not bow to Israel, but rather, allows an even-minded representation of both sides’ respective narratives (an idea Flesher expands on better than I can rephrase: read the book).

Clearly a fascinating read so far – I’ll be interested to see what other points Flesher makes, as well as my feelings about the Israel Lobby once I’ve finished the book. I look forward to reading about it over Shabbat – I’ll edit this post motzei Shabbos with new thoughts.

Shabbat Shalom!