Board Chair Reflections: My Duty to Speak Out


The New York Times
published an opinion piece on January 19th by Michelle Alexander, entitled “Time to Break the Silence on Palestine.” It was scary. Very scary. Regardless of your view on The New York Times, it is widely read and highly respected in many circles. The article was rife with historical misrepresentations, half-truths, omissions and other forms of outright falsehoods – all of which are just a degree of lying. 

That’s the scary part. 

Millions of people read the piece without the knowledge necessary to fully understand the degree to which Ms. Alexander created a reality that demonizes Israel – and, yes, Jews (references to the Jewish power in the U.S. is blatantly anti-Semitic) – to further a completely unacceptable position. She references several groups who overtly attack Israel’s right to exist, e.g. Jewish Voices for Peace, which is a misnomer and insult to Jews who do sincerely want peace. While a discussion of how to resolve the complex Israel-Palestinian relationship is merited, Ms. Alexander does us all a disservice.
 
I have read several brilliant rebuttals to this opinion piece, articulating arguments far more eloquently and persuasively than I could. Alan Dershowitz’s response in The Hill and David Harris’ blog in The Times of Israel are particularly powerful (Harris is the Executive Director of the American Jewish Committee). Whether your politics align with either of these individuals is irrelevant. The substance of their arguments is what we should focus on.

With these and other prominent figures publicly denouncing Ms. Alexander’s position, I hesitated commenting, as I felt I added very little to this refutation. But I do add value. So do you. I have heard throughout my life that silence is acquiescence and that, as Jews, we must fight anti-Semitism wherever and whenever it arises, lest the rhetoric ripen into action. It is our duty. 

Unfortunately, the tactics of misrepresentations/omissions/etc. of fact have invaded our mainstream political discourse, emanating from all sectors of society. Ms. Alexander is employing these tactics in a far more dangerous manner. People will read her message. For some, it will confirm their most hateful perception of Jews. To the less informed, it will provide “data” that strengthens the growing chorus on campuses and around the world seeking the end of Israel and persecution of Jews. 

We need to be very clear in the lines we draw, especially as Jews. Criticism of Israel is not only a right, but a necessity for open, effective and enduring democracy. Even the harshest critics of Israeli policy and the untenable Palestinian situation must distinguish their position from one represented by Ms. Alexander. She does not criticize Israel’s policies. She invokes Jewish stereotypes of the worst anti-Semites. She engages in dishonest rhetoric. She calls for the end of Israel and marginalization of Jews and does a poor job of hiding that agenda. No Jewish critic of Israel with whom I engage ever calls for these objectives. They believe in Israel’s existence. They are committed to a strong Jewish future. While I may disagree with their stances, they do not offer false information to support their criticisms.

Ms. Alexander represents an extreme position supported by lies. Call them half-truths, misrepresentations or omissions, but they are lies. They do nothing to further an honest discussion around Israel and the Palestinians. She incites hatred – hatred against Jews. And this is why I speak out. It’s my duty.

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Mazel Tov! Finally, a leader in the Jewish community is acknowledging what has been a fact for many years. If you are a leftist progressive, you must hate the Jews or be hounded out of the movement (look up Women's March). The greatest threat to Jews in our world are not the neo-Nazis (who have a tiny following of ridiculous yahoos), but the mainstream progressive movement that calls for BDS and the destruction of the only homeland for the Jews. That Michelle Alexander was given a prestigious forum in a national newspaper to spout her anti-Semitic blather, is only another step in the mainstreaming of Jew-hatred on our campuses, the media, and in politics. Just as Muslims are encouraged to denounce their terrorist co-religionists, liberals must also stand up to condemn those in the left-wing community who would continue the work of Hitler's Nazis.

Hi Brian,
Thank you for your leadership and for your important reflections today concerning the Michelle Alexander, NY Times published opinion article .

Two excellent organizations that I recommend supporting for checking accuracy in the news concerning
Israel and antiSemitism

Www.Camera.org
Www.HonestReporting.org

Best wishes
Susan