As I and other progressive Zionists have observed time and again, supporters of Israel can now be divided into two camps: those who believe Israel can do no wrong and/or should at least, never been criticized publicly (in front of the goyim); and those who realize that Israel is no longer a fledgling endangered state that must be supported at all cost, even if it means we compromise on the ethical and moral teachings of Judaism.
Among the political and religious right-wing of Israel, there are not surprisingly, die-hard tribalists who will tell you in the same spirit of religious and national fanatics of any religion or country, that Israel’s cause is God’s. God gave the Jewish people the land of Israel so no one else can claim a right to live there let alone rule over it without Jewish permission. Politically conservative Israelis and their supporters in the Diaspora, will readily share with you voluminous examples of Arab terrorism, murder and inhumanity to justify Israel’s mistreatment and indifference to the Palestinians.
In point of fact though, many Zionists in Israel and the Diaspora don’t subscribe to such reactionary, chauvinist perspectives. While we most certainly do believe in, love and support Israel as the national Jewish homeland, in recent years we have raised our voices individually and through new organizations such as ‘J Street‘ to declare that we will no longer compromise our values and understanding of God’s laws that clearly state that all people are entitled to be treated with respect and dignity. Sadly, those who lack the will, the intellect or the emotional maturity to discuss sensitive, crucial issues related to the rights and interests of the Palestinian people are too often inclined to call us names like: traitors, worse than the Arabs, self-hating Jews, etc. We consider the source and move on.

As you would expect, I disagree with this essay. One line with which I disagree is : “Israel is no longer a fledgling endangered state that must be supported at all cost,” It is still treated as a fledgling state by the UN and world opinion, so we had better think of it that way. And I can’t even comprehend how you say it is not “endangered”. I am very disappointed that you wrote this post which does not respect serious supporters of Israel who do not agree with you 100 percent. Way too much hostility coming from you.
Janice, I thank you for taking the time and making the effort to leave feedback. I know you well enough by now to know that you would disagree with much of what I said in this column. I have for years wrestled with my style of writing which I know, doesn’t pull any punches. There are times I scold myself and want to tone down my verbiage; then there are times when I feel so upset and angry that holding back is difficult if not impossible. I hope yo can appreciate that I too feel under attack very often by the Jewish political and religious right. I’m not only offended by those who would argue that I’m a “bad Jew” or bad Zionist for the views I hold, but I constantly find my Jewish identity embarrassed and threatened by those pious and politically conservative Jews of Israel who overtly promote hate and violence in the name of God, Torah and Israel. That’s an affront to everything I value and stand for. You and I apparently agree 99% of the time on domestic political issues. Correct me if I’m wrong Janice, but I’m not aware of you ever suggesting that I’m too hostile towards Republicans or tea-party types when I write about them. I hope you can appreciate that when it comes to Israel, the same passions flow through my writing as when I write about American politics. Because you don’t share my point of view on Israel, I guess my hostility hits home on a personal level. And for that, I am truly sorry. You are a valued friend and mensch and I would never want to intentionally denigrate your intelligence or sincerity.
I think there is a middle ground between those you criticize and those you agree with. Not all who think J Street has gone too far, agree that all the settlements should be permanent. There is room for middle-of-the-road positions. (I happen to think Danny Gordis, Alan Dershowitz, and Arnie Draiman are some of them, but I know we disagree there.)
So of what I find objectionable in much that is written by J Street supporters is:
1. They protest disproportionally about Israel. and seem ok with much more serious offenses by other countries.They hold Israel to a higher standard than other countries. Now, God is allowed to hold us to a higher standard but only Nevi’im are allowed to speak for God.
And they do it in public which creates a situation for the unknowledgeable that Israel is worse than other countries when it is not true. This puts Israel in a terrible position in that it already has so many enemies or those who don’t know better, who now see Jews coming out against them.
2. They never hold the Palestinians responsible for anything. Does anyone doubt that if the Palestinians said tomorrow that they accept a 2 state solution with realistic borders that Israel would give up land for peace as it ALREADY has done in the past? As far as I know, the official Palestinian policy is no legitimacy for a Jewish state in any part, including the pre-’67 borders.
3. Israel is given no credit for what it has done in the past which may have hurt itself. And they have no answer for why they couldn’t live with the pre-67 borders. What about the withdrawal from Gaza? That worked out real well. Also the IDF gets no credit for trying to spare Palestinian civilians which endangers our guys, yet the army continues to follow strict procedures to spare collateral deaths.
4. They have no plan as to what to do except for Israel to pull back with no promises from the other side.
5. And who is Israel to negotiate with? We see the precarious situation with Egypt now due to regime change. Can anyone blame Israel for not being able to figure out how to move ahead.
I do believe that your language in criticizing conservatives and Repubs is sometimes too harsh, but then you are not hurting something that I love, so I am able to stay silent. I cannot do so when I feel that your criticism hurts what I love and care about.
Sorry for overuse of pronouns above. Hope you can understand who is who. Sorry no time to go over it as carefully as I should have. Also some other typos.
Coincidentally, the day after I published this column, the NY Times raised similar concerns.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/22/opinion/sunday/israels-embattled-democracy.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss