TTT1131–Aug 1-BoycottingIsrael
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Every so often, TruthToTell tries to examine some local perspective on a national or global issue that has no small impact on people we care about.
In recent months, the United States government has chosen to sic this country’s legal machinery on individuals and organizations who dare to defy the administration’s official stances on the State of Israel’s treatment of Palestine and Palestinians. Minnesota men and women committed to peace and humanitarian relief for Palestinians decimated by Israeli firepower, especially in Gaza, have not only been detained and subpoenaed to appear in Chicago with only a scant notion of their accusations, but Palestinian sympathizers attempting to deliver humanitarian relief have been attacked or detain on the high seas and in ports of the Mediterranean. People have died at the hands of Israel’s military in pursuit of such aid in the name of national security.
The United States refuses to condemn these killings and other actions taken by Israel. Our President’s response to continued occupation and settlement of the West Bank in violation of 1967 accords has been tepid at best, negligent at worst.
It remains a conundrum for this country’s Jews as well. According to the American Jewish peace organization, J Street, Substantial majorities and pluralities of American Jews* support a peaceful resolution and a strong leadership role for the US in pressuring both Israelis and Palestinians to settle the conflict. They also agree that Israel’s continuing of its housing projects in East Jerusalem damaged US-Israeli relations.
But does the government of Israel under Benjamin Netanyahu really care what we think here? What American Jews think? And do American Jews continue to send money and support to Israel despite their feelings about its nasty incursions against Palestinians?
Yes, American Jews are split on whether the US should level more criticism at Israel for its behavior than it does Palestine, but most agree that the US should still speak out publicly.
Now, various Jewish groups are seeking to exert a kind of pressure almost everyone can understand: Economics. Stop and reduce the money. Withhold the investments. Stop buying Israeli goods. Boycotts. Suddenly and recently, Israel passed a rigid anti-boycott law. Of course, to whom these laws apply could be a question.
One group – Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) – has launched an initiative to stop certain funds from further investing in Israel, especially the huge pension funds within TIAA-CREF. JVP has condemned any escalation of violence, but that Israel’s earlier this year was again disproportionate. Stating that…
Within the context of 44 years of the Israeli occupation of Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, in the past two years (January 31, 2009 to January 31, 2011), starting just after Operation Cast Lead), over a thousand Palestinians have been made homeless by home demolitions, hundreds have been unlawfully detained, and over 150 men, women and children have been killed by the IDF and settlers, according to the Israeli human rights group B’tselem.
Many acres of Palestinian land have been taken and orchards uprooted by armed settlers. Countless hours have been lost at checkpoints, often fruitlessly, while Palestinians attempted to get medical care, jobs, and access to education. One and a half million Gazans have been living with a limited food supply, lack of electricity and dangerously toxic sewage.
This week, TRUTHTOTELL’S ANDY DRISCOLL and MICHELLE ALIMORADI discuss the status of actions being taken against Israeli violence and the economic response they encourage with national and local members of Jewish Voices for Peace.
CECILIE SURASKY – Deputy Director, Jewsh Voices for Peace; on JVP’s staff since 2003; Editor of Muzzlewatch, JVP’s acclaimed blog documenting efforts to silence open debate about Israel-Palestine policy, and leads JVP’s fundraising, media and online outreach efforts.
DALIT BAUM, PH.D. – founder of “Who Profits from the Occupation”, an activist research initiative of the Coalition of Women for Peace in Israel. Dalit is a feminist scholar and teacher in Israel at Haifa University and the Beit Berl College.
JORDAN ASH – Minnesota Chapter Representative of Jewish Voice for Peace.
*I regret having originally linked Dalit Baum’s name to a site that vilifies her and her work. The new link is more accurately descriptive of same. AD
NOTE: We tried contacting local J Street representative, Attorney Andy Luger, with no success. Everyone connected to this subject is welcome to call in and comment at 612-341-0980.