Even if the government does no such thing, Israel’s citizens have a responsibility to explain to the organized American Jewish community and to its umbrella organization, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, that we, the citizens of the largest Jewish community in the world, view these groups as anti-Zionist. Israeli citizens should request an explanation for the inclusion of some of these groups in pro-Israel umbrella organizations like the Conference of Presidents when like their goal is to weaken Israel, to weaken Israel’s alliance with the U.S. and to strengthen Israel’s enemies. Israeli citizens can and should send letters and e-mails to this effect to the Conference at its New York offices.
One of the great strengths of the American Jewish community is its pluralism. On a religious level, all communities – from the ultra-Orthodox to the ultra-Reform – are recognized as Jewish communities. But there is a line that everyone knows may not be crossed. Jews for Jesus have removed themselves from the Jewish people and everyone knows this. There is not one Jewish organization that accepts them as Jews.
By the same token, the vast majority of American Jews support Israel. As is the case with religious observance, this support runs the gamut from disciples of Meir Kahane to followers of Yossi Sarid. But everyone knows that organizations like Not in My Name, which acts as the Jewish American branch of the International Solidarity Movement, seeks to undermine IDF operations and makes common cause with Israel’s enemies, are not Zionist organizations.
Like Jews for Jesus, Jews who work to weaken Israel’s security and undermine Israel’s relations with the U.S. and strengthen Israel’s enemies take themselves beyond the broad tent of the American Jewish pro-Israel community.
Israel’s alliance with the U.S. is based on the fact that most Americans support Israel. American support for Israel finds its roots in foundations as diverse as religion, politics, morality, security, culture and economics. While the alliance is visibly weakened, its foundations remain solid. To rebuild American political support for Israel and to enhance the U.S.-Israel alliance, it is imperative that Israel be capable of understanding the nature of this support.
This understanding begins by making distinctions between our many friends and our foes and acting on these distinctions. Not all of our friends are Jews and not all Jews are our friends.