Does the Israel propaganda machine silence Jews who know better?

[Karmadillo]

The author compares the machine's effect to what the American religious right has done to Christianity.

http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0802-27.htm

Better to Tell Truth Than Parrot Propaganda
One can be a Jew who supports Israel's security without buying the notion that widespread bombing of Lebanon's civilians is justified.

by Warren Goldstein

I am a Jew, and I am an American. I am in anguish over both identities right now.

In my name, my country has been supporting -- with armaments and its remaining diplomatic clout -- the reckless killing of civilians whose only crime is to live in a country that cannot control its own fate. (How supporting? By not exercising its immense influence over Israeli policy and weaponry.)

The country that considers itself a Jewish homeland has effectively declared Lebanon a "free-fire zone" and believes that if its military drops enough bombs on apartment buildings in Beirut (Hezbollah "strongholds") and empties enough southern Lebanese cities, it will destroy Hezbollah as a political and fighting force. The mass grave in Tyre is now burned into Lebanese consciousness, along with Sabra and Chatila.

When I visit the website of Reform Judaism, I see a propaganda effort on behalf of the Israeli bombs. "What can I and my congregation do now to help the people of Israel?" asks a headline. The answer: "Now is the time to stand with Israel in solidarity." I could, the website suggests, "Post a 'We Stand With Israel' lawn sign and proudly fly an Israeli flag at your congregation." After all, "Israel is a home for every Reform Jew."

This is moral and religious nonsense.

And it is silencing Jews who know better, because the Israel propaganda machine works most effectively through Jewish organizations, where any hint that the lives of Lebanese children matter as much as the lives of Jewish children is treated as (1) a refusal to recognize the demands of realpolitik, (2) slippery-slope "moral equivalency" reasoning, or (3) treason. By these efforts Judaism has been reduced to political cheerleading, an international equivalent to what the American religious right has done to Christianity. Too many American Jews are putting their religion on the shelf while they take up the impoverished language of strategy and tactics and realpolitik.

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[furman]

1. Would the "police force" kill Hezbollah terrorists who fire on Israel?

That is why we need an international police force to patrol southern Lebanon, disarm Hezbollah, and keep Israel in its borders.

A peacekeeping force will be useless unless they are able to decisively contain Hezbollah.

[whosinpower]

2. by the exact same standard

that same peacekeeping force would be useless unless they could stop Israel from targetted assasinations and kidnappings of hizbollah.

It has to stop on all fronts.

That is why I believe a no mans land of demilitarized zone should include 10 km of lebanon and 10 km of Israel.