American Jews Are Becoming Increasingly Critical of Israel

[Purveyor]

According to a Pew survey, American Jews are becoming increasingly critical of Israel, with nearly 50 percent no longer believing that its leaders are sincerely interested in making peace with Palestinians.

The Pew survey's findings are particularly significant when one considers what Peter Beinart calls the "American Jewish cocoon." Within many segments of the American Jewish community, honest looks at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are not normative in synagogues or Jewish institutions, and a majority of Jewish leaders tend toward reflexively supporting Israeli policies (such as settlements and the occupation) which are both self-destructive and hurtful to Palestinians.

However, the views of American Jews at large are straying from the institutional norms, particularly, and perhaps most significantly, the 18-29 set.

For example, 48% of American Jews no longer view the Israeli government as making sincere efforts at peace, as opposed to 38% who do, and for those under 30, only one in four (26%) view the Israeli government as sincere brokers.

Additionally, 44% of American Jews now view Israeli settlement construction as hurting Israeli security, as opposed to a mere 17% who think it helps. For those under 30, the numbers skew even further, with 50% finding settlement construction as self-destructive as opposed to 11% who feel that settlements help Israel. (I understand some might find the question offensive, thinking, The settlements are hurting Israel? But please note that the Pew survey attempted to measure American Jews' connection to, and concern for, Israel.)

more...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/15/1247665/-American-Jews-Are-Becoming-Increasingly-Critical-of-Israel#

[OregonBlue]

1. This is good news. Gives hope that evenutally America will stop funding fundamentalists in Israel.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

7. True, but there will always be the ones that try and distract viewers away from the truth.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/113449109#post5

Instead of debate, when they know they can't, they try to distract from the original point.

And it is the same few propagandists, at least here, that continue to do it.

[King_David]

2. Even if 90% if Jews were to be "critical of Israel "

The so called " I am not antiSemitic just antiZionist" types will find new avenues and cloaking of their bigotry.

New methods will be found ...

Helen Thomas at least never hid it.

(This is a general statement ...not talking about any DU members of course )

[Purveyor]

3. Indeed.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

4. However you want to massage it dave, the odds are increasingly stacked

against brute Israeli policies, and increasingly it is the young that see it that way...regardless of religion.

The ham-handed approach of the IDF and right wing Netanyahu hawks with regards to the Palestinians, illegal settlements and international diplomacy is making Israel look increasingly like the 300 lb buffoon in the room: knocking into furniture and the fine china as it pushes whomever it wants out of its way.

[King_David]

5. Some choice quotes and real 'mature' debating technique from R. Daneel Olivaw on this thread alone .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1134&pid=49049

'what a bunch of amateurs '

'You're really not that good at this'

'In act you are downright horrible at it. '(sic)

'You really are an amateur.'

'Amateurs, all. '


'You really are horrible at spreading the BS around'

'Just go away and be lame someplace else'

'

Yes real mature



Update:

Amateur.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1134&pid=49145

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

6. When ahem, dave, can't debate the obvious truth he goes into fallback cherrypick mode.

Poor, poor dave.

On edit: It is so nice of you to try and distract from the OP at every turn, but let's go right back there now. Shall we?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/113449109

[shira]

8. IOW, they're as critical of Israel as Zionist Jews in Israel. So? Duh....

Does that make them anti-Israel accusing Israel of apartheid, naziism, ethnic cleansing, colonialism, genocide...?

Nope.

They're still rightwing zionists in the eyes of the haters.

[WatermelonRat]

9. You nailed it.

Thinking the settlements are wrong or that a given military action is unwise doesn't equate to accepting the narrative pushed by the anti-Israel folks.