US rabbi barred from San Francisco war protest, as too 'pro-Israel'

The Jerusalem Post ^ | 12 February 2003 | THE JERUSALEM POST INTERNET STAFF

[anotherview]

Feb. 12, 2003
US rabbi barred from San Francisco war protest, as too 'pro-Israel'
By THE JERUSALEM POST INTERNET STAFF

Rabbi Michael Lerner says today he has been barred from speaking at an anti-war protest planned for this Sunday in San Francisco, because he spoke out against the organizers'dissemination of anti-Israel propaganda.

Lerner, the editor of Tikkun magazine and rabbi of Beyt Tikkun synagogue, writes of his being turned away at the rally on the op-ed page of Wednesday's Wall Street Journal.

"We at Tikkun do not believe that this war--in which thousands of Iraqi civilians are likely to die--will bring democracy to the Middle East. Instead, it is bound to increase the threat of terrorism to American citizens and provoke more violence," Lerner writes.

Yet "imagine my surprise," he says, at being banned from speaking at the rally, one of whose sponsors is a group called A.N.S.W.E.R., whose spokesman said this week they don't want a pro-Israel speaker at the rally.

"My sin was publicly criticizing the way that A.N.S.W.E.R.,has used the antiwar demonstrations to put forward anti-Israel propaganda," Lerner says.

"There is support on the left for self-determination for every group in the world except the Jewish people," he writes.

Lerner further notes that he has been asked by fellow Jews to keep quiet "about anti-Semitism on the left. After all, they say, stopping the war against Iraq is so much more important."

He maintains that "Tikkun will be bringing thousands of our supporters to the demonstration Sunday.

"But just as we fought against the sexism and homophobia that once infected the left, we will challenge anti-Semitism and Israel-bashing on the left, even as we say 'no' to a war with Iraq."

[anotherview]

It's really hard to be a Jewish leftist nowadays, isn't it?

[finnman69]

God forbid a rabbi speaks out against anti-semitism! ROFL

Where are all the anti-semitic rabbis? Get them to the Anti-American parade quick!

[MindBender26]

Love how these creeps respect freedom of speech so much.

[Grampa Dave]

ANSWER is an anti Jewish/Israel organization of hate pretending to be a peace organization. They, also, hate America/Americans as much as they hate Jews and Israelis.

Hopefully one of these days the IDF will have documented the flow of money from the Opecker Thugs to clymers like those in control of ANSWER. Then, they can clean house around the world.

[concerned about politics]

Yet "imagine my surprise," he says, at being banned from speaking at the rally, one of whose sponsors is a group called A.N.S.W.E.R., whose spokesman said this week they don't want a pro-Israel speaker at the rally.

Peace, but only for those the commies chose?
They hate Israel, yet they call themselves people for "peace?"
Gimmie a break!!!!
If this isn't obviously political, nothing is! What a bunch of commie hypocrits! I thought this was suppose to be about Iraq!!

[ambrose]

Michael Lerner is scum... he's one of the original FOBs.

[thetruckster]

"Love how these creeps respect freedom of speech so much."

Ah, yes. The integrity issue.

[Grampa Dave]

But maybe he had a conversion after what happened in Israel after 9/11.

I doubt it, but I have seen some very liberal Jinos become conservative Jews in the last year!

[SJackson]

dupe thread

US rabbi barred from San Francisco war protest, as too 'pro-Israel'

[Texas_Jarhead]

hey Rabbi, what do you expect from the hard left? each and every one of them are their own self-contained totalitarian regime.

[MainFrame65]

Things you can do:

1. You can pick your friends.

2. You can pick your nose.

But Mr. Lerner is finding out that (1) an (2) do not mean that you can pick your friend's nose.

[Rodney King]

There is nothing better than watching your enemies fight amongst themselves.