Peace Demonstration Bares Its Anti-Semitic Teeth: Cry of pain from the deluded, halfway-decent Left

frontpagemag.com/The Nation/Tikkun ^ | February 11, 2003

[SJackson]

The following letters are being circulated by Marc Cooper of The Nation and by Tikkun Magazine, respectively.

Rabbi Michael Lerner has been banned from speaking at the antiwar rally in San Francisco this Sunday, February 15. One of the rally organizers, Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER), has stated that it will not allow a "pro-Israel" speaker to take the stage -- despite the fact that Rabbi Lerner has been an outspoken critic of Israeli policy in the occupied territories, has endorsed ANSWER's antiwar rallies in the past, has signed the Not in Our Name petition against the war, and is widely known to be among the most progressive of American rabbis. Other coalitions organizing the rally, including Not in Our Name and United for Peace and Justice, have acceded to ANSWER's opposition to Lerner, on the grounds that they had previously accepted as a condition for participation in the demonstration the agreement that if one of the groups vetoed a speaker that all would have to agree.

We, the undersigned, protest ANSWER's refusal to let Rabbi Lerner speak at this Sunday's rally. At a time when the antiwar movement needs as broad a platform and as broad an appeal as possible, ANSWER has chosen instead to put the interests of sectarianism ahead of the interests of all those who oppose this foolish and unnecessary war. We believe this is a serious mistake, and that it exemplifies ANSWER's unfitness to lead mass mobilizations against war in Iraq.

- Michael Berube and Marc Cooper

Progressive Rabbi Banned From Speaking at Peace Rally Because of His Pro-Israel Stance

Rabbi Michael Lerner can not speak at the peace rally in San Francisco, February 16th. That was the response given when various groups proposed Rabbi Lerner, thinking it logical to have him speak since he is one of the most prominent peace voices in the Jewish world.

But Rabbi Lerner was blackballed and banned by A.N.S.W.E.R., one of the four organizing committees for the S.F. demonstration expected to attract hundreds of thousands. The reason: Lerner had been critical of the way that A.N.S.W.E.R. has used the anti-war demonstrations to put forward anti-Israel propaganda.

Lerner, editor of Tikkun magazine, is himself an outspoken critic of Israeli policy. But he is also a Zionist who believes in the State of Israel and supported his son to serve in the Israeli army in a combat union (the tzanchanim or paratroopers). But Lerner and Tikkun magazine have been equally critical of acts of terror by Palestinians, and they have called for Palestinians to follow a path of non-violence. In his 2003 book Healing Israel/Palestine, Lerner calls for a "progressive middle path" that is both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine, and argues that the best interests of each can only be achieved if the other side also achieves its best interests.

Other coalitions supporting the rally , including the United For Peace and Justice and the Not In Our Name, went along with the ban, arguing that they had previously accepted as a condition for participation in the demonstration the agreement that if one of the groups vetoed a speaker that all would have to go along. A.N.S.W.E.R. spokesperson, speaking on the Brian Lehrer show of WNYC, said that they would not agree to have a "pro-Israel" speaker at their rally. Meanwhile, there are many in the organized Jewish world who will not let Lerner speak because he is too critical of Israeli policy.

Beyt Tikkun synagogue, where Rabbi Lerner serves as a rabbi in San Francisco, issued the following statement: "Rabbi Lerner has urged us to continue to support the demonstration for peace on February 16th, and we will be there to show that many Jews oppose this war. However, we do not believe that had A.N.S.W.E.R. been criticized by a major feminist or gay leader and then vetoed that leader to speak at a demonstration that the other coalition partners would go along with that. So why should criticism of anti-Semitism and Israel-bashing be treated differently? A.N.S.W.E.R. doesn't believe that Israel has a right to exist. We are enthusiastic supporters of Israel, even though totally critical of its current policies. So why should our voice of critique of A.N.S.W.E.R.'s anti-Israel policy serve as a justification for excluding our rabbi from speaking? This seems a dangerous double-standard and conveys, probably unintentionally, the message that somehow anti-Semitism is not a significant issue for anti-war protesters."

Rabbi Lerner said, "I'm honored that some people wanted me to speak, and dismayed that the specific reason I'm not allowed to speak is my criticism of the anti-Israel bias of A.N.S.W.E.R. But I believe that the message of peace is far more pressing at the moment than the message of fighting the anti-Semitism among some of the march's organizers."

- Tikkun Magazine

[Mamzelle]

re: I see a shift in voting from Jewish voters. )))

I just antiticipate lots of crying and pouting. There is no circumstance imaginable that would make a liberal Atlantic seaboard Jew vote like a Southern Baptist.

[xJones]

One of the rally organizers, Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER), has stated that it will not allow a "pro-Israel" speaker to take the stage -- despite the fact that Rabbi Lerner has been an outspoken critic of Israeli policy in the occupied territories, has endorsed ANSWER's antiwar rallies in the past, has signed the Not in Our Name petition against the war, and is widely known to be among the most progressive of American rabbis.

There is something so fitting about this Israeli critic and left-wing Democrat being kicked out the door. The pathetic part is that it probably won't open his eyes, he'll just grovel around like an unwanted dog and hope that some liberals will accept him back in.

[Cachelot]

The ANSWER droids need to be hunted down and incarcerated/deported/whatever...

[niteowl77]

The German Jews shaved their beards and were as patriotic and nationalistic as the rest of the Germans, but, when the head of the National Socialist German Worker's party (N.S.D.A.P), Adolf Hitler, took over, it did not matter,

Witness the historical treatment of Wilhelm Frankl: a fighter pilot who died for Germany, he was a holder of the Pour le Merite. He was also a Jew, and Hitler was not about to let the man's sacrifice count for much. Whatever other failings Wilhelm II had (and they were many), his personal anti-semitism apparently had limits. How nice of our homegrown left to be less tolerant than the Kaiser.

[Little Bill]

Most of the people I have run across from A.N.S.W.E.R./WWP are self hating Jews. A term I never heard from before 9/11.

[SJackson]

I would think it would be 98% for the Republicans knowing how the left feels about the PLO etc.

Israel isn't a major issue for a LOT of Jews. And even among those for whom it is, you've still got a lot in Lerner's appeasement camp.

[AbsoluteJustice]

Can someone answer me something about Billary Clintoon?
I have wanted to know for a very long time what was in her final term thesis paper in college that she will not have released. No one but her or her professor know what is contained within her paper. Any ideas from anyone?? I suspect it is pro-communism or pro socialism. Anyone wish to expound on this?

[veronica]

Leftist Jews like Lerner will be always be used by the ANSWER types when needed, and discarded just as quickly when no longer needed. Lerner and his ilk are pathetic naifs, and ANSWER is scum. I hasten to add that I think of people like Lerner less as Jews than as leftists, since leftism is their true religion.

[uncbob]

Actually Hillary is thought to have gotten about 54% of the NY State Jewish vote, below her statewide margin and well below the 80% Gore received. Lots of split ballots.

That shows the problem
Jews still vote liberal except when they perceive it a problem for Israel
That's why Hillary didn't get as much as Gore.
Some Jewish voters saw her as friendly to the Arabs

If Bush wins a quick victory in the Middle East and the Jewish voters perceive Israel as safe it will be back to the democrats for the liberal segment of the Jewish vote

[MainFrame65]

1. You can pick your friends.

2. You can pick your nose.

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

[KC_Conspirator]

Including certainly Rabbi Lerner. He seems an intelligent if totally misbegotten soul. Has he listened to any of the invective at previous anti-War rallies? Does he know who the organizers are? Does he have any idea of what these "anti-war" leaders really believe in?

I believe Lerner is the radical leftist friend of David Horowitz. Lerner got married in the 70's and he and his wife exchanged wedding rings made out of a downed US jet aircraft from Vietnam.

[CyberAnt]

Just squeeze the tube long enough, and what's inside will come out!!

[MainFrame65]

(31 was misdirected - I meant to reply to the original poster. Sorry....)

[judicial meanz]

I think Lerner belongs to the quickly shrinking group of Jews who believe that social awareness is a commandment, and supporting the left is the only way to keep the commandment. Its a poor interpretation of the Mitzvah, but it was widespread until the left started showing its true colors.

I can think of a lot of other ways to keep my commandment to help the poor and miserable without rabid left wing crapola, and I hope he wises up soon and realizes he is contributing to a potential holocaust of his own people.

[Abar]

I see a shift in voting from Jewish voters.

Don't bet on it.

Self-hating Jewish leftists are a strange bunch.

[Revolting cat!]

Rabbi Lerner needs to learn from Randy Travis and go back to a better class of losers before this uptown living really gets him down!

[DoughtyOne]

True

[DoughtyOne]

You sure do, but I never understood it. Thanks.

[DoughtyOne]

Your thoughts are about like mine. I don't remember what it addressed, if I ever did hear what it was. They've kept that think very close to the vest. We must protect our fellow comrads from political harm you know.