Push U.S. on Peace

New York Jewish Week
May 27, 2005
By Diane Balser

Fifty days after the Exodus from Egypt, according to tradition, our ancestors wandered in the wilderness before receiving the Torah at Sinai. That time is commemorated every year in the mitzvah of counting the Omer -- a time for introspection, meditation and study to prepare oneself for the revelation. During this time, we also mark the anniversaries of the past century's greatest tragedies and triumphs for the Jewish people.

These two sides of the Omer -- remembering our heritage of victorious struggle and thinking deeply about how we can live righteously in our own age -- have led some Jewish communities to dedicate this time to a close study of the problems faced by the State of Israel today, and to working for a secure peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The contrast is made particularly poignant by the observance during the Omer of Yom Yerushalayim, the anniversary of the Six-Day War, in which Israel gained control over all of Jerusalem, as well as over the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Since 1967, though, Israel has struggled with these acquisitions. Decades of attempting to control and assimilate the new territory have been met by decades of grueling Palestinian violence, economic and social tumult on the Israeli side, and profound hardship for the Palestinians as well. For 38 years, many Israelis have feared that the only choice for them is between retaining the entire Land of Israel or acceding to the state's destruction. The choice for many American Jews seemed to be between backing the Israeli government, right or wrong, or abandoning the Jewish state to certain doom.

In the last 13 years, that paradigm has changed at an accelerating rate. A third position, one that seeks to safeguard the State of Israel by achieving peace, has emerged. Recent polls report roughly 70 percent support among Israelis, Palestinians and American Jews for a two-state solution.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, the architect of the 1970s settlement policy, has proposed disengagement from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank. This plan has the support of roughly two-thirds of Israelis and of American Jews. In the aftermath of Yasir Arafat's death, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has made important strides to restrain violent groups, reform and ready the Palestinian security forces to confront terror, and democratize the Palestinian political infrastructure. Abbas currently has an approval rating of 76 percent.

This rosy picture is not without its thorns, however. In opposition to the pro-peace majority within Israel, radical settlers have threatened to stop the disengagement by any means necessary, and Israel's security apparatus is warning of attempts to repeat the Rabin assassination. And even if the disengagement is successful, if it is not followed by a return to negotiations and the establishment of an agreed two-state solution, the parties could slide backwards into renewed bloodshed. This month's Palestinian municipal elections indicate that Abbas' Fatah party is in imminent danger of losing control of Palestinian parliamentary elections to Hamas in elections this summer.

But instead of shoring up moderates in the Abbas government by rewarding their efforts to date, both Israel and America have taken actions that strengthen the hands of the extremists -- Israel by evicting Palestinians from East Jerusalem, seizing land within the West Bank for the security barrier, dragging its feet on promised prisoner releases and publicizing plans to expand settlements onto land whose status has not yet been agreed upon; America by derailing critical economic aid to the Palestinian Authority and preventing the government from competing with Hamas to provide vote-garnering social services.

Some members of Congress apparently believe that it is pro-Israel to flaunt the wishes of Israeli and American Jewish majorities by weakening a Palestinian president who repeatedly has condemned violence against Israel. Much to the contrary, this strategy will likely produce a Hamas government for the Palestinians and a renewal of violent conflict. The true pro-Israel choice is to stand for peace.

American Jews need to tell Congress and the administration that our country must be pro-Israel by becoming an active partner for peace. America must support this summer's disengagement and oppose any attempt by anti-peace factions on either side to derail negotiations or prejudice their outcome. America must not be afraid to put its money where its mouth is in support of moderates on both sides who are brave enough to make the painful concessions needed for peace.

Whether or not you've been counting the Omer days this spring, there's still a chance to make your voice count for peace.

Diane Balser is the vice president and incoming CEO of Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace.