December 13, 2005
By Taryn Plumb

Activist urges more U.S. Jews to get involved for Israel's sake.

WORCESTER — Some Jews in the United States won’t even broach the topic of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Others are overly critical. Many more become outraged if Israel is cast in a negative light. At least that’s how Diane Balser, CEO of Brit Tzedek v’Shalom, the Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace, described it.

"U.S. Jews need to organize and express our voice, politically, around Israel," she said. "As a country, Israel has everything to gain and nothing to lose."

Ms. Balser gave a lecture Sunday at Temple Emanuel on May Street on how American Jews can support peace in the Middle East. The discussion was the second in a series of breakfast programs dedicated to prospects for peace in the Middle East after the Gaza pullout in September.

During her talk, Ms. Balser highlighted the ongoing issues of the conflict, discussed recent advancements and called for action on the part of American Jews.

"The essence of being a Jew is doing the right thing, both in our own interest and the interest of all people," she said.

The majority of Jews today don’t really know or understand what’s going on in Israel, she said, and it’s not because they’re indifferent or unintelligent. Rather, they’re reluctant to open their eyes to the reality because they’re afraid they may lose their faith.

"You read the newspaper and say ’Ugh, I don’t want to read the newspaper,’" she said. "We’ve got to get into what’s going on there."

That can be done by thinking intelligently about the issues surrounding Israel, she said, as well as organizing for peace and the creation of two states.

A two-state solution is essential, she said, because it would create a buffer against anti-Semitism. With recognized borders, Israelis could rebuff when attacked and not face condemnation.

"What we can do today is recapture the deep caring and love that existed for Israel," she said.

Strides have recently been made in the peace process, she said, pointing to the efforts of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to ease control of the Gaza Strip by Israelis.

Israel ended its 38-year presence in Gaza in September, but up until November still controlled crossing points, including in the Gaza Strip. The agreement was reached in mid-November as a means to allow Palestinians reliable access to goods, services and the outside world.

"It is possible, it is doable." Ms. Balser said of the possibility of peace in the Middle East.

Rabbi Jordan Millstein of Temple Emanuel said he feels that way too, especially since he took part in a Worcester-based Jewish-Muslim dialogue.

Spearheaded by U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, the gorup included Jews and Muslims from the area and met once a month for a year-and-a-half after the 9-11 tragedy. The group held discussions about different issues, including America’s involvement in the longstanding conflict.

"Personally, I didn’t have any relationships with Muslims that were really substantive," Rabbi Millstein said. "It was really very, very enlightening. It showed how important it is to have these kind of dialogues and personal relationships."

Ms. Balser drove that point home by saying it’s essential for Jews to remember Palestinians are striving for peace as well.

"We all carry the notion that the other side are not human beings," she said, explaining that on both sides of the debate there are real people who feel hurt or angry. "If we think (Palestinians) are all terrorists, then it will become self-fulfilling."