Letter to the Editor: Story Headline Is Misleading

The Jewish Advocate

January 31, 2008

The time is now to conclude an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement. Next year may be too late.

The headline of your recent article about Barack Obama is a perfect example of the rumor-filled and fear-based messages that have be circulating among Jewish groups online with the intent of undermining support for his candidacy among American Jews.

The content of the article in fact demonstrates that there are nlegitimate reasons to doubt Obama’s fundamental support for Israel; furthermore, as it points out, nine major Jewish organizations quickly denounced the smear campaign. Yes, some Jewish Democrats are disinclined to support Obama, just as all Democrats are currently divided in this hotly contested primary campaign. However, your choice of headline stating that Jews are “afraid” of Obama, coupled with the incomplete lead-in quote,from Steve Grossman, is an undisguised attempt to promote fear rather than understanding.What American Jews should be afraid of is being manipulated by extreme and unscrupulous groups that prefer their preconceived ideas to the facts.

Deborah Fogel
Newton