Flotilla Crisis

June 8, 2010

A Narrowing of Heart and Mind: The American Jewish Response to the Flotilla

by Rabbi Sharon Brous, IKAR

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I am certain that I am not the only person who left Sunday’s Solidarity Rally for Israel with a profound sense of unease. While I was not greeted with boos and jeers, like Peace Now’s David Pine (my speech elicited more confusion: “Wait, she’s a rabbi. Isn’t she on our side? What does she mean, ‘We can do better’?”), I was devastated by what I can only understand to be a tragic narrowing of the American Jewish heart and mind.

Let us be clear: Regardless of how we feel about the blockade and its necessity, last week’s events were tragic. Nine people were killed, many more were injured. Israel’s revered military and intelligence apparatus, once the envy of the world, suffered a devastating blow. (As one friend said, “There were 800 activists on those boats. We couldn’t sneak one Mossad agent on board to get an accurate read on the resistance commandos could expect to encounter?”) 

Quick to capitalize on any tragedy for the sake of political gain, condemnations of Israeli policies and denunciations of Israel altogether began with a frenzy. One moderate Muslim group in Los Angeles, usually an ally, put out a press release stating that “Israeli commandos dropped from a helicopter and ‘immediately opened fire on unarmed civilians.’ ” Another wrote that he could no longer abide by the genocidal actions of the State of Israel. Add to the mix tens of thousands crying “Death to Israel” and burning flags in rallies around the world, and Helen Thomas’ absurdly well-timed invective, and fairly quickly the “tragedy” of the incident was superseded by the need, once again, to stand and defend Israel against vociferous attacks on the very legitimacy of the Jewish state. 

And thus a rally is born. Let’s fight fire with fire, it is decided.  We’ll bring thousands of Jews to the streets and show the world that we will not stand by as Israel is delegitimized.  “You’re either with us or against us!” a speaker shouts. “YES!” the crowd hungrily replies. And in a heartbeat, a tragic episode, filled with complexity and nuance, becomes a Lakers’ rally, complete with flag waving, chanting and sloganeering. 

Somehow, in the course of the past few decades, loving Israel has become synonymous with defending every policy of the government of Israel and every action of the Israeli military, a standard we, as good Americans, would never abide in this country.  The ferocity of our fear of delegitimization has rendered us utterly incapable of engaging in intelligent discourse around Israel, has forced us to forget that dissent might truly be the highest form of patriotism, and that love without rebuke, as the rabbis said, is not real love. 

What has happened to American Jewry that engagement with Israel has become a binary choice:  Israel always right or Israel always wrong? I refuse to choose. The most powerful way for us to show our love of Israel is to push beyond the talking points and re-engage the dream that has animated our people for centuries — the dream of a democratic, pluralistic and diverse nation, one in which the Jewish past is honored and its future built, a country in which Jewish culture and language flourish and the spirit receives sustenance, and one that honors the dignity and equality of all its inhabitants.  But that will require moving beyond sound bites and rallying cries, and instead embracing openhearted reflection and courageous action.

Wouldn’t it have been heartening if the Jewish community’s message to the world after the flotilla had been:  “What a painful and tragic event.  We know that we will never have peace until we can mourn one another’s losses. We affirm Israel’s right to defend itself, but we also realize that the status quo is untenable and pray that the world, rather than delegitimize us, will join hands with us and work to achieve a lasting peace.”

Instead, we only proved that we could match their heartlessness and their narrow-mindedness with our own.

Sharon Brous is rabbi of IKAR, a spiritual community.

A version of this article appeared in print.

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THIS RABBI IS A DISGRACE TO HER TITLE. she is only anti-Israel, not anti-semitic, but she comes close

Gerald Schwartz, President
Bnai Zion of Florida
Chairman,Prime Ministers Club, State of Israel Bonds
Past President, Bnai Brith Lodge of Miami Beach

Comment by gerald schwartz on 6/08/10 at 2:22 pm

At last…..Comments that I TOTALLY agree with.

Comment by Jackie Comras on 6/08/10 at 2:27 pm

As King Solomon said “The path of a fool is straight in his eyes”. You have no business representing yourself as a source for or teacher of the Torah’s viewpoint.The tragedy is that Israelis were stabbed and beaten, not that nine people who would like to see you and me beheaded got killed.

Comment by Jonathan Castle on 6/08/10 at 2:30 pm

Bravo. You put into words many of my own feelings. Much as I love Israel, I could not bring myself to attend the rally for exactly the reasons you describe. I am a Zionist but apparently not the right kind of Zionist for most at the rally.

Comment by FJ on 6/08/10 at 2:31 pm

Israel once again bungles - militarily, politically, strategically and tactically - and once again begs the American Jewish community to show its unquestioning support for those bungling ways. If my beloved Israel keeps shooting itself in the foot like this, those who hate us won’t have to push it into the sea; they can wait for it to bleed to death.

Comment by GF on 6/08/10 at 2:32 pm

Bless Rabbi Braus for saying much more eloquently exactly what I was thinking when I left the rally. I was actually horrified by the booing of David Pine and the tepid response to Rabbi Braus. A strong defense and a sense of humanity are not mutually exclusive. As with our own beloved country we want to defend it against evildoers, but we also must remember what kind of country we are try to save.
Barbara Berci

Comment by Barbara Berci on 6/08/10 at 2:38 pm

Israel is not perfect. American Jews know little or nothing about Israel. But is our only country that can be easily destroyed. Many American Jews have turned against Israel without Israel America Jews will have no future or safety.

Comment by Robin Rosenblatt on 6/08/10 at 2:45 pm

Recently I wrote about acting with derech eretz-civility. An excerpt:
I continue to love Israel because I think that a loving relationship cannot exist without each side understanding the flaws of the other.I learned to appreciate Israel as a symbol of the strength of the Jewish people and our continued survival.Our homeland is not perfect, but we are thankful to have it, thankful for what it gives us, and I hope, we are eager to strengthen our land by acting, as Jewish people, with derech eretz

Comment by Rebecca on 6/08/10 at 2:52 pm

The reality that Rabbi Brous ignores is that no matter what Israel does, it is condemned. She believes that “moderate” Muslim groups rushed to curse Israel because nine terrorists were killed.  The hatred is not caused by a botched action of self defense but by anti-Semitism that has been fueled by generations of misinformation and lies manufactured by the Arab world, refusing to accept the existence of a Jewish state, though it was the first and only legitimate government in the area.

Comment by aggie hoffman on 6/08/10 at 2:53 pm

So out of touch with reality. What is tragic was not the loss of the lives of nine terrorists but that so-called leaders like ‘Rabbi’ Brous just don’t get it.

There is a cancer growing in our world. As everyone knows, the only way to beat cancer is to take it all out. If not it will destroy us. Brous’ position does nothing but strenthen our enemies.

I was at the rally and found her remarks foolish and shallow. A ‘do-gooder’ without a clue.

Comment by paul jeser on 6/08/10 at 2:54 pm

I am certain you were one of the only ones who left Sunday’s rally with a profound sense of unease. I mourn the loss of all life. Golda Meir expressed it beautifully. The correct message was. We will not tolerate terrorism even that disguised as humanitarianism.  When will you and the rest of the appologists for the Palestinians realize that in Israel’s attempts to secure itself lives have been lost and that the time has come for the world to condemn and pressure the Palestinians into peace.

Comment by IRA on 6/08/10 at 2:58 pm

Kol HaKavod to you Rabbi Brous.  It seems I’m not the only one to have this first thought upon hearing the tragic events “where was the Israeli intelligence?”

Carole Kracer

Comment by Carole Kracer on 6/08/10 at 3:02 pm

I was not there, but Rabbi Brous’s description of the rally as being like a Lakers rally unfortunately exemplifies the narrowness of discussion among friends of Israel.  I find that I must see who is in the group before I enter the dialogue about Israel.  Either I feel intimidated or that I am “preaching to the choir.”  Neither enriches my understanding of what will lead to the hope for peace and prosperity that are everyone’s aspirations.

Comment by Richard Braun on 6/08/10 at 3:18 pm

It is very depressing to read your comments. Israeli government warned these terrorists time and time again not to sail to gaza, and now, after so many days, Hamas hasn’t bothered to accept the contents of the love boat.
Please know your facts, before passing judgement

Comment by Bruce Bana on 6/08/10 at 3:27 pm

Lets hope we can all step back and think about your comments.  Thanks for your thoughtful article.

Comment by zita Gluskin on 6/08/10 at 3:33 pm

As a veteran of 2 wars in the US Military I fully support the IDF actions, if you have never been in a situation like this you should not judge! We were blamed wrongly for incidents our military was involved in, VIETNAM KOREA and many more. Oh yes I am a Jew and a Zionist.

Comment by Cal Kunin on 6/08/10 at 3:36 pm

BALONEY!  Another example why females should not be rabbis.  Yes, dear, there are times when we have to match the heartlessness of our enemies with our own heartlessness.Jewish tradition teaches when a rodef comes to kill the Jew, the Jew should kill him first.

Comment by res on 6/08/10 at 3:59 pm

If you jerks have a 500 word limit on comments, why don’t you state the limit here BEFORE readers do you the favor of writing a comment?

Comment by Davidka on 6/08/10 at 4:57 pm

The rabbi paints the whole Jewish community with a broad brush - “the narrowing of heart and mind” - based on a rally of 3,000 in LA.  The rabbi has become narrow in her response.
Muslim ally?  Seems like she has been taken in by taqqiya: Islam-sanctioned deception of the dhimmi in order to gain his confidence, for his ultimate betrayal and destruction.
This was a RALLY (not a round table)!  Don’t slam other Jews for being positive and supportive of Israel.

Comment by Ophira on 6/08/10 at 4:58 pm

One of the Muslims’ “useful idiots.” in action.

We did not match our enemies’ “heartlessness and narrow-mindedness with our own.” What a vicious libel. They want genocide. We want justice and peace. A rabbi should know the difference.

I’d also like to know what supposed “moderate” Muslims “who are usually our allies” suddenly call Israel murderers and genocidally bent, as she claims. I know of no such groups. Those who slander Israel are not our “allies.”

Comment by Davidka on 6/08/10 at 5:07 pm

A rally is not the place for complexity and nuance.
If you do not believe that Israel’s positions on a one to ten scale (10 = correct)is a 9-10, then you do not belong at a pro Israel rally. With the Arab world and the so-called Progressives so lined up against Israel we must not waste our time disecting the possible 10% of Israel’s actions that may not be totally perfect. We must emphasize the justness of Israel’s positions, and not get caught up in equivocating.

Comment by Alan Jacobs on 6/08/10 at 5:36 pm

Both sides are to blame.Israel for electing the warmonger Nataniahu and the Palestinians for electing the terrorist Hamas. Unless cooler heads prevail there will never be peace in the Middle East

Comment by G, Kohn on 6/08/10 at 7:06 pm

How sad indeed for the Jewish community that yet another Jewish leader engages in the political correct language and feelings that have proved worthless in bringing forth peace or fostered any sense of pride and idendity for American Jewry.  Rabbi Brous, it is not the peaceniks like yourself that have ever achieved peace, but rather the might of our military.  I recommend that you recognize that there is evil in this world and evil must be defeated.

Comment by Shari on 6/08/10 at 8:26 pm

Dear Rabbi, I am sorry that this rally did not meet your expectations and standards for tolerance and civil debate. I know that you would like to have a Utopian liberal society where everybody can get along and there would be peace. Israel is fighting for its existence. Please meet with Hamas and the world body and asked them to please forgive Israel and the Jewish people for surviving. They may except your apology and love us.

Comment by Harold Agler on 6/08/10 at 8:51 pm

I agree completely with Sharon Brous. I reject the view that if you do not accept and support every decision, every act, of the Israeli government, military, etc. that you are anti-semite.  Israel must be discerning of its actions and policies, as must all nations.

Comment by Eulah J. Capron on 6/08/10 at 9:08 pm

Rabbi Brous’ naive comments are typical of those Jews who engage in wishful thinking and self-delusion. It is time for all Jews to realize that most practicing Muslims be they Arab, Turkish or “American” are at best opposed to Israel’s existence and at worst, are anti-semites who deeply hate Jews wherever they may live. As Jews, we have therefore a duty to support Israel totally, even if the IDF did not perform at their usual high level of efficiency.

Comment by Max Ludvigson on 6/08/10 at 10:42 pm

Lakers rally?! Solidarity is deeply important for Jews/Israelis, whose homeland is constantly under physical and critical fire. To show support for one another in the face of trying times. Lakers rally? What an obnoxious comparison.

Focusing on the obvious tragedy of lost lives does nothing. But highlighting the CAUSE of the tragedy of lost lives is at least somewhat constructive! Anything else does a disservice to those who perished and certainly to those who were put in the position to kill.

Comment by David Benjamin Kopp on 6/09/10 at 12:53 am

“Instead, we only proved that we could match their heartlessness and their narrow-mindedness with our own.” Regrettably this final remark in Rabbi Brous’s statement may have been a winner for the “home team”—-we who are Jews. But stand on the other side—if that is possible—and imagine how this statement was perceived/received… I do love Israel but I cannot and will not love the direction that the current Israeli government is taking this once beautiful dream.

Comment by Michael Krauss on 6/09/10 at 7:08 am

Thank you, Rabbi Brous, for bravely saying what many of us feel. As someone who deeply loves Israel and devotes my professional life to working with Jewish yout to develop a deep connection with the Jewish state, I am tired of being made to feel that the only way to support and love Israel is to never look critically at its actions and policies.

Comment by Alisha Pedowitz on 6/09/10 at 11:21 am

With the world ganging up against Israel and America slowly abandoning Israel. It time for all of us to come together to do what we can to strengthen Israel. The Israel Longhorn Project will help Israel.

The Israel Longhorn Project is the only Jewish/Israeli nonprofit that is self-sustainable and has a limited amount that is allowed to be donate go to <http://longhorn-project.org>

This is what I am doing to help. What are you doing?

Comment by Robin Rosenblatt on 6/09/10 at 12:03 pm

I hope you saw the video “We Con the World”. I sent it out to some 300,000 people to inform, stimulate to think, educate, give us a little support and to get Jews to smile.

This is what I did for Israel. I am also trying to solve an agriculture problem in Israel, Israel Longhorn Project. But, none of you want to help. What are you doing for Israel?

Comment by Robin Rosenblatt on 6/09/10 at 12:11 pm

While everyone wants peace, just wanting it is not enough. Neville Chamberlain certainly wanted and strived for peace at any cost.  More realistic is “If you want peace, prepare for war.” Israel has offered 98% of the disputed terriories in exchange for peace but was soundly rejected.  Offering more now encourages the other side to simply wait for you to make more concessions.  Peace will be achieved when the other side realizes that they will lose more by waiting than by accepting peace.

Comment by David SImantob on 6/09/10 at 2:06 pm

I’ll live and die with Israel, let The G-d of Israel judge, not a want be rabbi. Praise the name of Israel.

Comment by Rev Dale Shellenberger on 6/09/10 at 6:35 pm

The Rabbi has praiseworthy erudition, but blind disregard for Ecclesiastes 3:3 “...A time for tearing down and a time for building up” There’s an appropriate time and place for words and actions.

It was an Israel Solidarity Rally, not an Israel: War or Peace Forum.

If I brought a glatt kosher lunch into her Yom Kippur service would she be broadminded or appalled and what about the rest of the congregation?

Comment by Yael Daniels on 6/09/10 at 11:49 pm

What a nicely written opinion piece, shows a lot of maturity, wisdom and deep thought - something the shallow ones out there can’t grasp. Hope to read a lot more from Sharon Brous.

Comment by Right on on 6/10/10 at 1:13 am

Your comments are NOT well recieved!  You fail to recognize the warnings to the so called “peace activists.”  You failed to see what the rest of the world either saw or ignored…that these people were ready to commit violence when they were boarded. 
Finally YOU, Rabbi, are divisive and foolhardy.  You make it wrong to STAND TOGETHER…no help AT ALL!!

Comment by Stuart Teichner on 6/10/10 at 8:52 am

Help me fight Evil http://Longhorn-project.org

Comment by Robin Rosenblatt on 4/02/11 at 2:55 pm

Thank you the post.

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