(Ha'aretz) Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie - Despite gruesome pictures of civilian casualties in Gaza, American Jewish support for Israel has been unwavering. According to the most recent CNN poll, a majority of Americans believe that Israel's actions in Gaza are justified. Jewish support for Israel comes from across the religious and political spectrum. Apart from fringe elements, American Jews of all persuasions back Israel's position. The rule of thumb is that when Israeli Jews are more or less of one mind, American Jews will be united too. Most Jews in Israel, whatever their political orientation or religious outlook, despise Hamas and support the war that their government is waging; and not surprisingly, most American Jews agree with them. "We are one" is our slogan, and also our reality. Are American Jews repelled by all the killing? Of course. But they want the fighting to end on terms that will disarm Hamas and not simply pave the way to another round of rockets and terror. The writer served as president of the Union for Reform Judaism from 1996 to 2012.
2014-07-28 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive