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Misrepresenting Jewish Attitudes toward a Ceasefire in Gaza
(Los Angeles Jewish Journal) Rabbi Jeremy Barras, Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner and Rabbi E. Samuel Klibanoff - According to NBC News, "Hundreds of Jewish organization staffers call for White House to back Gaza ceasefire." The sub headline was, "Most signed anonymously for fear of their jobs." Which is it? Is there broad support for a ceasefire, or is this view so radical that espousing it would cost someone their job? The letter was used as evidence that there is popular support in the American Jewish community against Israel defeating Hamas. In fact, these individuals do not represent these organizations and do not claim to do so. In reality, calls to leave Hamas in power and demand an Israeli ceasefire are outside the mainstream of Jewish opinion. Not one of the 50 diverse organization that make up the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations are calling for a ceasefire. Instead, their CEO, William Daroff, has reposted comments against a ceasefire, such as those by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. A recent poll by the Jewish Electorate Institute found that 74% of Jewish voters approve of President Biden's handling of the war between Israel and Hamas. By a margin of nearly 2-1, American Jews support the U.S. vetoing a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire. As rabbis spanning the Jewish denominational spectrum, we wanted to add clarity, which is why we organized an open letter signed by nearly 700 rabbis that explicitly rejects the letter covered by NBC News. Unlike the pro-ceasefire letter, these rabbis all include their full names. Put simply, the position that requires anonymity to espouse isn't mainstream. The position that you can attach your name to is. Why are some in the media continuing to present fringe positions as mainstream? Rabbi Jeremy Barras is a Reform pulpit rabbi in Miami, Florida. Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner is a Conservative pulpit rabbi in Closter, New Jersey. Rabbi E. Samuel Klibanoff is an Orthodox pulpit rabbi in Livingston, New Jersey.