The
Next Founders: Voices of Democracy in the Middle East by
Joshua Muravchik, Encounter Books, 2009, 371 pp., hardcover, $25.95.
The Middle East must be a home to both peace and democracy, but
neither should be held hostage to the other.
The problem
facing Middle Eastern liberals and reformers is how to navigate the
difficult waters between authoritarian states ... and even more
illiberal and reactionary oppositions....
... those liberals
who support or defend radical Islamist organizations because of
shared grievances against Israel and the West are deluding themselves
... that they can do so and sustain liberalism and reform.
... [an] investigation by Israel of its own actions would in no way
excuse the terrible acts that have been committed repeatedly against
Israeli non-combatants.... Related Website posting
Against Boycotting Israel: ... the BDS movement's
disregard for the history that gave rise to the need for Jewish
national liberation is both insensitive and misguided politically.
Your immediate reaction was
as I feared it would be. Finding excuses and justification for a mob scene that, in any other context, would merit instant condemnation and opprobrium. To
characterize the shouts of ‘Death to Arabs', whether in the past or now, as
‘rageful response to Arab excesses' cannot be read as anything but
indifference. You did not see ‘stones thrown or weapons used' and that somehow
makes the scene a peaceful protest? No matter that it was in the middle of the
night in a civilian area inhabited mostly by Arab Israeli citizens, entitled to
no less protection from hooligans than Jewish ones?
For 2010 we wanted to make a David Letterman style "Top Ten" list of the most important events of 2010 in Israel. Coming up with this list was harder than anticipated. We didn't want to be overly negative and only call attention to the stories and events that disappointed, discouraged or shamed us. But we also didn't want to be too shiny and happy and only mention the good news either. So, with the sincerest of efforts to both call truth to power and to keep on the sunny side, we present you with two top five lists: the events in Israel that caused us both shame and pride in 2010.
One of the biggest existential dangers facing Israel today may be not fully understanding how the country is seen by the world at large. The power of perception is significant. So too is the way we work to shape those perceptions. These ideas were presented by Avshalom “Abu” Vilan, a former Member of Knesset (MK), the Israeli parliament, during a talk last night at the Meretz USA offices.
In his State of the Union address Wednesday night, President Obama assured the American people that he would continue to aggressively pursue his domestic agenda in 2010. He summed up his determination at the end of the speech with a rousing, "I don't quit" guarantee.
But does the same tenacity and steely resolve apply to his Middle East peace initiative? Is the President still in it for the long haul? Or is Mr. Obama getting ready to let Israelis and Palestinians "stew in their own juices", as Israeli political analysts are fond of saying? Will he throw them off like excess baggage, weighing down an Administration already saddled with challenges enough for the next 3 years?
The first month of 2010 has provided several alarming signals.
Embassy of Israel His Excellency Michael B. Oren, Ambassador of Israel to the United States
Your Excellency,
Meretz USA for Israeli Civil Rights and Peace, a longstanding affiliate of the American Zionist Movement, wishes to express our deep disappointment and great alarm over your recent remarks with regard to the J Street organization, delivered at the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's biennial convention.
Challenging American and Israeli Jews to make a better Israel
featuring special guest: Leah Shakdiel
During the Gaza War of last winter, Leah Shakdiel, a modern orthodox woman, peace activst and feminist was arrested with others during a vigil protesting the violence and killing on both sides. The Israeli government put her under house arrest and through these actions threatened her political freedoms of speech, assembly, and organizing.
Through teaching and continued activist work with Israeli Human Rights NGOs like Machsom Watch, Mirkam Azori, Darom4Peace, and Rabbis for Human Rights, Leah works tirelessly to bring the values of peace, equality, human rights, and social justice to the next generation of Israelis.
On Tuesday, June 9, 2009, Ambassador (ret.) Philip C. Wilcox, Jr., the President of the Foundation for Middle East Peace, addressed a crowd of Meretz USA supporters in New York. His wide-ranging remarks included a history and analysis of the Israeli, Palestinian and American approaches to the peace process. The summary below focuses primarily on the American aspect of his discussion.
Ambassador Wilcox termed Barack Obama's June 4 speech in Cairo as "stunning", and he praised the President for showing an equal measure of compassion for Israelis and Palestinians, without diminishing America's "unbreakable" bond with Israel.
For 2010 we wanted to make a David Letterman style "Top Ten" list of the most important events of 2010 in Israel. Coming up with this list was harder than anticipated. We didn't want to be overly negative and only call attention to the stories and events that disappointed, discouraged or shamed us. But we also didn't want to be too shiny and happy and only mention the good news either. So, with the sincerest of efforts to both call truth to power and to keep on the sunny side, we present you with two top five lists: the events in Israel that caused us both shame and pride in 2010.
In his State of the Union address Wednesday night, President Obama assured the American people that he would continue to aggressively pursue his domestic agenda in 2010. He summed up his determination at the end of the speech with a rousing, "I don't quit" guarantee.
featuring special guest:
On Tuesday, June 9, 2009, Ambassador (ret.) Philip C. Wilcox, Jr., the President of the Foundation for Middle East Peace, addressed a crowd of Meretz USA supporters in New York. His wide-ranging remarks included a history and analysis of the Israeli, Palestinian and American approaches to the peace process. The summary below focuses primarily on the American aspect of his discussion.
