The Situation

Book Review: Striving for Democracy in Mideast

editor — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:25:04 -0800

By Ziad Asali, M.D.

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.

Book Review: Two Nations Into One Don’t Go

editor — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 10:03:36 -0800

By Philip Mendes, Ph.D.

One State, Two States: Resolving the Israel/Palestine Conflict by Benny Morris, Yale University Press, New Haven, 2009, 240 pp., $26 (hardcover).

Morris’s overview of Palestinian history and politics is very black and white, and rejects the possibility of more nuanced interpretations.

He argues convincingly that the common fear and hatred of the two peoples makes a bi-national state unthinkable.

Morris ... favors a two-state solution, but is extremely pessimistic about its chances for success.

DIRECTOR'S COLUMN: On Goldstone Report and Against boycotting Israel

editor — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 09:25:42 -0800

By Ron Skolnik

On Goldstone Report:

... [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.

Theodore Bikel on Intolerance and Hatred at Jerusalem Day events

editor — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:52:43 -0700

June 9, 2011

Dear friend,

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?

2010 The Year in Review

editor — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 07:04:25 -0800

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.

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The Power of Perception and the Possibility of Policy Change

editor — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:18:48 -0700

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.
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The State of the Union – and the State of Israel

editor — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:57:55 -0800
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.
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Meretz USA letter to Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren

editor — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:58:02 -0800

December 16, 2009
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.
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Pro-Active Humanist Zionism Now: Event featuring Leah Shakdiel

editor — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 09:29:48 -0700

Start: 09/14/2009 - 7:00pm

Pro-active Humanist Zionism Now!
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.
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Ambassador (ret.) Philip Wilcox: The US must present its own Middle East peace plan

editor — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 10:36:45 -0700
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.
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The Situation

Book Review: Striving for Democracy in Mideast

Book Review: Two Nations Into One Don’t Go

DIRECTOR'S COLUMN: On Goldstone Report and Against boycotting Israel

Theodore Bikel on Intolerance and Hatred at Jerusalem Day events

2010 The Year in Review

The Power of Perception and the Possibility of Policy Change

The State of the Union – and the State of Israel

Meretz USA letter to Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren

Pro-Active Humanist Zionism Now: Event featuring Leah Shakdiel

Pro-active Humanist Zionism Now!

Challenging American and Israeli Jews to make a better Israel

featuring special guest:Leah Shakdiel

Ambassador (ret.) Philip Wilcox: The US must present its own Middle East peace plan

featuring special guest:
Leah Shakdiel