I Witness the Israel Lobby in Action

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"A few weeks back at Columbia, I watched with amazement as the former Israel soldier Yehuda Shaul, who started the group Breaking the Silence, gave his presentation on the horrors of the occupation to about 75 students in a darkened hall. My amazement had to do with the fact that Shaul's visit was sponsored by a largely-Jewish group at Columbia—Pro-Israel Progressives—and was attended by members of the Hillel chapter at the school. Kudos to them.

After Shaul's speech, representing "my comrades and not just myself," he was bombarded by hostile questions from Israel supporters in the audience. Shaul handled them with strength and ease. (Q. "Do you know of a counterpart organization where Palestinians question their moral decisions?" A. "I really don't care—I am an Israeli who has to raise his children in Israel...")

Just as gripping to me was the discussion that took place after the event between Rachel Glaser, the campus coordinator of the rightwing Zionist Organization of America, and the students who had organized the event.

"What did this accomplish? What did it accomplish?" Glaser barked at the organizers.

"It achieved something important," one of the Jewish students said. "People perceive pro-Israel groups as monolithic. They think that we are not able to take responsibility for the bad things that happen."

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You are "With Us or Agin Us Philosophy" in action. The debate is THE critical factor in a Democracy. That is how we all grow more informed and stronger. Shaul was correct in stating he doesn't care what the Palestinians debate or don't, he was not speaking to their issues, he was speaking to Israeli and his. It would have been a wonderful event to have seen.

Shaul handled them with strength and ease...its usually the case.......for Shaul who not just saw but participated, will probably be able to handle any question thrown at him by any "emotion/religious" based question.

being a campus coordinator and all, but then if it doesn’t suit your agenda it’s a bad thing. There are a lot of bad acts committed by the Israeli government not shown on corporate TV and there are many progressive Jewish people who in no way condone what is going on in the occupied territories, also not shown on corporate TV, but it is good that they let there voices can still be heard.

food for thought

"Great piece, Phil.
Funny how the self-proclaimed advocates of Israel do not understand that the best hasbara (information/propaganda) for Israel is by exposing Americans to the best Israelis, the most thoughtful -- which means opponents of the occupation. The Jewish right think it advances Israel's cause by presenting the Ugly Israel, the defenders of the occupation, the racists, the Carter-bashers, the Israel-is-always-right crowd.
In fact, a truly successful pro-Israel strategy would only showcase the good Israel, not the thugs.
I think an event like this is truly significant because the Jewish kids who attend will, perhaps, join forces with those Israelis, American Jews, Palestinians and others who are determined to achieve a fair, just two-state agreement.
The ZOA and others of their ilk do more damage to Israel than to anyone else. But they will never understand that. Hate overpowers rational thought."