Jewish Chronicle: The Case for the Greens
The Jewish Chronicle last month interviewed Jewish activists with the Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians. In this piece, two Jewish Wisconsin Greens write their views on the Green Party, what it stands for and why Jews should consider voting Green. I encourage you to read the piece entitled “Green Party Seeks to Defend Everyone’s Rights” in the Jewish Chronicle by Mike Bootzin and Ruth Weill.
Probably the highlight – and most controversial – portion is on the Green Party’s positions on Israel and the Middle East. It deserves reprinting here. It is well written, careful, but honest and serious.
Position on Mideast
As Jewish Greens, we take special interest in Middle Eastern affairs, especially when pertaining to Israel/Palestine.
Back in 2005 the Green Party approved support of the Divestment in Israel campaign. Many in the Jewish community saw this as anti-Semitic, an act hostile to the existence of the state of Israel. We disagree.
The Wisconsin Green Party brought this proposal to the national party as the two representatives were also Jewish Greens, one being born in Israel. We feel that the Israeli government is putting Israelis and their country’s existence in harm’s way by continuing to ignore international law while collectively punishing the Palestinian people.We agree that suicide bombing is 100% wrong and should cease immediately. We also believe that the wall that divides Palestinian communities is a crime, ordinary Palestinians cannot go to work, school etc., because most roads are for Israelis only; and the checkpoints are not only an inconvenience, but also a source of humiliation.
Palestinian home demolitions are another crime, as are destructions of century old Palestinian olive trees, their main livelihood. Palestinians lack of clean water is making life miserable for many, and we cannot just sit idle.
Growing up we learned about how the Jewish people worked to create a just world. We feel strongly opposed to having injustice committed in our names.
We want to preserve Israel’s existence, not necessarily as a “Jewish” state as many see it today but for sure as a safe haven for the Jewish people and for the Palestinians, and whoever else decides to reside there.
There are several Jewish activist groups inside Israel and across the globe, working for justice for the Palestinians because they see doing so as part of their duty as Jews. Unfortunately groups like Gush Shalom, Rabbis for Human Rights and several others do not get the exposure they deserve.
There are varieties of opinions regarding the one or two state solution(s) or the term “Jewish state.” It is our opinion that no state should be based on religious affiliation. Jews, Muslims, Christians and members of other faiths should all have equal basic rights in this most desired land.
The Green Party feels strongly about human rights, whether here in the U.S., in Israel/Palestine or elsewhere. We believe in social justice for all.
Cynthia McKinney and Rosa Clemente, the Green Party’s 2008 nominees for president and vice president, have always worked for justice and represent our four pillars and platform.
Read the entire article at jewishcronicle.org
Very well said.
Ditto. I am 100% Jewish-American and support virtually all of these efforts. Allan Dershowitz’s recent op-ed piece on this subject trashing Cynthia McKinney and the Green Party with viciously ad hominem attacks was nauseating.