Opinion  Nahum Barnea
We’re losing them
Nahum Barnea
Published: 17.03.10, 18:06
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1. Yes, we are losing some of them, sadly, but...
Jehudah Ben-Israel ,   Qatzrin, Israel   (03.17.10)
...should we loose our security and our hold of key national heritage points in our homeland just so that a portion of the American Jewish community will feel good about a country they have never visited, whose history they rarely know and the language of their population they can't use...?? I suspect that whatever Israel did, in light of the strategic goal of our Muslim-Arab neighbors, local and region alike, to wipe Israel off the face of earth, some of the American Jewish community, especially the more liberal among them, would continue to stand by and accuse Israel for... trying to defend its very existence and the life of its citizens. The alternative: The development, through education, of love of 'am israel, eretz israel, and the civilization of israel (the civilization of the Hebrew/Israeli/Jewish people of the past 4,000 years).
2. fair weather friends
Rachel ,   NY   (03.17.10)
3. Most American Christians support Israel
Eric R. ,   USA   (03.17.10)
That may be the even more important factor, since Jews are only about 1.8% of the population now. Israel should focus on getting support from America's right and center, not from its left. Most non-Orthodox American Jews have liberalism as their true faith anyway.
4. Barnea is deeply mistaken
aryeh zahav   (03.17.10)
Barnea wrote: "If a columnist like Tom Friedman, whose love and attachment to Israel requires no verification..." That ignorant passage by Barnea really underscores his deep misunderstanding of the ACTUAL zeitgeist. Tom Friedman is actually an intemperate gasbag, a fool who has been Peter Principle-ed FAR beyond the level of his actual abilities and brains, which are at best minimal. The reason Friedman is lauded to the degree that he is, is simple: he is a "Jew" who is also an IDIOT, a Jew who manifestly does NOT "love" Israel, but, rather, always militates AGAINST Israeli interests, which means, of course, that the NON-Jewish liberal establishment loves him. What better prize can a non-Jew who dislikes Israel find, but a buffoon like Friedman? Friedman and his IMBECILIC "j-street" ilk are just what anti-semites lust after: Jews who hate Israel. The anti-semite gentile LOVES to point to the stupid babbling of fools like Friedman (and, dare I say it, Barnea), in order to prove that thay are not themselves anti-semites. After all, they can accurately assert that they are merely quoting a "real-live Jew," so how in heaven's name could they possibly be anti-semitic? The truth is: good riddance to the "liberal camp" within American Jewry. They have a huge intermartiage rate, in any event have less than 1 child per couple, on avereage, and are through assimilation, intermarriage, low birth-rates and incurable STUPIDITY destined to fall into the dung heap of history. They are a Jewish dead end, not our future. Good riddance to the IDIOT 78% who voted for Caliph Obama.
5. Untrue - even liberal US Jews support building in Y'shalyim
Tomer ,   Herzeliyya   (03.17.10)
6. israel need to reach out to american haredim
david ,   new york   (03.17.10)
the jewish liberals have nada in terms of religious or ethnic identity. their only identity is to liberalism and could give a hoot if israel was wiped off the map. there is no use wasting your time with such people. on the other hand, religious jews in america have grown in number and are highly commited. there are approx 1 million orthodox jews in america with a very large number of haredim. it would serve israel well to reach out to haredi jews in america for support since they are numerous and very commited to the security of israel. until now israeli politicians have ignored them.
7. Nahum Barnea
Jane   (03.17.10)
The liberal American Jews haven't been our friends since the first blush of '67 wore off. That's when they started worrying about the poor Arabs. Tom Friedman is not our friend, he is the friend of the liberal Jews and, more significantly, the Obamaniacs that are out to shove their views down Israel's throat in much the same way they are shoving their views down the throats of the average American. Mr. Barnea, I regret you do not see what I see, only so that you might adjust your lenses.
8. We are living in trying times
Steve Klein   (03.17.10)
I am not sure the prime minister should follow Mr. Barnea's advise and "stay away." Why should he if he has been invited? Because of fear? To some of us (perhaps many) the realization that the USA has not been, nor will it be in the future, a reliable ally is a healthy thing. If American Jewish parents are being negatively influenced by their estranged children to repudiate support for Israel, this does not speak well for the judgment of these parents. As they say, these are times that "separate the men from the boys." I am sure, left-leaning American Jews who fall away from supporting Israel morally and spiritually, for whatever reason, would not wish to think the words of Moses might one day apply to them. Moses wrote: "Not one of these men, this evil generation, shall see the good land which I swore to give your fathers...." Let us hope we are not witnessing the beginnings of an evil generation arising in America.
9. Liberal Jews
joel ,   Pittsburgh,USA   (03.17.10)
Do not worry about the Liberal Jews. They are disappearing. Bibi should appeal to the Christian Zionists and the supporters of the Republican party. The Dems and the liberal Jews are Goingto lose big time in NOvember and again in 2012.
10. We're losing them
yoel ,   ossining, NY   (03.17.10)
#3 Eric is right -on. The secular, liberal Jews of America vote obsessively for the democrats, no matter what. We would do far better to consentrate on the Christian center and right.
11. It's the "peace" stuff that did it
Boris ,   SF, USA   (03.17.10)
It's not just losing, but it's already lost. The roots of this go back to the "peace" process. Meretz, Labor, and "Peace" Now shifted the message from "Support Israel's fight for freedom and self-determination" to "Support Israel because it wants peace." When it became clear that this "peace" was a road to nowhere a whole generation lost its connection. Stop front groups like J Street, bring the focus back to Zionism, and bring in more leaders with the backbones to change the national message (like Avigdor Lieberman) and Israel's message will once again reach receptive ears.
12. Blaming the victim (Israel) is useless - Arab unrest typical
Daniel ,   Los Angeles, USA   (03.17.10)
Appeasement always results in violence. Israel's firm commitment to constructing homes in Jerusalem is the best way to protect against Jihad and bloodshed.
13. Most liberal "jews" are atheists!
who cares what ,   they think?   (03.17.10)
Israel = Judaism Liberals = Atheism and hate for G-d
14. At the time of the first zionist congress
eli ,   nahariya, israel   (03.17.10)
There was a substantial number of influential, wise Jews who were opposed to the concept of Zionism. For years I was puzzled by this. How could Jews be opposed to creating a State? Then, I moved here and saw something for the first time. Its not what you might think.. To have a State you must have an internal sense of what's best for us. Sometimes you have to disagree and stand up for your own best interests, even disagree with your allies. Fact: At least 60% of American Jews have never visited Israel. Question: Who are these kinds of people most likely to be loyal to Obama or Netanyahu? For 2000 years we Jews have longed for and dreamed of returning to Jerusalem. The Palestinian state (after seeing how they behaved after being offered autonomy in Gaza, not something that's likely to happen soon) needn't have demanded Jerusalem as their capital. but they did. Why? Because they know its a deal breaker and they are masters of disruption. Our government is doing the right thing. Its painful to see all those Jews living outside the country who have never visited being pushed aside and forced to recognize their loyalty is to America and not Israel. But that's what happens when a country grows up. Jerusalem is our capital. It always has been -- and it always will be.
15. So what Barnea?
Eddie ,   london UK   (03.17.10)
Barnea thinks he has discovered some amazing fact about Jews, that they have more than one opinion. Perhaps becasue he cannot be creative enough to write somethign more realistic. Ther eis nothign new in what he says. Jews come in all shapes and sizes, as well as political views. For example, there was the case of the notorious Rosenbergs who betrayed america's nuclear secrets to the Communist Soviet regime. They were executed for this crime. And that there are jewish anti and post zionists is nothign new. there is the Neturei karta, the Burg and beilli, and the many left wing Jewish writers around the world. In the US, the left wing are a dying breed, in that they have high rates of assimialtion, over 50% intermarriage. On the other hand, the kippa wearing boys he refers to disparagingly are more likely to remain in the Jewish fold and supprot Israel. He forgets that the improtant and growing Haredi sector in America supports secualr Israeli control of all of eretz Yisrael -, especially Jerusalem, and haredi neighbourhoods like R Shlomo, Bet Shemesh etc. Even Satmar are more pro -zionist than you would believe, not to mention groups like Chabad, and Agudath Yisrael. And Jewish politicians will usually be very careful of supporting Israeli liberation of Judea and Samaria. This was also the case in UK's parliament, with notable politicians such as Malcolm Rifkind in Thatcher/Major governments. On the other hand, however much criticism of Bibi you make, it only strengthens him. it was Bibi who singlehandedly did Israel's Hasbara in the 06 Lebanon war - and the Israeli media (which had failed to make an impression) instead criticised him for his travel expenses. And it was Bibi who also stepepd in to protect Livni form being arrested for war crimes due to the Olmert war in gaza. Who cares about Tom friedman? The washing ton post and WSJ have already criticised Obama's inexpereince in this latest flare up, just like British ministers such as David Mellor and Robin Cook were criticised by the (non Jewish) British commentators for their embarrassing and undiplomatic behaviour when they visited Israel in the past. A few days ago, the fear was that US would stop supporting ISrael, militarily and politically. This myth has been dispelled already. So now Barnea is clutching straws, wiht a lesser bogeyman of the left wing Jews, as if there have never been any before this.
16. What can you expect...
Eaglebeak ,   Left Coast, USA   (03.17.10)
Look who they voted for President.
17. Liberal American Jews
Rick Goldberg ,   Austin--USA   (03.17.10)
American Jewish libs are increasingly lost to Zionism, not just to any "right wing" Israeli government. Additionally, they are also increasingly lost to Judaism, the religion of their ancestors. Within 50-100 years, their proportion of the American Jewish community will be greatly reduced due to out-marriage and low birth-rate. Good-bye and good luck.
18. And Israeli government insults Jewish liberal supporters
David ,   Los Angeles   (03.17.10)
19. LOSE ONE LIBERAL, BUT GAIN 3 MODERATES AND 3 CONSERVATIVES..
jewishness ,   NYC USA   (03.17.10)
NO REAL LOSS...in fact BiBi has brought back many disgusted moderates and frustrated moderate conservatives ...who didn't think OLDEMERDE'S too many un-reciprocated "gestures" to the PA were such a good idea...time has proven this.
20. One Jew you haven't lost
Mel Eiden ,   Lafayette Louisiana   (03.17.10)
Here is one American (former liberal)Jew whose opinion on this issue is strongly weighted in favor of Bibi's rather than Biden's, Hillary's and Obamma's. Freidman is a hypocritical joke whose opinions are only savored by the NY Times elitists.
21. How would liberals react?
Lev Menuchin   (03.17.10)
Liberal "Jews" ??? Rather than wasting my energy enumerating the many, many, MANY examples of idiocy and ignorance inflicted on us by our brethren, the so-called "liberal" Jews, it should suffice to provide the following speculative, but likely SPOT ON illustration: Caliph Hussein Obama could order the bombing of Israel tomorrow (and, indeed, Zbig-Pig Brzezinski, one of the Caliph's policy advisors, would drool over just this prospect), resulting in massive damage, destruction and death, say, in Tel Aviv. Among the dead might be included many ACTUAL RELATIVES of so-called "liberal" American Jews. How would our brilliant members of the 78% who voted for Caliph Huessein react to this? That's an easy one: They would blame Bush, donate more money to the Democrat Party, and come out in large numbers to vote in the next election for Caliph Hussein. THERE IS NO CURE FOR SUCH STUPIDITY. Forget about them - they are intermarrying themselves out of history anyway.
22. Whoever they are loosing us
Gazer ,   Israel   (03.17.10)
23. Israel's true friends and allies aren't liberals.
Chaim ,   Israel   (03.17.10)
Israel is not "losing" Jewish liberals. Israel never really had them. Liberals are not worthy allies or true friends. They mindlessly jump on whatever trendy bandwagon comes along. If it's trendly to support Israel, they will. If it isn't trendy, they won't. Israel should not waste time and resources cultivating liberals. In a study on the most pro-Israel American broadcasters, there were no recognizeable liberal names. Rather Israel should cultivate strong ties with our true friends and allies who are concentrated among mainstream Jews, Fundamentalist Christians and politcal conservatives. Happily the majority of Americans belong to these groups. In a recent study, 40% of Americans identified themselves as conservatives. Only 20% identified themselves as liberals. Let's not waste time on liberals.
24. Israel's true friends and allies aren't liberals.
Chaim ,   Israel   (03.17.10)
Israel is not "losing" Jewish liberals. Israel never really had them. Liberals are not worthy allies or true friends. They mindlessly jump on whatever trendy bandwagon comes along. If it's trendly to support Israel, they will. If it isn't trendy, they won't. Israel should not waste time and resources cultivating liberals. In a study on the most pro-Israel American broadcasters, there were no recognizeable liberal names. Rather Israel should cultivate strong ties with our true friends and allies who are concentrated among mainstream Jews, Fundamentalist Christians and politcal conservatives. Happily the majority of Americans belong to these groups. In a recent study, 40% of Americans identified themselves as conservatives. Only 20% identified themselves as liberals. Let's not waste time on liberals.
25. No. 13
NYC Girl   (03.17.10)
Most liberal Jews may be atheists, but so are a number of Israelis, yet many of them serve in the military and are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. In fact, I know quite a few atheists and agnostics (both Jews and Christians) who are very supportive of Israel precisely because of the fact that its democratic values are diametrically opposed to those of its oppressively anti-liberal neighbors. Also, it's a mistake to confuse not believing in God with a hatred of God. Personally, I've never hated God. I just don't believe in him...or her, as the case may be. Which is not to say there aren't people who hate God. It's just that it isn't true of all atheists. In fact, some of us just quite simply find it impossible to believe a God exists after the horrors of the Holocaust.
26. Which peace plan do Arabs accept that leaves a Jewish state?
Sam ,   Canada   (03.17.10)
Liberal Jews,the US and EU feel it is only correct as friends of Israel to critique Israeli peace plans and behaviour. Which peace plan suggested by liberal Jews, the US or EU would Arabs accept that leaves a Jewish state?
27. Finally !- Good news
Thomas ,   Dixieland USA   (03.17.10)
It's time to get rid of the remnants of the Bolsheviks, the "Yevsektsiya" whose genocidal rule is the modern foundation of the neo-Antisemitism. The American Liberal Jewish establishment is the worst of the worst: they are made of robber baron plutocrats enriching themselves - Soros, Madoff etc. - and preaching Marxism for you. How many of these N.Y. Liberal, moneyed Jews worked on the swamps to build Israel? Now there are out to destroy both the USA and Israel driven by Moloch and the spirit of the Antisemitic Marx their spiritual icon.
28. I'm liberal and I adore Bibi and Lieberman
rafael ,   The Hague   (03.17.10)
29. Good Riddance to Bad Garbage!
Ruvy ,   Gush Shilo   (03.17.10)
We don't need the support of the "liberal" Jews in America. They are the most neurotic bunch of fools the planet has ever produced, and we have enough neurotic leftists without needing to cater to a bunch of neurotic idiots in America who are Jews in name only.
30. I think the Democratic party is losing more Jews rather
Yaniv ,   Israel   (03.17.10)
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