Awaited Realignment
In assessing the growing divide in American Jewish opinion regarding how to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Jay Michaelson (“The Logical Realignment,” October 14) claims this “is simply an alignment of conservatives with conservative policies and of liberals with liberal ones.” Were it this simple, the great liberal majority of American Jews would unambiguously support President Obama’s thwarted efforts to apply robust diplomatic measures to reinvigorate negotiations on the long-established basis of the 1967 borders with agreed territorial exchanges — a formula rejected by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In fact, far too many Jews, resolutely liberal on most domestic issues, unquestioningly support the ultraconservative policies of this Israeli government, even when those policies are clearly inimical to achieving peace.
Fortunately, the realignment Michaelson envisages is beginning to take place with the establishment of J Street, which is providing a home for increasing numbers of Jews seeking to align their love and support for Israel with their progressive values. When genuine realignment occurs, when liberals at home are also liberal on Israel, the United States will again become an effective force for peace in the region.
Gil Kulick
New York, N.Y.
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