Tuesday, June 8, 2010
For decades, The Boston Workmen's Circle has benefited from its association with the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston. In terms of prestige and cash grants through CJP's Donor Advised Funds, the "yiddishkayt" group has flourished in its mission of preserving eastern European Jewish culture and promoting a socialist agenda of "a besere velt" (a better world). Sadly, the organization has not risen to the challenge of preserving Israel. For decades, The Circle has hosted scores of virulently anti-Israel speakers and events.
The recent Gaza Flotilla incident is a shameful case in point. Recently, the Boston CJP issued an accurate and commendable statement on the maritime attempt to resupply and support Hamas:
"Our community grieves this most recent loss of life in the Middle East which, like so many others before it, has as its direct cause the refusal of certain forces to end their state of war with Israel. Hamas' determination to persist in its declared effort to eliminate Israel, and to maintain the Gaza Strip as an armed base from which to conduct its campaign of elimination, continues to bring no end of tragedy to the people of this region, and to frustrate hopes for peace at every turn. Hamas' unwillingness to make peace with Israel, and to make Gaza a place of opportunity rather than a place of war, continues unabated and so, too, does the loss of life for which Hamas is responsible. Our hearts go out to the people of this region, and we stand with the state of Israel as it struggles and struggles again to cope with those who, regrettably, refuse to permit Israel and its neighbors to live in peace.
Certain fundamental points are of critical importance. First, Hamas, which rules Gaza with an iron hand, is recognized by the international community as a terrorist enterprise, and one which has pledged itself to the annihilation of Israel and the torpedoing of peace. Second, Hamas insists on using Gaza as an armed base from which to wage war on Israel and, for that matter, on the peace process. Third, it is Hamas and its allies who have necessitated the embargo on the Gaza Strip, which has as its purpose stopping the flow of materials used to launch attacks on Israeli civilian centers.
Fourth, Israel works on a daily basis to ensure that aid that is genuinely humanitarian in nature reaches the civilians of Gaza, who are effectively held hostage by a repressive regime which cares more about waging war on Israel than it does about improving the lives of its people. And finally, the organizers of the flotilla involved in today's incident, who ignored repeated warnings from the Israeli government intended to avoid violence, chose to refuse Israel's offer to ensure that the humanitarian aid on board these ships be routed to the people of Gaza after any non-humanitarian materials were removed. Sadly, this speaks volumes about the real nature of this flotilla.
Our community continues to hope that those who are so adamantly opposed to peace with Israel will join with those who desire peace, and will cease taking actions designed to frustrate the cause of peace in the Middle East to which all reasonable people aspire."
In stark contrast to the CJP statement, The Workmen's Circle produced the following:
"The Workmen's Circle expresses its grief and horror at the consequences of the Israeli military attack on civilian ships bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza, resulting in the death of at least nine civilians. Unless there is an end to the occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and the lifting of the blockade of all civilian goods to Gaza, tragic events like this one will continue. Regrettably, the policies of the current Israeli government have resulted in the continued oppression of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, while at the same time undermining Israeli democracy and contributing to the isolation of Israel in the world community. The ongoing occupation and the blockade of Gaza not only diminish Israeli security and embitter daily Palestinian life, they also threaten peace and stability in the wider world.
We call upon the government of the United States to support a thorough and genuinely impartial investigation into the events of May 31st, and to support the prosecution of any violations of international law that such an investigation may uncover. More importantly, we call upon the United States to employ its considerable influence and resources to bring about a speedy and just solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict through the establishment of a viable, independent Palestinian State based on the pre-1967 borders, with agreed-upon adjustments, alongside a safe, secure, and democratic Israel."
For CJP to maintain relations - and financial support - to an organization that, at every opportunity, has sided with individuals and groups that seek the end of Israel as a Jewish state is absurd. If The Workmen's Circle wishes to resurrect the Bund, to celebrate Stalin's birthday or to commemorate Die Freiheit, let them do so inside their own bizarre tent. At a time of unprecedented, existential threats to Israel, the Jewish community tent isn't big enough to accommodate their betrayal and mishigas.
