This summary provides the key points from the document in 3 sentences:
The document discusses several topics related to Israel including the upcoming Gaza flotilla, the potential Palestinian unilateral declaration of statehood, and the views of German politicians on these issues. It also summarizes an article about the different priorities of "security Jews" versus "democracy Jews" when it comes to Israel. Throughout, the document analyzes how these events and perspectives could impact Israel, the Palestinian territories, and the peace process.
DuBow Digest Germany Edition April 30, 2014dubowdigest
This document provides a summary of the Dubow Digest newsletter. It discusses several topics related to Israel, Germany, and the Middle East peace process. Regarding Israel-Palestinian peace, it suggests that the US adopt a more patient approach of supporting Palestinian institutions rather than trying to quickly broker a deal. It also includes a lengthy excerpt from an article arguing that Germany owes Jews a deeper understanding of Israel's security concerns and the complex realities on the ground, given Germany's historical role in the Holocaust.
Du Bow Digest Germany edition feb. 6, 2011dubowdigest
Chancellor Merkel of Germany visited Israel for the third annual joint cabinet meeting between the two countries. During discussions, Merkel urged Israel to halt settlement construction and make progress on peace talks with Palestinians. Both leaders expressed concern over the unrest in Egypt and other Arab countries. Merkel also met with Israeli President Peres and opposition leader Livni to discuss regional issues like Iran's nuclear program and the stalled peace process. The article concludes by criticizing Richard Falk, the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian human rights, for endorsing 9/11 conspiracy theories.
Du bow digest germany edition september 8, 2011dubowdigest
The document discusses recent events impacting Israel and American Jews. It summarizes tensions between Turkey and Israel over the Gaza flotilla incident and the ongoing diplomatic fallout. It also discusses Republican congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's opposition to Palestinian unilateral declaration of independence and efforts to cut off US funding. Additionally, it notes the continued propagation of the antisemitic text "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" and efforts to revitalize Jewish communities in the cities of Charleston, SC and Detroit, MI.
DuBow Digest -Germany edition october 10, 2010dubowdigest
The document discusses several topics related to Germany, Israel, and Jewish communities:
1) It congratulates Germany on the 20th anniversary of reunification and notes the significant accomplishments since the fall of the Berlin Wall, while also acknowledging the challenges of reunifying East and West Germany.
2) It discusses the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and differences in perception between Israelis and others regarding settlement construction, citing an article explaining the Israeli viewpoint on continuing construction.
3) It provides an overview of several other articles and topics in the newsletter, including analyses of a Jewish state, the Christian group Christians United for Israel, a German company decision regarding Israel, changes at the White House, and cultural issues.
Du bow digestgermany edition july 29, 2011dubowdigest
This document provides updates on news related to Israel, Germany, and the Jewish community. It discusses the ongoing debt ceiling debate in the US, the Palestinian situation, a failed Gaza flotilla attempt, economic conditions in Gaza including a new luxury hotel, and the severe economic crisis facing the Palestinian Authority. It also discusses small American Jewish communities struggling to maintain Jewish life as younger generations move away to larger cities.
Isolation/deisolation of abkhazia in western paradigm-engEI LAT
The document summarizes the evolution of the Western paradigm regarding Abkhazia and its conflict with Georgia following the 2008 Russo-Georgian War. It discusses 3 phases - an initial reactive response to the crisis, a period of reassessment where the West acknowledged Russia as a party to the conflict, and a shift to a more proactive approach of "non-recognition and engagement." The goal of this new approach is to pursue engagement with Abkhazia in order to reduce its isolation while still upholding Georgia's territorial integrity and not recognizing Abkhazia's independence.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has faced numerous failed negotiations over the past 50+ years to resolve the dispute over land occupation. The conflict is structurally asymmetric in nature, with Israel possessing greater military and economic strength than Palestine. This power imbalance, combined with differing narratives over the legitimate claim to the contested land and an unwillingness by many key players to compromise, has created barriers to achieving a lasting two-state solution. So long as the root structural issues and belief systems on both sides remain unchanged, and the main negotiators like the US are seen as lacking impartiality, peace will continue to remain elusive.
DuBow Digest Germany Edition April 30, 2014dubowdigest
This document provides a summary of the Dubow Digest newsletter. It discusses several topics related to Israel, Germany, and the Middle East peace process. Regarding Israel-Palestinian peace, it suggests that the US adopt a more patient approach of supporting Palestinian institutions rather than trying to quickly broker a deal. It also includes a lengthy excerpt from an article arguing that Germany owes Jews a deeper understanding of Israel's security concerns and the complex realities on the ground, given Germany's historical role in the Holocaust.
Du Bow Digest Germany edition feb. 6, 2011dubowdigest
Chancellor Merkel of Germany visited Israel for the third annual joint cabinet meeting between the two countries. During discussions, Merkel urged Israel to halt settlement construction and make progress on peace talks with Palestinians. Both leaders expressed concern over the unrest in Egypt and other Arab countries. Merkel also met with Israeli President Peres and opposition leader Livni to discuss regional issues like Iran's nuclear program and the stalled peace process. The article concludes by criticizing Richard Falk, the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian human rights, for endorsing 9/11 conspiracy theories.
Du bow digest germany edition september 8, 2011dubowdigest
The document discusses recent events impacting Israel and American Jews. It summarizes tensions between Turkey and Israel over the Gaza flotilla incident and the ongoing diplomatic fallout. It also discusses Republican congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's opposition to Palestinian unilateral declaration of independence and efforts to cut off US funding. Additionally, it notes the continued propagation of the antisemitic text "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" and efforts to revitalize Jewish communities in the cities of Charleston, SC and Detroit, MI.
DuBow Digest -Germany edition october 10, 2010dubowdigest
The document discusses several topics related to Germany, Israel, and Jewish communities:
1) It congratulates Germany on the 20th anniversary of reunification and notes the significant accomplishments since the fall of the Berlin Wall, while also acknowledging the challenges of reunifying East and West Germany.
2) It discusses the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and differences in perception between Israelis and others regarding settlement construction, citing an article explaining the Israeli viewpoint on continuing construction.
3) It provides an overview of several other articles and topics in the newsletter, including analyses of a Jewish state, the Christian group Christians United for Israel, a German company decision regarding Israel, changes at the White House, and cultural issues.
Du bow digestgermany edition july 29, 2011dubowdigest
This document provides updates on news related to Israel, Germany, and the Jewish community. It discusses the ongoing debt ceiling debate in the US, the Palestinian situation, a failed Gaza flotilla attempt, economic conditions in Gaza including a new luxury hotel, and the severe economic crisis facing the Palestinian Authority. It also discusses small American Jewish communities struggling to maintain Jewish life as younger generations move away to larger cities.
Isolation/deisolation of abkhazia in western paradigm-engEI LAT
The document summarizes the evolution of the Western paradigm regarding Abkhazia and its conflict with Georgia following the 2008 Russo-Georgian War. It discusses 3 phases - an initial reactive response to the crisis, a period of reassessment where the West acknowledged Russia as a party to the conflict, and a shift to a more proactive approach of "non-recognition and engagement." The goal of this new approach is to pursue engagement with Abkhazia in order to reduce its isolation while still upholding Georgia's territorial integrity and not recognizing Abkhazia's independence.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has faced numerous failed negotiations over the past 50+ years to resolve the dispute over land occupation. The conflict is structurally asymmetric in nature, with Israel possessing greater military and economic strength than Palestine. This power imbalance, combined with differing narratives over the legitimate claim to the contested land and an unwillingness by many key players to compromise, has created barriers to achieving a lasting two-state solution. So long as the root structural issues and belief systems on both sides remain unchanged, and the main negotiators like the US are seen as lacking impartiality, peace will continue to remain elusive.
Alfred m. lilienthal zionism & american jews - journal of historical review...RareBooksnRecords
The document discusses how Zionism has come to dominate the American Jewish community through organizations like the Zionist Organization of America and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee lobbying and exerting strong influence over politicians by delivering bloc votes and campaign donations from Jewish communities concentrated in swing states. It argues that Zionist leaders have deceived American Jews into supporting Israel and confusing humanitarianism with nationalist goals.
Du bow digest germany edition nov. 23, 2010dubowdigest
This document is a newsletter providing updates on various topics related to Judaism and Jewish communities in Germany and elsewhere. It discusses the upcoming holidays of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah in the US. It summarizes a fraud scheme involving millions of dollars embezzled from a Holocaust compensation fund in Germany. It also covers topics like the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Germany's relationship with Iran, challenges facing American Jewish organizations, and the publishing of the first Jewish children's book in Germany.
The document analyzes proposals for world government and argues they constitute treason against the United States. It claims the ultimate goals of prominent world government organizations like United World Federalists would reduce the American standard of living, curtail liberties, destroy free institutions, scrap the Constitution, abolish the military, and give away the Panama Canal. While many supporters have good intentions, the movement is actually controlled by socialists, communist sympathizers, and "One World Firsters" plotting to destroy the American way of life and create a global socialist superstate. Evidence suggests world government is being promoted to establish socialism in the U.S. Critics are dismissed while the movement's leadership hides its true aims behind patriotic rhetoric.
Du Bow Digest American Edition dec. 12, 2012dubowdigest
The document provides summaries of several news stories related to German-Jewish and German-Israeli relations. It discusses:
1) Angela Merkel's speech reaffirming her commitment to Israel's security and Jewish life in Germany.
2) Germany's abstention in the UN vote on Palestinian statehood, which disappointed Israel but which Germany viewed as supporting a two-state solution.
3) The annual meeting between the Israeli and German cabinets in Berlin, where Merkel and Netanyahu pledged continued friendship despite disagreements over settlements.
4) Germany's efforts to document remnants of German-Jewish culture worldwide through a public broadcaster project.
This document provides an overview of lecture material on modern world governments and political science. It covers several topics discussed in the lectures, including state interdependence, the impact of foreign policy on domestic politics, European integration, reasons some countries do not embrace democracy, Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points and the establishment of the United Nations. The document outlines key concepts and ideas within each of these topics over multiple pages in bullet point format.
Du bow digest germany edition march 6, 2013dubowdigest
The document summarizes recent political developments in Israel following its national election. The main points are:
1) Prime Minister Netanyahu is working to form a governing coalition but has faced challenges from new parties opposed to including ultra-Orthodox parties.
2) The emerging coalition will likely be more liberal on domestic issues but maintain the status quo on peace negotiations with Palestinians.
3) While Germany remains committed to acknowledging the Holocaust, public opinion has turned against Israel and anti-Semitism seems to be becoming more socially acceptable, according to some analysts.
Political Science 7 – International Relations - Power Point #11John Paul Tabakian
This document provides an overview of key topics covered in Dr. Tabakian's Political Science 7 course on modern world governments. Some of the main topics discussed include: state interdependence and how domestic politics can be impacted by foreign policy; the development of international organizations and European integration; reasons why some countries do not embrace democracy; the evolution of Wilson's 14 Points into the United Nations; how military institutions have remained strong post-Cold War; the rise of human rights as a component of foreign policy; different types of conventional and unconventional forces; evolving military technologies including terrorism; weapons of mass destruction like nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons; and the geopolitical challenges of proliferation.
1. This document outlines principles for coordinating "gray activities", which are defined as unattributed information activities that could potentially be acknowledged by the US government if necessary.
2. It establishes that the State Department, US Information Agency (USIA), and a designee of the Operations Coordinating Board (OCB) share responsibility for gray activities. Field coordination is required to determine which agency will take responsibility for a given activity.
3. It provides criteria for determining responsibility, including whether disclosure of the source could embarrass the US or damage the outlet. If disclosure poses these risks, responsibility falls solely to the OCB designee.
President Bush's July 2007 speech calling for a Palestinian state and dividing Jerusalem marked a turning point that negatively impacted US-Israel relations and the US economy. The economic turmoil that began with stock market declines the week after the speech can be traced back to Bush dividing God's covenant land. Some religious figures linked Hurricane Katrina, which hit the US a week after Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 due to US pressure, as divine punishment for the US role in the Gaza withdrawal and pressuring Israel.
President-elect Donald J. Trump will enter the White House having promised to radically alter United States foreign policy, with ramifications for Americans and the world.
But it’s not yet clear how. Mr. Trump offered vague and sometimes contradictory proposals during his campaign, with few of the typical details or white papers. Voters, foreign policy professionals and the country’s allies are all, to a real extent, left guessing.
Here, then, is a rundown of what we know about Mr. Trump’s foreign policy ideas and what some experts say about their feasibility and likely ramifications.
Greece-EU relations: hypocrisy in all its greatnessTakis Karagiannis
“Hypocrisy, Anti-Hypocrisy and International Order” project addresses the problem of the West’s policy of double standards and the criticism of the West’s own hypocrisy as an ideological basis for attacking the liberal order created by the West. It aims to formulate policy proposals for how Western governments should act and speak in a situation where the relative decline of Western powers will make it increasingly difficult for governments to practice idealistic politics; while, at the same time, non-Western policy actors work to delegitimize the current liberal order and to justify their own revisionism by escalating accusations about the hypocrisy of the West.
The War Council meeting discussed establishing a new organization for psychological warfare operations during peacetime to be run by an Assistant Secretary of State. It was agreed this would involve both white propaganda openly attributed to the US and black propaganda without attribution. The Director of Central Intelligence and a military representative would advise the Assistant Secretary of State. The Security Council would need to give the DCI legal authority to assist the State Department. However, there was confusion after the meeting about whether a new director would be appointed or an existing Assistant Secretary of State would take on the new responsibilities.
The Guatemalan Ambassador met with the Secretary of State to discuss improving relations between Guatemala and the United States. The Ambassador expressed concern over recent rejections of Guatemalan requests and negative media coverage of Guatemala in the U.S. The Secretary assured him these issues would be looked into further. Regarding communist influence in Guatemala, the Ambassador stated the government opposes communism and is taking a reform approach rather than suppression to address the conditions that allow communism to spread. The Secretary agreed to a further meeting with the Ambassador and U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala to openly discuss what more the Guatemalan government could do.
The document summarizes the results of an annual survey of American Jewish opinion conducted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC). Key findings include:
1) American Jews are generally pessimistic about developments in the Middle East like the Arab Spring, Iran's nuclear program, and Arab intentions regarding Israel.
2) Half of American Jews favor establishing a Palestinian state but most believe the long-term Arab goal is the destruction of Israel.
3) The vast majority of American Jews remain very concerned about Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, though support for potential military action has declined.
4) Caring about Israel remains an important part of Jewish identity for most American Jews, though opinions vary by denomination and age.
This document summarizes programs and activities of the United States Information Agency (USIA) from January to June 1954. It discusses USIA operations in various regions including Western Europe, the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, China, the Near East and Africa, the Far East, and the Americas. The USIA worked to promote themes of uniting the free world against communism and exposing "Red Colonialism." It also carried out information programs, cultural exchanges, publications and exhibits to influence audiences and address issues in these regions. The summary outlines some key programs and shifts in resources to address changing events and priorities.
Sino-US Relations in the 21st Century: Is a Sino-US War Possible?Bright Mhango
This paper grapples with this question and concludes that war between the two can break out even tonight if certain conditions are met. However, for now, with China’s military not advanced enough, any war would have to be started by the US. And it so happens that the US actually has enough motives to engage China before it fully modernizes but cannot just do so from the blue. The US is thus trying to force China to give it the reason to justify a war to its increasingly war skeptical allies and domestic publics.
The reasons why the two cannot fight for now range from interdependence, the fact that Taiwan has not declared independence yet and the fact that Sino-Japan relations do not boil beyond the Yasukuni rhetoric. It is also due to the fact that China is powerless and relies on the US for many things such as access to lucrative markets and technology. The characters and personalities of the leaders of the two countries are also partly the reason there is not enough bad-blood to sound the war cry yet.
The document is a telegram from the United States Information Agency to various posts providing guidance on how to seize the psychological offensive and promote the actions of the Organization of American States in response to developments in Guatemala, emphasizing that the OAS actions uphold the charter and counter Soviet tactics aimed at weakening international organizations. It urges highlighting that the letter signed by ten OAS members recognizes the problem of communist penetration and that the Soviet veto revealed its manipulation of Guatemalan affairs.
Ambassador Peurifoy met with US officials to discuss the deteriorating political situation in Guatemala. He reported that the Guatemalan government was becoming increasingly communist and authoritarian. Peurifoy believed economic sanctions would not stop the government's movement towards communism and that a coup may be necessary. He saw opportunities to exploit anti-government sentiment among students and others influenced by the Archbishop's recent letter. Peurifoy recommended sabotage operations and propaganda campaigns to further pressure the government and build support for removing it.
Media Coverage of Israel-Palestine ConflictHadiaNaeem3
The document discusses media coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict from different perspectives. US and British media coverage favors Israel by giving more voice to Israeli narratives and portraying Palestinians negatively. Arab media highlights the Palestinian perspective and frames Palestinians as victims. Pakistani media supports the Palestinian cause but also a two-state solution. The analysis finds that each country's media narrates the perspective of its allied side more strongly and understates the other due to political ideology and alliances influencing reporting. The document suggests media needs to be fair and unbiased for the conflict to be resolved.
The document is a call to action against "the banksters" who control the privately-owned Federal Reserve system. It argues that the Federal Reserve and largest banks have orchestrated events like the financial crisis and Great Recession to consolidate power and wealth for themselves at the expense of the American people. It claims they have deliberately engineered crises to infiltrate the government and seize control over the country through mechanisms like creating money from nothing and charging interest on loans to the government.
Alfred m. lilienthal zionism & american jews - journal of historical review...RareBooksnRecords
The document discusses how Zionism has come to dominate the American Jewish community through organizations like the Zionist Organization of America and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee lobbying and exerting strong influence over politicians by delivering bloc votes and campaign donations from Jewish communities concentrated in swing states. It argues that Zionist leaders have deceived American Jews into supporting Israel and confusing humanitarianism with nationalist goals.
Du bow digest germany edition nov. 23, 2010dubowdigest
This document is a newsletter providing updates on various topics related to Judaism and Jewish communities in Germany and elsewhere. It discusses the upcoming holidays of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah in the US. It summarizes a fraud scheme involving millions of dollars embezzled from a Holocaust compensation fund in Germany. It also covers topics like the Israeli-Palestinian peace process, Germany's relationship with Iran, challenges facing American Jewish organizations, and the publishing of the first Jewish children's book in Germany.
The document analyzes proposals for world government and argues they constitute treason against the United States. It claims the ultimate goals of prominent world government organizations like United World Federalists would reduce the American standard of living, curtail liberties, destroy free institutions, scrap the Constitution, abolish the military, and give away the Panama Canal. While many supporters have good intentions, the movement is actually controlled by socialists, communist sympathizers, and "One World Firsters" plotting to destroy the American way of life and create a global socialist superstate. Evidence suggests world government is being promoted to establish socialism in the U.S. Critics are dismissed while the movement's leadership hides its true aims behind patriotic rhetoric.
Du Bow Digest American Edition dec. 12, 2012dubowdigest
The document provides summaries of several news stories related to German-Jewish and German-Israeli relations. It discusses:
1) Angela Merkel's speech reaffirming her commitment to Israel's security and Jewish life in Germany.
2) Germany's abstention in the UN vote on Palestinian statehood, which disappointed Israel but which Germany viewed as supporting a two-state solution.
3) The annual meeting between the Israeli and German cabinets in Berlin, where Merkel and Netanyahu pledged continued friendship despite disagreements over settlements.
4) Germany's efforts to document remnants of German-Jewish culture worldwide through a public broadcaster project.
This document provides an overview of lecture material on modern world governments and political science. It covers several topics discussed in the lectures, including state interdependence, the impact of foreign policy on domestic politics, European integration, reasons some countries do not embrace democracy, Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points and the establishment of the United Nations. The document outlines key concepts and ideas within each of these topics over multiple pages in bullet point format.
Du bow digest germany edition march 6, 2013dubowdigest
The document summarizes recent political developments in Israel following its national election. The main points are:
1) Prime Minister Netanyahu is working to form a governing coalition but has faced challenges from new parties opposed to including ultra-Orthodox parties.
2) The emerging coalition will likely be more liberal on domestic issues but maintain the status quo on peace negotiations with Palestinians.
3) While Germany remains committed to acknowledging the Holocaust, public opinion has turned against Israel and anti-Semitism seems to be becoming more socially acceptable, according to some analysts.
Political Science 7 – International Relations - Power Point #11John Paul Tabakian
This document provides an overview of key topics covered in Dr. Tabakian's Political Science 7 course on modern world governments. Some of the main topics discussed include: state interdependence and how domestic politics can be impacted by foreign policy; the development of international organizations and European integration; reasons why some countries do not embrace democracy; the evolution of Wilson's 14 Points into the United Nations; how military institutions have remained strong post-Cold War; the rise of human rights as a component of foreign policy; different types of conventional and unconventional forces; evolving military technologies including terrorism; weapons of mass destruction like nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons; and the geopolitical challenges of proliferation.
1. This document outlines principles for coordinating "gray activities", which are defined as unattributed information activities that could potentially be acknowledged by the US government if necessary.
2. It establishes that the State Department, US Information Agency (USIA), and a designee of the Operations Coordinating Board (OCB) share responsibility for gray activities. Field coordination is required to determine which agency will take responsibility for a given activity.
3. It provides criteria for determining responsibility, including whether disclosure of the source could embarrass the US or damage the outlet. If disclosure poses these risks, responsibility falls solely to the OCB designee.
President Bush's July 2007 speech calling for a Palestinian state and dividing Jerusalem marked a turning point that negatively impacted US-Israel relations and the US economy. The economic turmoil that began with stock market declines the week after the speech can be traced back to Bush dividing God's covenant land. Some religious figures linked Hurricane Katrina, which hit the US a week after Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 due to US pressure, as divine punishment for the US role in the Gaza withdrawal and pressuring Israel.
President-elect Donald J. Trump will enter the White House having promised to radically alter United States foreign policy, with ramifications for Americans and the world.
But it’s not yet clear how. Mr. Trump offered vague and sometimes contradictory proposals during his campaign, with few of the typical details or white papers. Voters, foreign policy professionals and the country’s allies are all, to a real extent, left guessing.
Here, then, is a rundown of what we know about Mr. Trump’s foreign policy ideas and what some experts say about their feasibility and likely ramifications.
Greece-EU relations: hypocrisy in all its greatnessTakis Karagiannis
“Hypocrisy, Anti-Hypocrisy and International Order” project addresses the problem of the West’s policy of double standards and the criticism of the West’s own hypocrisy as an ideological basis for attacking the liberal order created by the West. It aims to formulate policy proposals for how Western governments should act and speak in a situation where the relative decline of Western powers will make it increasingly difficult for governments to practice idealistic politics; while, at the same time, non-Western policy actors work to delegitimize the current liberal order and to justify their own revisionism by escalating accusations about the hypocrisy of the West.
The War Council meeting discussed establishing a new organization for psychological warfare operations during peacetime to be run by an Assistant Secretary of State. It was agreed this would involve both white propaganda openly attributed to the US and black propaganda without attribution. The Director of Central Intelligence and a military representative would advise the Assistant Secretary of State. The Security Council would need to give the DCI legal authority to assist the State Department. However, there was confusion after the meeting about whether a new director would be appointed or an existing Assistant Secretary of State would take on the new responsibilities.
The Guatemalan Ambassador met with the Secretary of State to discuss improving relations between Guatemala and the United States. The Ambassador expressed concern over recent rejections of Guatemalan requests and negative media coverage of Guatemala in the U.S. The Secretary assured him these issues would be looked into further. Regarding communist influence in Guatemala, the Ambassador stated the government opposes communism and is taking a reform approach rather than suppression to address the conditions that allow communism to spread. The Secretary agreed to a further meeting with the Ambassador and U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala to openly discuss what more the Guatemalan government could do.
The document summarizes the results of an annual survey of American Jewish opinion conducted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC). Key findings include:
1) American Jews are generally pessimistic about developments in the Middle East like the Arab Spring, Iran's nuclear program, and Arab intentions regarding Israel.
2) Half of American Jews favor establishing a Palestinian state but most believe the long-term Arab goal is the destruction of Israel.
3) The vast majority of American Jews remain very concerned about Iran obtaining nuclear weapons, though support for potential military action has declined.
4) Caring about Israel remains an important part of Jewish identity for most American Jews, though opinions vary by denomination and age.
This document summarizes programs and activities of the United States Information Agency (USIA) from January to June 1954. It discusses USIA operations in various regions including Western Europe, the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, China, the Near East and Africa, the Far East, and the Americas. The USIA worked to promote themes of uniting the free world against communism and exposing "Red Colonialism." It also carried out information programs, cultural exchanges, publications and exhibits to influence audiences and address issues in these regions. The summary outlines some key programs and shifts in resources to address changing events and priorities.
Sino-US Relations in the 21st Century: Is a Sino-US War Possible?Bright Mhango
This paper grapples with this question and concludes that war between the two can break out even tonight if certain conditions are met. However, for now, with China’s military not advanced enough, any war would have to be started by the US. And it so happens that the US actually has enough motives to engage China before it fully modernizes but cannot just do so from the blue. The US is thus trying to force China to give it the reason to justify a war to its increasingly war skeptical allies and domestic publics.
The reasons why the two cannot fight for now range from interdependence, the fact that Taiwan has not declared independence yet and the fact that Sino-Japan relations do not boil beyond the Yasukuni rhetoric. It is also due to the fact that China is powerless and relies on the US for many things such as access to lucrative markets and technology. The characters and personalities of the leaders of the two countries are also partly the reason there is not enough bad-blood to sound the war cry yet.
The document is a telegram from the United States Information Agency to various posts providing guidance on how to seize the psychological offensive and promote the actions of the Organization of American States in response to developments in Guatemala, emphasizing that the OAS actions uphold the charter and counter Soviet tactics aimed at weakening international organizations. It urges highlighting that the letter signed by ten OAS members recognizes the problem of communist penetration and that the Soviet veto revealed its manipulation of Guatemalan affairs.
Ambassador Peurifoy met with US officials to discuss the deteriorating political situation in Guatemala. He reported that the Guatemalan government was becoming increasingly communist and authoritarian. Peurifoy believed economic sanctions would not stop the government's movement towards communism and that a coup may be necessary. He saw opportunities to exploit anti-government sentiment among students and others influenced by the Archbishop's recent letter. Peurifoy recommended sabotage operations and propaganda campaigns to further pressure the government and build support for removing it.
Media Coverage of Israel-Palestine ConflictHadiaNaeem3
The document discusses media coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict from different perspectives. US and British media coverage favors Israel by giving more voice to Israeli narratives and portraying Palestinians negatively. Arab media highlights the Palestinian perspective and frames Palestinians as victims. Pakistani media supports the Palestinian cause but also a two-state solution. The analysis finds that each country's media narrates the perspective of its allied side more strongly and understates the other due to political ideology and alliances influencing reporting. The document suggests media needs to be fair and unbiased for the conflict to be resolved.
The document is a call to action against "the banksters" who control the privately-owned Federal Reserve system. It argues that the Federal Reserve and largest banks have orchestrated events like the financial crisis and Great Recession to consolidate power and wealth for themselves at the expense of the American people. It claims they have deliberately engineered crises to infiltrate the government and seize control over the country through mechanisms like creating money from nothing and charging interest on loans to the government.
This document is a property of Microsoft Corporation.
Microsoft is defining a connected and forward-looking enterprise, the successful enterprise of the future.
Du bow digest germany edition july 11, 2013dubowdigest
This document summarizes recent news and events related to Germany, Israel, Egypt, and the American Jewish community. It discusses the tensions between Germany and the US over spying allegations, the unstable political situation in Egypt and its implications for Israel's security, the ordination of the first female "Maharats" in the Orthodox Jewish community in the US, and Pope Francis' condemnation of anti-Semitism during his first meeting with Jewish leaders at the Vatican.
DuBow Digest Germany Edition August 12, 2013dubowdigest
The document provides a summary of articles in the Germany edition of a newsletter. It discusses ongoing negotiations in the Middle East peace process and implications of the recent release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. It also touches on the state of European Jewry and forecasts a potentially dire situation, with a French Jewish leader arguing that despite current health and security, disaster may be looming just over the horizon for European Jewry.
Du bow digest germany edition february 20, 2011dubowdigest
The document provides an overview of recent events in the Middle East and discussions on related topics among American Jews. It discusses the unrest in the Arab world, Germany's vote in support of a UN resolution on Israeli settlements, concerns about the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, the priorities of American Jewish advocacy organizations regarding Israel and the Middle East, and perspectives on why American public support for Israel remains high.
Du bow digest germany edition may 7, 2011dubowdigest
The document summarizes the views of two American Jewish organizations on the recent unity agreement between Fatah and Hamas. It outlines the writer's skepticism that the agreement will help peace talks or lead to a two-state solution given Hamas' stated goal of destroying Israel. It then provides an opposing view from the organization J-Street, which believes reconciliation could reduce obstacles to peace and supports engagement to explore opportunities for a two-state solution.
Du bow digest germany edition september 27, 2011dubowdigest
The document summarizes the recent UN General Assembly meeting regarding Israel and Palestine. It discusses that while Palestine gained some recognition, the US vetoed their bid for Security Council membership, relieving Israeli and Jewish concerns. It analyzes the core issues in the conflict being Israeli security and recognition as a Jewish state versus Palestinian claims to holy lands. Overall, the situation remains unchanged with negotiations still needed.
Pa Elections - Choosing Murder Over DialogueSpeedy Media
1) The document summarizes reactions from world leaders to Hamas' victory in the Palestinian elections, with most expressing concern that Hamas is a terrorist organization that has not renounced violence or recognized Israel.
2) World leaders state that Hamas must choose between violence and democracy, and that they will not cooperate with any Palestinian government that includes or is led by Hamas unless it renounces violence and recognizes Israel.
3) The document argues that if Palestinians wanted peace, they would not have voted for Hamas and instead could have supported the secular, non-violent alternative party that received only 2% of the vote.
Du bow digestgermany edition jan. 10, 2011dubowdigest
The document discusses several topics:
1) A book review about Israel facing a permanent "cold war" with its Islamist enemies like Hamas and Hezbollah, calling into question whether Israeli concessions will make a difference.
2) Criticism of the UN Human Rights Council for appointing an openly biased professor to implement the biased Goldstone Report on Gaza.
3) Plans by anti-Israel groups to hold another "Durban conference" to delegitimize Israel, and countries boycotting the event.
4) An opinion piece arguing that Israel should admit peace is currently unobtainable and stop pretending the Palestinians are willing partners.
The document is a newsletter from an American-Jewish organization providing news and commentary on political issues. It discusses recent polls showing strong support for Israel among Americans and American Jews continuing to support Democrats. It also covers upcoming Palestinian efforts to upgrade their UN status, issues surrounding Jewish marriage in Israel, and an article by a Saudi writer arguing that the real enemies of the Arab world are internal problems rather than Israel.
Du bow digest germany edition june 27, 2012dubowdigest
The document discusses challenges facing smaller Jewish congregations in the US and Germany due to changing demographics and economics. To address this, umbrella organizations for Conservative and Reform Judaism are providing more support for smaller congregations, such as a conference on strategies to engage members. One synagogue found success blending Hebrew school and Shabbat services to increase participation from 50 to 90 members. Support from national groups recognizes that around 40% of their congregations have fewer than 250 members.
Du Bow digestamerican edition july 29, 2011dubowdigest
This document summarizes several news stories from Germany:
1) Germany is facing pressure over its stance on Palestinian statehood at the UN in September. Chancellor Merkel opposes unilateral statehood but European unity is important. Germany's position will influence isolation of Israel.
2) A project is returning books taken by German Jews fleeing Nazi Germany to Germany to teach students history. The personal histories in the books help students understand the human costs of Nazi era.
3) Despite low poll numbers, Chancellor Merkel has announced she will run for re-election in 2013 and challenges opponents to find strong candidates against her.
4) The FDP, junior coalition partner of Merkel's CDU, faces declining support which
This document is a newsletter providing information on upcoming Jewish holidays and discussing the latest Israel-Palestinian peace talks scheduled to take place in Washington D.C. It expresses skepticism that the talks will result in any agreement, as the two sides remain far apart on key issues. While the talks moving to a direct format is presented as positive in theory, the document cites analysts who believe indirect talks may be more promising. It provides analysis from multiple sources on the challenges facing the talks and doubts any comprehensive deal can be reached within a year as hoped by the Obama administration.
The document provides updates on several news stories related to Germany, Israel, and American Jews:
1) It discusses the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, with Germany placing blame on Hamas for the violence.
2) It summarizes the results of the recent US election, noting that American Jews continued to support Democrats but by a slightly smaller margin than in 2008.
3) It pays tribute to Larry Ramer, the founder of AJC Berlin’s institute, who recently passed away, recognizing his important work in German-Jewish relations.
4) It analyzes the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) movement against Israel, arguing that efforts to deleg
The document summarizes a book that examines the relationship between the US and Israel and debunks myths about their alliance. It argues that US support for Israel is based on shared values and interests between the societies, not on the influence of Jewish lobbies. While governments act based on national interests, broader public and congressional support in the US is guided by beliefs that Israel's existence fulfills biblical prophecy. The book is presented as providing useful context for policymakers in the US, Israel, and other nations like India on developing cooperative relationships.
Du bow digest germany edition april 16, 2011dubowdigest
This document provides a summary of the key issues discussed in the newsletter, including:
1) It discusses the differences between anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism, quoting a US State Department official who outlines when criticism of Israel can cross the line into anti-Semitism.
2) It covers the potential Palestinian bid for statehood at the UN in September, noting the US position that statehood should only be achieved through negotiations rather than unilateral declarations.
3) It discusses comments from Obama's Middle East advisor who reiterates US support for Israel's security and continuing pressure on Iran over its nuclear program.
1. The Director of the UN's New York Office for Human Rights is resigning in protest over the UN's failure to stop the ongoing genocide of Palestinians and hold Israel accountable for human rights violations.
2. He argues that Israel's treatment of Palestinians constitutes genocide and apartheid, and that key UN members like the US are complicit by supporting Israel militarily, economically, and diplomatically.
3. In his resignation letter, he calls on the UN to take a principled stance in support of Palestinian human rights based on international law, including supporting a single democratic state for Palestinians and Israelis with equal rights.
Du bow digest germany edition april 12, 2012dubowdigest
This document is a newsletter discussing various topics related to Israel and German-Jewish relations. It begins by wishing readers a happy holiday season and then discusses the following topics:
1) The controversy over a poem by Gunter Grass that was criticized for unfairly blaming Israel. Many Jewish organizations condemned the poem.
2) A study finding that donations from American Jews to Israeli non-profits have doubled over the past 12 years, disproving the idea that donations have declined. The strong familial bond between American Jews and Israel is discussed.
3) Israel's decision to sever relations with the UN Human Rights Council, which the author agrees with.
4) The level of international hostility directed towards
The document is a newsletter providing updates on recent events in the American Jewish community and broader world. It discusses debates around changing the name of the Conservative Jewish movement, reclassifying swastikas by the Anti-Defamation League, arguments for and against linking the Israel-Palestinian conflict to other issues, factors contributing to the demise of the American Jewish Congress organization, and perspectives on the Palestinian refugee situation from other Arab countries.
This document discusses several news articles related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the war in Gaza. It begins with an introduction noting the difficult political climate and the author's sympathies for both Israelis and Palestinians. It then summarizes an article by the author arguing that the Palestinians could learn from Germany's post-WWII decision to pursue peace and economic development instead of further violence. Another article is discussed that argues there is a double standard in criticism of Israel compared to other countries. The author agrees with this perspective. Finally, polling data is presented showing majority support for Israel in the U.S., particularly among Republicans, but less clear opinions among other groups.
Study Guide for SpousonomicsIntroThe two types of work the.docxpicklesvalery
Study Guide for Spousonomics
Intro
The two types of work the author say apply to relationships: Administrative work, Emotional work
Chapter 1
Adam Smith and The Wealth of Nations and Specialization and Division of Labor
David Ricardo and Comparative Advantage
Keeping score
Consumption complimentaries
Market failure
Pareto Efficiency
Incentive Compatibility
Chapter 2
Loss Aversion
Compounding losses
Endowment Effect
Status Quo Bias
Passive Decision Making
Limerence
Chapter 3
Supply and Demand
Market noise
Opaque Markets
Transparency
Rational Addiction
Coordination Failure
Signaling
Chapter 4
Moral Hazard
Getting Invested
Perverse Incentive
Chapter 5
Pro-social motivation
Nagging verses Trusting
Tit for Tat
Chapter 6
Opportunity costs
Decision making biases
Thinking at the Margin
Sunk Costs
Inequity Aversion
The Israeli – Palestinian Conflict
By Kyle Wilson
Beginnings:
Let it be said first off that this conflict has traces that go back to biblical times and that there is no way to cover the entirety or the complexity of the conflict.
To vaguely give background, the modern beginnings of what we know as the Israeli-palestenian conflict today, we’ll start with the Ottoman Empire in the late 19th century when they ruled over palestine. During this era jew and christians and muslims lived side by side without many issues.
During this time the Austro-Hungarian empire was coming apart at the seams with ten different nations wanting their own separate states.
This all was fueled by the golden age of nationalism and social Darwinism and it would lead to extreme palestinian nationalism as well as Zionism – Jewish nationalism and desire for each groups to have their own homelands.
Beginnings Continued
WWI saw lots of conflict in the mid east and when the conflict concluded the British empire took control of Palestine with the
1918- Britain gains control of Palestine from the ashes of the Ottoman empire under the British Mandate of Palestine.
From 1918-1948 the British govern over the Jews and Muslims living in this area.
1927-First Intercommunal acts of violence when British give land east of Jordan River (Now known as Jordan) to Emir Abdullah to create Hashemite Kingdom. Violence erupts on Tel-Aviv border on May-Day leaving scores of Jews and Muslims dead. Second eruption of violence occurs in 1929.
1936- Violence and riots erupt when British kill Sheikh Izz Al-Den Al Qassam, arabs revolt. Rioting lasts until 1939 when British ban most land sales to Jews.
The Modern Conflict
1947- General UN Assembly recommends partition of British Mandate into two separate states; one for Jews and one for Arabs. Fighting Breaks out soon after.
1948- Israeli War of Independence takes place as British Troops leave Palestine. All surrounding Arab Armies attempt to drive the Israelites into the Mediterranean but they are able to fend off the Arab armies. Meanwhile Jordan takes control over the West B ...
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1. GERMANY EDITION
JUNE 30, 2011
Dear Friends:
There is deep concern in the American Jewish community about both the upcoming
Gaza flotilla due to leave this week and the implications of the planned Palestinian
unilateral declaration of statehood. Neither will succeed to the degree that the
people behind them hope for. Some feel that Israel will suffer diplomatically but I
think that will pale when contrasted to the real disaster that awaits the Palestinian
people in the West Bank and Gaza. Both items are addressed below.
Summer has arrived in New York with sun, warmth and, perhaps, a little bit too much
humidity. New York State has just approved same-sex marriage – another great step
toward equality. The more conservative elements in the Jewish community were
opposed. We are a disputatious people.
Our national politicians are battling over fiscal responsibility and the national debt. I
guess there is some chance that the U.S. might default if the national debt limit is not
increased. You may find us on line behind the Greeks looking for a bailout.
(Editor’s Personal Note: My colleague, Lena Altman, a native German, who has
worked for AJC in New York for 8 years, is returning to Berlin to be part of Deidre
Berger’s AJC staff there. She, her husband and small child are looking for a 4 room
apartment to rent. Does anybody out there know of a vacancy? If so, please write to
Lena directly at altmanl@ajc.org . Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!)
Let’s get on with the news…
IN THIS EDITION
GAZA FLOTILLA No. 2 – Does disaster await? For whom?
UNILATERAL DECLARATION OF STATEHOOD – The real question is, “Who
loses?”
JERUSALEM – What about the people who live there?
WESTERWELLE & NIEBEL – The German stance on statehood.
DEMOCRACRY & SECURITY – A different (and interesting) way to look at the way
Jews see these issues.
JEWS & THE TEA PARTY – Is conservatism becoming appealing?
1
2. ISOLATIONISM – Is it growing in the Republican Party?
WHAT DO ISRAELI JEWS THINK? – An interesting poll.
GAZA FLOTILLA No. 2
It appears that in spite of it being warned against by the U.S., the UN Secy. General,
Turkey and Greece, the organizers of the Gaza Flotilla No. 2 are determined to go
ahead with their attempt to reach Gaza. (Y-Net News) Even “Germany’s Left Party
(Ed. Note: Not known for being pro-Israel) passed a resolution earlier this month
barring the party’s parliamentary representatives and employees from participating
in the upcoming flotilla to break Israel’s naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, which
remains under the control of the terrorist organization Hamas.”
Since Israel has liberalized what is allowed to reach Gaza through its own borders
and that of Egypt (also there are many illegal tunnels) there is no medical or food
“emergency”. So, one must conclude (with even a scintilla of objectivity) that the
purpose of the mission is purely political and has nothing to do with relief.
If, indeed, that is the case, on whose behalf is this confrontation being carried out?
The citizens of Gaza are not without political leadership. The “government” of
Hamas rules and, therefore, it seems to me that the ultimate goal of the flotilla is to
support what is considered by both the U.S. and the EU as a terrorist organization.
Is this what the “do-gooders” making the voyage want to do? Are they being
deceived by Hamas propaganda? They will not be the first group of (perhaps) well
meaning people to fall for a false political line. Many in Europe during the rise of
communism became communists themselves thinking that they were joining a noble
cause. It didn’t turn out to be so noble and what Hamas preaches, quite frankly, is
even more toxic.
I am sure that not all the flotilla participants are those only dedicated to good deeds.
I have a strong suspicion that many harbor anti-Semitic feelings to go along with
their outward manifestations of anti-Israelism. To my way of thinking it’s O.K. to be
opposed to the Israeli policy as long as one checks with his/her own conscience.
However, to be supportive of a terrorist organization that in its charter dedicates
itself to the destruction of Israel goes beyond the bounds of acceptance.
To read about Gaza’s current state of being click here
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/world/middleeast/26gaza.html?_r=1&hp
David Harris, AJC’s Executive Director has written about this matter. Click here to
read it. http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?
c=ijITI2PHKoG&b=6178309&ct=10882177¬oc=1
2
3. Maybe common sense will prevail and the flotilla will be cancelled. However, zealots
are not normally sensible so I imagine it will sail and be confronted. Let’s hope no
one gets hurt.
UNILATERAL DECLARATION OF STATEHOOD
Unless there is some dramatic change wherein the Palestinians and the Israelis can
find their way back to the bargaining table, the Palestinians are going to go to the
UN General Assembly for a unilateral declaration of statehood in September. It will
pass in the GA but since UN official statehood requires Security Council approval
they will not become a fully recognized nation. This scenario is based on the
expectation that Fatah and Hamas can stick to their unifying agreement which is not
a given at this moment. If they can’t, all bets are off and the outcome is anyone’s
guess.
Let’s assume that they will be able to somehow stay with their agreement.
I am not a fortune teller or a prognosticator but I have been trying to think through
what will happen next. Certainly, Israel will declare the “peace process” null and void
and that will put the possibility of any further negotiations off the table for a very long
time to come.
Daniel Schwammenthal wrote in The Wall Street Journal, “Israel isn't going to simply
pack up and accept a one-sided imposition of borders or principles that ignore the
country's legitimate security concerns. The Palestinians will gain real sovereignty
only through peace talks with Israel where both sides will have to make painful
compromises.
And that is the fatal flaw inherent in the U.N. vote: Any parameters and borders
endorsed in September, however vague, would automatically become non-
negotiable positions for the Palestinians. No Palestinian Authority leader could ever
afford to be "less Palestinian" than the U.N. So if some EU members insist on
backing a U.N. vote, they'll only help make a temporary stalemate permanent.
What about the Oslo Agreements? (Schwammenthal again) Any such violation of
past agreements could easily turn bloody. Palestinians who are led to believe that a
U.N. vote will bring about immediate independence will be terribly disappointed in
September. Similar instances of disappointment in the past have often reignited
violence, and not only in the region itself. Over the past several years, trouble in the
Middle East has routinely fueled attacks on Jewish communities in Europe. EU
leaders need to be careful not to inadvertently fan the flames of a conflict that might
play itself out in their own streets. “
You don’t have to be a fortune teller to figure out that a unilateral declaration will not
benefit the Palestinian people. After a veto in the Security Council, Pres. Obama will
3
4. be under tremendous pressure to cut off all funding for the Palestinian Authority.
Other sources may also dry up especially if violence breaks out. The two pieces of
the Palestinian territory are totally dependant on outside funding. There is barely any
industry or marketable exports. What little there is will dwindle further. I believe the
living standard will severely drop and the Palestinian people will be the real losers.
Let’s hope that negotiations can back on track. No one needs more in the way of
disasters and I fear that may be the order of the day with a unilateral declaration.
JERUSALEM
In the Arab – Israeli dispute one of the main issues that always comes up and has to
be decided is the fate of Jerusalem. Will it remain all Israeli? Will it be split into dual
Israeli and Palestinian capitals, etc. etc. etc.
Rarely does anyone actually talk about the people who live there, what their lives
look like and what their current status is. Whatever the political situation dictates it is
their well being that be affected most directly.
Rabbi Ed Rettig, AJC’s Acting Israel Director has addressed that in a recent article
entitled “Jerusalem Prognosis”. In it he notes, “…in our passionate discussion of the
cause of Jerusalem we tend to lose sight of the people who live there. As we ponder
the city’s political future we do well to consider the Jerusalemites, those most
directly engaged in that future. Jerusalem is home to about three quarters of a
million people, most with large families, low incomes, and, unless things change
drastically, relatively poor economic prospects.
The invaluable Jerusalem Institute for Israel Studies (JIIS) released its 2011
Statistical Yearbook of Jerusalem providing facts and figures. While the raw
statistics are two years old (the usual delay in scholarly JIIS analytic studies), they
illuminate long-term trends. The city is home to 773,000 people, three times the
1967 population of 266,300. Its ethnic makeup has shifted somewhat. In 1967 the
city was about one quarter Arab, while in 2009 Arabs constituted over a third of the
population. On the Jewish side, the growth in population has been overwhelmingly
Haredi (ultra-Orthodox). In 2009 Haredim made up 29% of the population while
those self-defined as “secular” were down to about 20%. As 62% of Jewish children
in Jerusalem study in Haredi schools, this trend on the Jewish side is likely to
continue.
Jerusalemites have many children. The birthrate for both Muslim Arabs (3.9 births
per woman) and Jews (4.1 births per woman) is much higher than in the rest of the
country, although the Muslim Arab birthrate is slowly coming down. (Christian Arabs,
who account for only a small portion of the population of the city have a very low
birthrate.)
Politically, the much proclaimed “unity” of the city is a fiction for one major structural
4
5. reason. Over the years, the Palestinians have boycotted Jerusalem’s municipal
elections as a way of demonstrating their long-term non-acquiescence in the
unification of the city. But this comes at the high price of shortchanging themselves
in the allocation of resources.
Municipal politicians work in much the same way all over the world, seeking to
further the interests of constituencies that elect them. Their successes (and
reelection chances) are often a function of how aggressively they pursue those
interests, often at the expense of broader policy issues. Critics of Israel charge it
with discriminatory policies against Arab neighborhoods in Jerusalem, but the real
reason those neighborhoods get fewer resources lies elsewhere. Palestinians do not
sit on the Municipal Council as a result of their election boycott, and thus have no
representatives at the table when the political game is played and resources
allocated. An example of the opposite strategy can be seen in the Haredi
communities, which participate in elections and whose representatives are skilled at
the art of leveraging that participation and receiving municipal resources far in
excess of what their community produces in tax revenues.
There’s more. Click here to read it. http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?
c=ijITI2PHKoG&b=2818289&ct=10875921¬oc=1
After reading Ed’s article I felt a deep sense that in talking about political situations
from afar we do not sufficiently take into account those that have to have to bear the
burden of war and disruption. For instance, I feel sorry for the poor Syrian people
who have had to give up their homes and have had to face the death of loved ones
for no reason other than they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time;
Let’s hope it doesn’t happen in Jerusalem.
WESTERWELLE & NIEBEL
Foreign Minister Westerwelle, while visiting in Jerusalem came out strongly against
the move in the UN that the Palestinians are planning for a unilateral declaration of
statehood.
On June 13 D-W World.de reported, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle
and Development Minister Dirk Niebel are visiting Israel and the Palestinian
territories on Monday and Tuesday, where they will try to convince Palestinians to
drop their plan to gain UN recognition for an independent state outside the
framework of the stalled peace process.
"We must convince the Palestinians that a unilateral declaration of independence is
the wrong way to go," Niebel said in an interview with the news magazine Der
Spiegel.
5
6. Niebel said he would advise the Palestinians to present instead a resolution calling
for a two-state solution based on the border before the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, as
proposed by US President Barack Obama.
"We believe that any standstill in the Middle East peace process at the present time
represents a setback, given the changes in the Arab world," Foreign Minister
Westerwelle's spokesman Andreas Peschke said in Berlin.
France and other European countries have indicated that they would recognize a
Palestinian state while German Chancellor Angela Merkel says Palestinian
independence must be negotiated within the framework of talks with Israel.
The most interesting part of the story is not the position that Westerwelle has taken.
It is consistent with the Chancellor’s position and, I guess, is in lockstep with the
Coalition’s agreed upon position. The more interesting point is the suggestion that a
non-State resolution be introduced. Of course, the 1967 border proposal is a non-
starter as far as Israel is concerned but the idea of a substitute resolution seems (at
least to me) novel. A substitute could be some sort of a face saver for Abbas and
allow him to get back to negotiations instead of going down a road that would kill off
negotiations for a long time to come. Germany’s diplomatic touch may have some
chance of success. However, if it puts blame on Israel it will lead to another blind
alley and a likely end to negotiations.
DEMOCRACRY & SECURITY
In most issues of DuBow Digest I try to point out where American Jews stand on the
important matters that confront them. Of course, there is a wide spectrum of opinion
on almost all issues and I find it hard sometimes to identify the major underlying
motivating forces that individual Jews have particularly on those issues surrounding
Israel’s security and its future.
In a recent The Jerusalem Post article by Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie, the President of the
Union for Reform Judaism Rabbi Yoffie said, “When it comes to the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict, we generally divide Jews into hawks and doves or right-wingers
and left-wingers. But a more accurate division might be “security Jews” vs.
“democracy Jews.”
“Security Jews” are those whose greatest concern is Israel’s vulnerability to military
attack. They emphasize Israel’s fragility as a small state in a bad
neighborhood. They call for defensible borders, and for strategic depth that did not
exist prior to 1967. They talk of a military presence along the Jordan River that will
enable Israel to repel a possible invasion from current or future enemies.
“Democracy Jews” are those whose focus is on retaining Israel’s character as a
Jewish and democratic state. They worry about Israeli control of Palestinians in the
6
7. territories. They insist that “Jewish and democratic” cannot be a cliché or an empty
slogan, but must mean a state that has a secure Jewish majority and is democratic
in the commonly accepted meaning of that term. They focus less on the specifics of
what a peace arrangement might look like and more on the political outcomes that
such an arrangement must assure.
Most “security Jews,” of course, voice support for a democratic State of Israel and
most “democracy Jews” voice support for a militarily secure State of Israel. But in
both their internal thought processes and public advocacy, each group is primarily
focused on the value that they see as most important at this moment.
There is more to the article and you will have to click on the following link to see
where Rabbi Yoffie himself comes out on the issue. Click here.
http://blogs.jpost.com/content/security-jews-vs-democracy-jews
I believe that the template that Rabbi Yoffie provides us with is, in many ways more
important than his own position which, indeed, you might find interesting. It is a great
help in understanding the two issues that most Jews grapple with when thinking
about the future of the Jewish State.
There are, of course, people on the extremes of each position but they are not
extremists. They are only convinced that one position is better than the one at the
opposite end of the spectrum. I believe that most Jews (in the U.S. and elsewhere)
find themselves somewhere further toward the middle and the numbers slide
depending on the situation of the day. There is no question that with the Palestinian
attempts to delegitimize Israel and move away from direct negotiations have moved
the current slide toward security.
JEWS & THE TEA PARTY
The Tea Party, which represents some of the most extreme right wing elements in
the Republican Party, does not seem to be the kind of political home for American
Jews, who have been, by and large liberal and closely connected to the Democratic
Party.
However, the Jewish daily Forward reported, “…one researcher thinks the
community is warming up to the movement.
“Historically, we’ve seen the community as being liberal, but now a counter voice is
emerging,” said Steven Windmueller of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute
of Religion.
A recent Internet survey of Jews, conducted by Windmueller, found that about 42%
thought the Tea Party movement was “refreshing” versus an equal percentage that
7
8. found it “alarming.” More support for the Tea Party idea came from Republicans,
Orthodox Jews and males, and less from Democrats, Reform Jews and females.
Even Windmueller cautioned that his study “does not permit one to make any
defining conclusions.” Among other things, its 2,300 or so participants were
recruited via publicity on the websites of Jewish newspapers and Jewish
organizations — an outreach method bound to exclude the large percentage of
Jews who are relatively less affiliated. The replies that respondents gave to various
questions in the poll indicated that the sample obtained through this outreach skews
to the right compared with that of a scientifically selected random sample.
Nevertheless, Windmueller argues that his study shows “a distinctive Jewish
conservative voice emerging on Israel-related matters and an array of domestic
social issues” among “highly engaged Jews.”
Others disagree. Political scientist Kenneth Wald, of the University of Florida,
argued that Jewish support for Tea Party ideas or candidates is still marginal. “There
may be some Jews who are fiscally conservative, but it is a far cry from actually
supporting the Tea Party,” he said.
…the question of support for Israel was never the key concern Jewish voters had
with the Tea Party.
From the outset, conventional wisdom had it that Tea Partiers, with their program of
radically cutting government budgets and decreasing government’s role in daily life,
would have a difficult time wooing Jewish voters. This was an agenda seen as
running counter to the Jewish community’s historically broad support for
government-funded social programs.
Jewish activists also took issue with statements coming from Tea Party members
that seemed to indicate a certain lack of sensitivity to the issue of church and state
separation.
“Some of the Tea Party’s prominent candidates in 2010 made a very bad impression
on the Jewish community,” Wald said. “Jews have an allergic reaction to talk about a
divine role in the political world.” A public opinion report published in February by the
Pew Research Center found strong support for the Tea Party movement among
those who agree with the views of the conservative Christian movement.
But it was this same report, based on combined surveys taken between November
2010 and February that also found that Jews were not altogether alienated from the
Tea Party phenomena. According to that report, 15% of Jewish respondents agreed
with the Tea Party, while 49% disagreed and 35% had no opinion. While these
figures showed a Jewish community far from supportive of the movement, they also
indicated a potential for Jewish votes. Perhaps more important for some Tea Party
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9. figures gearing up for presidential runs, they may also suggest a potential donor
pool within a community known for political giving.
“Jews are experiencing the same things other Americans are: a combination of fear,
anger and uncertainty about their own future,” Windmueller said.
I think Steve Windmueller’s last sentence tells a lot about where American Jews are
these days. Fear, anger & uncertainty are taking their toll. Add to that these same
concerns about Israel and you have a pretty good picture of where the great middle
of Jewish American now finds itself.
ISOLATIONISM
I don’t want to dwell too long on the Tea Party. However, while they are a relatively
small group at the right end of the political spectrum they are not a distinct political
party. They are what I would term “a movement”. However, they have influence and
that influence is strong in the Republican Party (GOP). Some see the seeds of
isolationism beginning to emerge from a number of their positions.
Senator John McCain, the GOP’s last presidential candidate who believes in a
robust American foreign policy is beginning to worry about the isolationist trend in his
own party. The Jerusalem Post notes, “Discussing the (Republican primary) race on
ABC News earlier in the week, he made no bones about being “concerned about
what the candidates in New Hampshire the other night said.”
He explained, “This is isolationism. There’s always been an isolationist strain in the
Republican Party, the Pat Buchanan wing of our party.
But now it seems to have moved more center-stage, so to speak.”
How foreign policy issues play out in the campaign for the Republican nomination
has yet to be seen, and many analysts don’t consider the views expressed to add up
to outright isolationism, but rather a trend away from the expansive action favored
by neoconservatives.
How foreign policy issues play out in the campaign for the Republican nomination
has yet to be seen, and many analysts don’t consider the views expressed to add up
to outright isolationism, but rather a trend away from the expansive action favored
by neoconservatives.
It’s also not clear whether such a Republican stance would push President Barack
Obama further toward disengagement as well, as his party’s left flank has long
called for a smaller American footprint overseas, or whether he’d tack toward the
center and more interventionist policies as a line of attack against his opponents.
Either way, the debate could have profound implications for American involvement
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10. in the Middle East, and thus for Israel.
Democratic defenders of Israel see in the Republican posturing an opening to attack
the opposition and warn Jewish voters of dire consequences should the GOP
prevail.
“You’re seeing in this election a real isolationist trend from the Republican party,
especially the Tea Party wing of the party, which is [worrying] for all of us who
believe in a robust and engaged US foreign policy,” said Matt Dorf, who did Jewish
outreach for the Democratic National Committee during the 2008 campaign.
If this movement toward isolationism is real (it’s too early to tell) then there are, of
course, profound implications for U.S. – European relations. Needless to say, the
affect on Israel and the entire Middle East would also be important.
I do not as yet see a “trend’, however, it something that should be watched and I will
do the best I can to do so for you.
WHAT DO ISRAELI JEWS THINK?
I thought you might be interested in a recent poll taken by B’nai Brith International
(as reported in The Jerusalem Post) regarding the current feelings and attitudes of
Israeli Jews especially in relation to those of us who live in the U.S.
71 percent of the Israeli-Jewish respondents said Israel should always be ready to
meet and maintain contact with Jewish organizations – including those that question
its decisions – while only 20 percent opposed.
Organizations such as J Street, which are frequently criticized by both the Israeli
government and some American Jewish organizations for it’s “peace’ attitude,
interestingly, fare better on the “Israeli street” than here.
”This poll underscores what we have always said, which is that even if an Israeli
government disagrees with the criticism or alternative policies put forward by Jews
living abroad, it still must engage with them, said Jeremy Ben-Ami, President of J
Street.
“This failure, coupled with ad hominem attacks, is a distraction from the real
challenges we all face, which is how we protect the existence of a democratic and
Jewish Israel.”
“The results of the survey were significant and really demonstrate the close
connection between Israelis and Diaspora Jewry,” Alan Schneider, the director for
B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem, said. “For the first time, we were able to
establish not just strong support and identification of Israelis with the Diaspora that
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11. has been demonstrated in our earlier surveys, but to show the extent of actual family
connections. This shows us that Diaspora Jewry is a part of most Israelis’ daily life
and concerns.”
The survey also asked how they feel about receiving support from non-Jews. Over
the past decades, the Christian- Zionist community in America has been an ardent
supporter of the Jewish State, donating millions through groups, like the
International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and lobbying lawmakers in the US
to back Jerusalem politically. Half of those polled supported the continued
development of the relationship. (Ed. Note – Half didn’t!)
In my opinion the survey doesn’t break much new ground except in noting the
greater tolerance Israelis have for J Street type American Jewish organizations than,
perhaps, their American counterparts have.
In addition, though not really explained, Israelis seem to have a strong connection to
Jews in the Diaspora. It sort of flies in the face of those that claim that the world’s
two major Jewish communities are drifting away from one another. I’ve always been
suspicious of that point of view. Family is family and if Jews feel nothing else
strongly it is a sense of responsibility we have for one another. Tribal? I’d say an
emphatic “yes”.
See you again in July.
DuBow Digest is written and published by Eugene DuBow who can be contacted by
clicking here
Both the American and Germany editions are posted at
www.dubowdigest.typepad.com
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