Progressives and Israel: Differing Perspectives

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/opinion/letters/democrats-progressives-israel-antisemitism.html

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To the Editor:

Re “The Progressive Assault on Israel,” by Bret Stephens (column, Feb. 10):

As a moderate Democrat and a strong supporter of Israel, I am concerned about efforts by the Democratic Party’s far left to demonize Israel, question its legitimacy and exclude its supporters from progressive movements and groups.

Mr. Stephens delineates the double standard lobbied against Israel and how so many in the progressive left don’t understand the complexity of the situation.

As he wrote, the comparison of Israel to South Africa during apartheid is inaccurate, as Israeli Arabs are members of Parliament and attend Israeli universities, something that blacks were not able to do in South Africa.

He notes that Israel can do more and sometimes better, but that is different from saying that Israel is an apartheid state.

Mr. Stephens is not saying Israel is above criticism. But questioning its legitimacy and trying to ostracize its supporters is wrong and should not be tolerated in our country.

Judith LobelNew York

To the Editor:

No, Bret Stephens, it is not the existence of Israel, let alone anti-Semitism, that is behind hostility toward Israel among progressives. It is the occupation of the West Bank.

The proof is obvious. During the prime ministerships of Yitzhak Rabin and then Shimon Peres, Israel was admired across the political spectrum. There was no B.D.S. movement (boycott, divestment and sanctions), and campus hostility toward Israel barely existed. Why? Because Mr. Rabin and Mr. Peres were sincerely pursuing peace with the Palestinians through territorial compromise (the Oslo agreement).

If the occupation was not the cause of Israel’s loss of popularity on the left, Oslo would not have mattered; Israel would have been as disliked under Mr. Rabin as under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But Mr. Rabin was an international hero, including on the left.

The difference is the occupation, the settlements and Israel’s policies in the West Bank (and the blockade of Gaza). Change those policies, and hostility toward Israel will disappear.

M.J. RosenbergChevy Chase, Md.The writer has worked for Jewish groups, including the Israel Policy Forum, Aipac and the American Jewish Committee.