Posted on 07/22/2006 12:35:25 PM PDT by quidnunc
For years I have watched the Palestinians do absurdly self-destructive things, and have never understood them until now. But watching the Bush administration stoutly defend Israel this week against the background of an American Jewish population that vocally (often sneeringly) dislikes him and his administration, and consistently votes by massive majorities for his Democratic opponents, I start to understand the Palestinians just a little.
American Jews are not Palestinians and have not sunk to the level of supporting terrorist murderers. But their behavior is a lesson in self-destructive nihilism that could teach even the Palestinians a thing or two. U.S. Jews remain fervent supporters of an American left that is increasingly unable or unwilling to say why Israel must exist. Of course American Jews, like all Americans, define their interests in terms of many issues and not just one. But there is a reason why so many used to put Israel's safety near the top of their lists: Israel has been caught in a life-or-death struggle since birth; American support is critical to her survival.
True: Jewish support for President Bush moved upward in the 2004 election relative to the 2000 figures. It moved all the way up to 25 percent. During the five presidential elections of the 1970s and '80s, American Jews averaged 35 percent support for the Republican candidate, so 25 percent for Bush in '04 was not exactly a landslide move to the GOP. But even this pint-sized move seems to have petered out earlier this year. Jack Abramoff does not make an attractive spokesman for Jewish Republicans. The fall of Tom DeLay silenced one of the best friends Israel ever had in American politics, and one of the most effective symbols of Republican support for Israel. So the pattern of the '90s is likely to continue: American Jews move left as the left moves away from Israel.
-snip-
In view of the fact that the Religious Right is the most potent pro-Israel political force in America today, I can't help but view Foxman and his ilk as unmitigated ingrates.
BTTT - Gelernter
These are the same people that voted the hildebeast into the WH for 8 years, loved her when she kissed Suha araRATfink even though Suha hates the jewish people, gave her the NY senator's position for 4 years and for another 4 years and will vote her in the WH. Who can understand? I don't.
Ingratitude has nothing to do with it. They hate the hard line positions of Israel and of the pro-Israeli right in America. They are leftist, liberal weenies. Jews aren't immune to it. Why is this so baffling? People seem to think leftist American Jews should someone overcome their lefty ways because they should feel allegiance to Israel. But hello! American lefties don't even feel allegiance to AMERICA--their own country! Why would they be any better vis a vis Israel. It doesn't make sense to be baffled by this.
The proper question would be "Why are so many American Jews liberals/leftists."
Very sorry to say... Abe Foxman ONLY cares about... Abe Foxman.
The US hates Bush in the same way Israelis hate Netanyahu... the press pushed them to it.
We all know that the pen is stronger than the sword.... that is why Free Reublic, and our own GAMLA is so important
"Why do so many American Jews hate the president who stands by Israel?"
same reason democrats hate Our President.
In view of the fact that the Religious Right is the most potent pro-Israel political force in America today....
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This is the big irony -- Christians support Israeli Jews far more than American Jews. So never let an American Jew ever speak to you about loyalty, about right and wrong. They are sick hypocrites -- and that is why most of them thrive in New York !!! After all, didn't you know that Hitlery is Jewish??? :-)
The irony and ingratitude are incomprehensible...
American Jews who are conservative are more likely to put their money where their mouth is and move to Israel. Thus those who are left here tend to be, umm, Left here.
The dynamic described in the article is not hard to understand. Self loathing is the driving force behind all liberalism. The only difference between Jewish Liberals and Gentile Liberals is that Jewish Liberals have the existence of Israel as an additional avenue for self loathing.
When all you really have is a few traditions (the seder, the menorah, kashrut and no Jesus), the tendency is to view all religious people, including observant Jews in Israel and American Christians, with condescension and moral equivalence with those other religious extremists who have been troubling us lately.
Others may be able to state this more clearly, and to correct any errors I have made.
I must admit that I don't understand American Jews! With their long history of persecution perhaps they are entitled to some character flaws. Now to risk some charges of being anti-semitic. I am not and fully support Israel! The American Jewish culture seems to me to be matriarchial and neurotic in nature. Most Jewish men I know seem to be hen pecked. Most of them are not religious...only culturally Jewish. Many are agnostics and dislike anyone religious, particularly Jesus followers who are the greatest supporters of the Nation Israel. I love the Jewish race for they are the founders of the Christian faith.
Lemming syndrome? Brainlesslly marching off a cliff?
Self-loathing, self-hatred?
No great change in the mentality that had some of 6 million Jews walking passively into death chambers, knowing full well what awaited them?
Your call. This has always been totally beyond my poor efforts at understanding.
Jews throughout the world have always had a soft spot for socialism. For American Jews, the Dhimmicrat Party is the closest thing to it.
"But hello! American lefties don't even feel allegiance to AMERICA--their own country! Why would they be any better vis a vis Israel. It doesn't make sense to be baffled by this."
That was helpful...a little.....But you would think an image of box cars taking your ancestors to Auschwitz might inspire a New York Jew who witnessed 9-11 first hand to support the best friend Israel ever had.
Some folks are simply destined to repeat history....
Yes, this has always flummoxed me too. We had a moderate Republican Congressman come to our synagogue for a town meeting.
He was ripped asunder over Iraq. It was bloody. And--to a RINO's credit--he got up and fired back with real grace and firmness in his support of Bush. It made me proud of him for once.
He even brought up the fact that Saddam was paying $25,000 to $50,000 for suicide bombers hitting Israel--which Saddam ain't doing no mo'. He got no where with the congregation.
Now my co-religionists are going out to campaign for a far, far left fruitcake who has promised to help impeach Bush over the war.
Don't ask me; I don't know.
McVey
They're schlemiels...gluttons for punishment.
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