American Jewish leaders come out in support of Kerry peace effort

[Jefferson23]

Signatories on letter to Netanyahu include lawyer Alan Dershowitz, former World Bank president Jim Wolfensohn and historian Deborah Lipstadt.

By Haaretz | Feb. 13, 2014

Over 150 American Jewish leaders sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday expressing strong support for the peace efforts of U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and offering their support at "this pivotal moment of decision-making."

The letter was the initiative of the Israel Policy Forum, a United States-based advocacy organization. The signatories included lawyer Alan Dershowitz, former World Bank president Jim Wolfensohn and historian Deborah Lipstadt, along with many American Jewish philanthropists, business leaders, Democratic political operatives and community leaders.

"We write to express the sentiment of a broad section of the American Jewish community in support of your continued efforts to pursue a negotiated resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on two states for two peoples," the letter stated.

Describing themselves as "American advocates for a strong, Jewish and democratic Israel," the signatories wrote that they "believe Secretary Kerry’s determined diplomatic effort offers an unprecedented opportunity to ensure Israel’s security, to enhance its prosperity, and to avoid the existential threat to the Jewish state posed by bi-nationalism."

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.573969

[blm]

1. So glad this effort is being made.

There has been such little news about it, but, no doubt, that is probably why it is progressing. Corpmedia has always had Kerry as their target.

[elleng]

2. PLEASE do NOT call dershowitz an 'American Jewish leader.'

He's American and he's Jewish, but he surely is NOT a leader.

[Jefferson23]

4. I posted it b/c it covers the opinion of a percentage of those approving the Kerry Plan.

I was not endorsing it.

[elleng]

5. I understand,

and was not complaining about you in particular, Jefferson.

[Jefferson23]

6. I thought not, yet internet communication can be precarious at times.

Thank you.

[King_David]

9. Do you think the majority of USA Jews agree with your analysis ?

Just wondering.

[elleng]

10. Yes

[King_David]

11. Ha ha

Good one.

But it's not Purim yet.

[Violet_Crumble]

14. That was a statement of fact, not an analysis...

These things are facts:

1. Dershy is an American Jew
2. Dershy isn't an American Jewish leader (for the record, Deborah Lipstadt isn't either)

So which fact are you disagreeing with? See if you can do it without yr normal pretence that yr speaking on behalf of US Jews. Just yr opinion as an individual is what I'm interested in seeing...

[King_David]

15. I guess you mean some kind of elected or appointed leader?

Is that what you mean?

[OregonBlue]

3. Wonderful. American jews do want peace.

[azurnoir]

7. well if Alan Dershowitz says it's a good deal-for Israel

who's to question?

[Jefferson23]

8. Seal of approval, yep. I agree with him, it is a good deal for Israel but only Israel.

He left that part out.

[aranthus]

12. Except he didn't say that it was a good deal for Israel.

He doesn't even know what the "deal" is. What he and others have said is that they support the negotiations.

[azurnoir]

13. ............

I was speaking of the 'negotiations' themselves and what has been so far announced concerning them