J Street: Statement on Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza

[ProgressiveMuslim]

December 27th, 2008
While this morning’s air strikes by Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza can be understood and even justified in the wake of recent rocket attacks, we believe that real friends of Israel recognize that escalating the conflict will prove counterproductive, igniting further anger in the region and damaging long-term prospects for peace and stability.

Respecting Israel’s right to defend itself, we urge leaders there to recognize that there is no military solution to what is fundamentally a political conflict between the Israeli and Palestinian peoples.

Today’s IDF strikes will deepen the cycle of violence in the region. Retaliation is inevitable, though we don’t know how far the violence will spread or how many more Israelis and Palestinians will die and suffer in the days and weeks to come.

We call for immediate, strong diplomatic intervention by the United States, the Quartet and allies in the region to negotiate a resumption of the ceasefire which dramatically reduced violence and preserved quiet for over five months.

The United States, the Quartet, and the world community must not wait – as they did in the Israel-Lebanon crisis of 2006 – for weeks to pass and hundreds or thousands more to die before intervening. There needs to be an urgent end to the new hostilities that brings a complete cessation to the rocket fire out of Gaza and that allows food, fuel and other civilian necessities into Gaza.

The need for diplomatic engagement goes beyond a short-term ceasefire. Eight years of American neglect and ineffective diplomacy have led us directly to a moment when the prospects of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict hang in the balance and with them the prospects for Israel’s long-term survival as a Jewish, democratic state.

We urge the incoming Obama administration to lead an early and serious effort to achieve a comprehensive diplomatic resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian and Arab-Israeli conflicts.

This is a fundamental American interest as we too stand to suffer as the situation spirals, rage in the region is directed at the United States, and our regional allies are further undermined. Our goals must be a Middle East that moves beyond bloody conflicts, an Israel that is secure and accepted in the region, and an America secured by reducing extremism and enhancing stability. None of these goals are achieved by further escalation.

Even in the heat of battle, as friends and supporters of Israel, we need to remember that only diplomacy and negotiations can end the rockets and terror and bring Israel long-term security and peace.

http://www.jstreet.org/blog/?cat=16

[oberliner]

1. Well said! Thanks for posting!

Do you agree with their statement?

[ProgressiveMuslim]

2. I don't think the Israeli massacre can be justifed at all.

I've said all along, there is no military solution to this.

Furthermore, "ending the rockets and terror" might be the goal of J Street, but I am trying hard not to read that as: "lets return to a time when Palestinians allowed us to colonize and subjugate them passively."

[oberliner]

3. "Allowed us to colonize and subjugate them passively?"

Who is "us"?

JStreet members are colonizing and subjugating Palestinians?

[ProgressiveMuslim]

6. Not quite clear about your point.

J Street are not Israelis, but they are close enough to weigh in as a constituency.

Nitpick away, though.

[oberliner]

9. My point is that you are equating American Jews with the Israeli government

If you don't think it's important to distinguish between the two then I think that is more than just a minor "nitpicking" problem.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

14. I suppose I didn't word that as clearly as I could.

I'm usually pretty darned particular about specifying "Israeli gov't." Heck I rarely even say Israeli people, much less blame Jews around the world.

Point taken.

[oberliner]

17. Thanks for clarifying

And I do agree that you usually make sure to make such a distinction in your posts here.

[LeftishBrit]

10. I don't interpret it this way.

J-Street are in favour of a two-state solution, not continued occupation.

'there is no military solution to this.'

Agree. Only real peace negotiations will ever end this mess.

How do you get from 'ending the rockets and terror' to 'Palestinians allowing us (Israel?) to colonize and subjugate them passively'? That sounds just like people at the other extreme assuming that anyone who wants the occupation to end, or opposes the present attack, must want the Israelis to accept being driven into the sea.

In any case, J-Street are not Israelis, and Americans have never colonized the Palestinians; though I admit that the British did.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

12. The statement clearly discusses ending the rockets and terror.

For me, that's not the goal, though I can understand that it IS the goal of Israelis, who wish to carry on the status quo without paying any price.

The entire conflict requires a negotiated political solution.

Why do you suppose Israel works so hard to sow discord on the Palestinian side?

[Vegasaurus]

16. There is plenty of discord among Arabs Palestinians

that has nothing to do with Israel.

They need to get their own house in order and start taking responsibility for themselves, their actions and the consequences.

[Ghost Dog]

8. Absolutely agree. n/t

[HysteryDiagnosis]

4. If American soldiers were on every streetcorner in Gaza as they

are in Baghdad... well, you know what I mean.

[LeftishBrit]

5. Excellent statement.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

7. Do you believe this attack was justified? nt

[LeftishBrit]

11. No.

And I don't think that J-Street are justifying it - they are saying that people *could* justify it in view of the recent Hamas violence, but that in fact it's wrong and counterproductive.

[ProgressiveMuslim]

13. I suppose it's the same sort of double talk

we all engage in...

while Israel may have the "right" to do this, it's not effective.

That's pretty much my line about the rockets themselves.

So.. OK.

[azurnoir]

15. The double speak is made neccesary by

cyber bullies no matter how civil they are one must always qualify a statement with while this we understand if you do not then any discussion will be inevitably sidetracked by shrill and usually false charges it has been the hallmark of the ProIsrael set and you can see it on any number og threads here on DU