Published: 10 July 2020
Last updated: 4 March 2024
IN THE BROAD CENTRE of Jewish life, being a Jew means, above all, supporting the existence of a Jewish state. In most Jewish communities on earth, rejecting Israel is a greater heresy than rejecting God.
The reason is rarely spelled out, mostly because it’s considered obvious: Opposing a Jewish state means risking a second Holocaust. It puts the Jewish people in existential danger. Through a historical sleight of hand that turns Palestinians into Nazis, fear of annihilation has come to define what it means to be an authentic Jew.
I grew up with these assumptions, and they still surround me. They pervade the communities in which I pray, send my children to school, and find many of my closest friends. Over the years, I’ve learned how to live in these spaces while publicly questioning Israel’s actions.
But questioning Israel’s existence as a Jewish state is a different order of offence—akin to spitting in the face of people I love and betraying institutions that give my life meaning and joy. Besides, Jewish statehood has long been precious to me, too. So I’ve respected certain red lines.
Unfortunately, reality has not. With each passing year, it has become clearer that Jewish statehood includes permanent Israeli control of the West Bank. With each new election, irrespective of which parties enter the government, Israel has continued subsidizing Jewish settlement in a territory in which Palestinians lack citizenship, due process, free movement, and the right to vote for the government that dominates their lives.
FULL STORY Yavne: A Jewish case for equality in Israel-Palestine (Jewish Currents)
READ RESPONSES
DAN SHAPIRO, former US ambassador to Israel (Twitter)
Calling for one state for Israelis and Palestinians is neither original, nor a remotely viable solution to this long-running conflict. It's a disaster in the making for Israelis, the Jewish people, Palestinians, and US interests
JEREMY BEN AMI, President of J-Street (Twitter)
I don’t believe the two state solution is dead. I recognize we’re not getting there under present circumstances. So while we change those circumstances, I will work - like Peter - to end occupation, inequality and injustice - and to help Israel live up to its founding vision.
Before we abandon Jerusalem for Yavne: A response to Peter Beinart (Times of Israel)
A one-state solution would be catastrophic for Israel (Washington Examiner)
