There are a couple of responsibilities that Jews have at this time, when Israel is under a great deal of scrutiny. One is to know enough to explain to other people what the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is and has been about, and how it has evolved over Israel's 62 years. There are a couple things I have written recently that are helpful for that. In last Sunday's Nashua Telegraph is a column I wrote for the general public. For the congregation, I recently wrote a bulletin article about the modern history of Jerusalem.
At the same time, we have a spiritual obligation not to let venom directed at Israel divert us from our fundamental values. We seek peace, for Israel and all around her. We seek justice, for Israel and for all around her. We seek an end to unnecessary suffering, by Israelis and Palestinians. No actions by critics, no failures of the Palestinians' own leadership would justify our failing to keep committed to those principles.
Here are a few more interesting things to read:
A good Israeli response/rebuttal from Ambassador to the U.S. MIchael Oren
A thoughtful critique of the raid from an American Jewish defender of Israel Leon Wieseltier
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