APN leader rages at those who ignore their hearts

Editor’s Note:  The following is excerpted from a farewell column written by Debra DeLee, the longtime president of Americans for Peace Now, upon her retirement.

By Debra DeLee

NEW YORK —  … The targets of my rage are those who know right from wrong, yet have chosen wrong for personal or political expedience.

My rage about what is going on in our country is not aimed primarily at Donald Trump. He is so narcissistically megalo-everything, and ignorant of his own limitations, I expect nothing better from him. My rage is focused on enablers who know better, who recognize the threat his policies present to our country, our values, our constitution, and yet who do nothing to stop him. They do his bidding, applaud him and support him publicly while they wring their hands privately at the danger he poses domestically, to our standing in the international community, and yes, to our nation’s security. Shame on them.

I feel rage as well at many American Jews and at much of the organized Jewish community. How many times have I been told “I’m with you in my heart of hearts, but I cannot support Americans for Peace Now because (complete the sentence) . . .”

1. I would lose my standing in the Jewish community

2. I would be isolated in my synagogue

3. It would hurt our fundraising

4. My husband, wife, parents, etc., would kill me

5. Well, you know . . .

Are you kidding? People are dying because of this conflict. Israelis, Palestinians, men, women, children. And where is the rage of so much of the organized Jewish community? Where is the rage at settler violence directed at Palestinians and at Israel’s military? Where is the rage when our government – against longtime bipartisan US policy – unilaterally and provocatively moves our embassy to Jerusalem? Where is the rage when 1,000 settlers successfully create a siege of the Palestinian majority in Hebron? Where is the rage when Israel’s Knesset passes bill after bill chipping away at Israel’s democracy? I’m referring to bills like the Entry Law, according to which I should not be granted an entry visa because I encourage folks to not buy products made in the settlements, and the exclusionary Nation State Law which codifies the second-class status of Israel’s non-Jewish citizens? Where is the rage when people who disagree with Israeli policies aren’t allowed into Israel . . . for ideas or beliefs they hold?

We American Jews, who fight with great energy against the separation of children from their families at our border, don’t speak out as Gazan children are condemned to live in squalor, and Palestinian children in the West Bank are forced to see their parents humiliated in punitive night-time raids, broken in spirit as they see their dreams for the future destroyed. We Jews, whose historical narrative is the story of fighting for a homeland, of being persecuted, of being “the other,” have not fought against the 51-year occupation of another people.

We Jews, who played a significant role in the civil rights movement in the US and in ending apartheid in South Africa, don’t fight policies that will lead to Israel becoming an apartheid state as the occupation becomes further entrenched. We Jews, who know the imperative of repairing the world, through our silence instead support leaders and policies that damage the democracy and human rights of the Jewish homeland. And you tell me that you are concerned about your standing in your Jewish community and your fundraising efforts, and that I should understand all that is involved in “well, you know…”?

No, I don’t know. I didn’t know when I fought for civil rights in the 60s, when I fought to end the war in Vietnam, when I marched for same-sex marriage. These were all issues that people knew “in their heart of hearts” were right, but didn’t for years publicly support or work for “because, you know.” All of those causes succeeded, but many years later than they deserved, with lives lost and ruined as a result.

I recognize that this rant may seem more suited to a blog on some sort of social media, not in our annual Rosh Hashana mailing. But I hope you’ll indulge me a bit longer while I share why I’ve committed the past 21 years to APN.

Not once in 21 years — not at a Board meeting, staff meeting, or in a hallway discussion, has APN refused to take a policy position because it was controversial or unpopular. Not when we testified on the threats and realities of settlement expansion before the UN Security Council. Not when we took a position to boycott products made in the settlements. Not when we urged President Obama to not veto a much vilified UN resolution which simply reiterated US policy in support of two states. Not when we testified on behalf of, and helped move through Congress, the conditioning of US loan guarantees to Israel based on spending over the Green Line. Not when we took on JNF for its campaign to evict Palestinians from their homes in the City of David – owned by their families for generations – to move settlers into those homes. Of course we discussed the ramifications of taking all these positions, but if there was a position we supported “in our heart of hearts,” we took it. And we asked you to take it as well. And we have been gratified that so many of you joined us and boldly supported those successful efforts.

Several years ago, I received an email from a high school classmate. We had known each other since we attended nursery school at West Suburban Temple Har Zion in River Forest, Illinois. Our fathers had bowled together in the B’nai B’rith league at the temple, and our mothers served together in the temple sisterhood and as leaders of their Hadassah chapter. I opened the email with curiosity and interest, since we had not spoken since we graduated. Among other hateful comments in the email, he called me “an enemy of Israel” and told me he had prayed to God to strike me dead on Yom Kippur. I continue to wonder what could produce that level of hatred towards an old friend. My leadership of a Jewish, Zionist organization? APN’s belief that compromising on borders is worth saving the lives of both Israelis and Palestinians? Is it APN’s conviction that Palestinians have the right to a homeland, to see their children have the same opportunities as their Israeli neighbors? Is it because we want to prevent missiles from falling on our Israeli friends and family who live along the Gaza border? Is it because we value life over dogma and peace over war? Personally, I remain conflicted on the issue of God, but if God did hear my friend’s prayer, S/he chose not to answer it. I am profoundly grateful.

There is one more emotion I want to share: Hope.

What gives me hope when there is so much that enrages me? It’s pretty simple. People. Beyond the diplomatic accomplishments regarding Israeli-Palestinian peace over the past two decades — and they are significant — I draw hope from the people. On both sides. When I see the commitment in the eyes of the young, newly-recruited peace activists of Shalom Achshav, I see hope. When I see Palestinian entrepreneurs building their future state, I see hope. When I see tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrating for peace, tolerance and democracy, I see hope. And when I see how many of you read what we produce, take action when we ask, and yes, support us with your dollars when there are so many demands on your resources, I see hope.

Throughout my two decades at APN, I’ve seen — and experienced – a lot of ups and downs. I’ve felt many disappointments, but also moments of great hope. I believe that the best way to get past the disappointments and take advantage of the hope is to act….

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Preceding distributed by Americans for Peace Now