I don't think Betts is happy with Palestinian leadership or the oppression of women, gays, or other minorities in the Palestinian Authority areas in Gaza or the West Bank. I think these are concerns, but that she may view and end to the post '67 occupation as a panacea, or that the Occupation may overshadow those concerns.
My concern is that she seems to have aligned herself with groups that have legitimized a number of things I disagree with. These groups legitimize a host of things, from blanket economic sanctions which punish Jews and Non-Jews, including Muslims and Christians through well-intended but faulty BDS efforts, to the idea that terrorist violence against civilians is a legitimate tool of resistance.
I think she and I both hope and long for peace, but by different means, and I fear that she does not fully realize the fears that we as Jews have of annihilation. At least her support of certain organizations seems to indicate an indifference toward Jewish continuity in the pursuit of peace.
I hope that as we Jews hear and listen to the complaints of our Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, brothers and sisters, we will be sensitive as well to their hopes and fears.
Until then, For Zion's sake, I cannot be silent; If I forget Jerusalem, may I lose my capacity for other good speech and good deeds.
Thanks for the vote of confidence on this issue, Betts. I know we are very different, and both quirky.
I remain steadfast in my belief that a Jewish national homeland in our ancestral homeland with self-determination is essential to our survival. I think where we disagree is on how Jews should treat our Palestinian brothers and sisters, how we view the conflict, and how we acheive peace. We both share the notion that many acts from Israeli Jews are deplorable, illegal and immoral. I question whether you view similar acts from Palestinian Muslims as deplorable, illegal or immoral, or if you see them as legitimate tools of resistance to the Post 1967 Occupation.
I don't think I contacted your campaign directly, but I did alert media and voters that Betts had participated in protests that I thought were over the line - picketing a Jewish Community Center and scaring pre-school kids, and you aligned with or supportive of groups which dismissed the deaths of Jews in terror attacks. One group you partnered with was described as minimizing the Nazi Holocaust. Serious stuff. But we can disagree, and I think we both assume the other has positive intentions. At least I assume your intentions are positive, loving, and hopeful of peace.
I hope that my affection for the Muslim community shows you that I share those intentions, despite our differences.
I've said before that I think you'd make a great school board member, except for the fact that I would be afraid that middle east politics might get in the way vis a vis curriculum, and that disqualifies you from serving.
I don't believe I denigrated anyone, but if you'd like to send me comments that people found offensive, I'd be happy to review them. I struggle with reacting instead of responding. I work on that. Especially when people tell lies about me, as your supporters did in some posts. (e.g. that I think Israel can do no wrong.)
_____
I am thrilled that Betts and I have found agreement on this issue and hope that we can work together in the future. G-d willing/B'ezrat Hashem/InshAllah, we can participate in a Muslim-Jewish/ Jewish-Muslim PeaceWalk event.
Our desire as Jews is to have self-determination in our ancient homeland, in peace with our neighbors.
The same dream that every indigenous group around the world has.
Betts has supported those who wish to remove Jews from our ancient homeland, included working with those who deny or minimize the Holocaust and our ties to the land.
By the way - the people who defended Betts - the two who used their real names both have picketed the Jewish Community Center along with Betts. There are photos.
I worked there and I saw the crying Jewish preschool students wondering why "people hate us".
I can see that Betts asked all of her Women in Black friends and her anti-Israel Jewish friends to post in her defense, and to lie about me. Classic Trump tactics. Divert and disparage.
I am not pro-occupation, as Ms. Afek supposes, nor do I think Israel can do no wrong. In fact, I spearheaded an effort to for equal treatment of Israel's Bedouin communities in direct criticism of the Israeli government, I favor a 2-state solution which ends the tragic occupation of our Palestinian brothers and sisters, and I wholly support Jewish-Muslim-Christian reconciliation.
Sounds like Trump - facts don't matter.
The solution to the Israel-Palestine problem is not continued occupation and it's not for the end the Jewish autonomy in Israel. Both positions are abhorrent. At least one of your defenders has taken that position. I have taken neither. Your camp takes the latter.
Having a few radical Jewish friends who demonize Israel because it's not perfect does not make a person reasonable - it is self-hatred, sick and twisted.
Israel must be a pluralistic, multi-cultural society where Jews, Muslims and Christians live in peace.
Instead, Betts' friends take the Trump position of "wreck the whole thing if it's not perfect."
Betts, bringing out your anti-Israel Jewish friends to defend your "Jewish Problem" and to justify a view that is contradictory to 95% of Jews and 99% of Philosemitic Christians shows the kind of lack of balance that you could bring to the board.
Instead of defending your "Jewish Problem", you've doubled down on it in favor of radicalism.
___________
I'll say it again. Betts could bring a lot to the board. But she doesn't seem to know how to serve all students.
By bringing a gang of anti-Israel Jews; it's like she brought Ben Carson to say what's wrong with #BLM instead of addressing the real problem of bad cops shooting black men.
Recent Comments
I don't think Betts is happy with Palestinian leadership or the oppression of women, gays, or other minorities in the Palestinian Authority areas in Gaza or the West Bank. I think these are concerns, but that she may view and end to the post '67 occupation as a panacea, or that the Occupation may overshadow those concerns.
My concern is that she seems to have aligned herself with groups that have legitimized a number of things I disagree with. These groups legitimize a host of things, from blanket economic sanctions which punish Jews and Non-Jews, including Muslims and Christians through well-intended but faulty BDS efforts, to the idea that terrorist violence against civilians is a legitimate tool of resistance.
I think she and I both hope and long for peace, but by different means, and I fear that she does not fully realize the fears that we as Jews have of annihilation. At least her support of certain organizations seems to indicate an indifference toward Jewish continuity in the pursuit of peace.
I hope that as we Jews hear and listen to the complaints of our Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, brothers and sisters, we will be sensitive as well to their hopes and fears.
Until then, For Zion's sake, I cannot be silent; If I forget Jerusalem, may I lose my capacity for other good speech and good deeds.
Marty
I remain steadfast in my belief that a Jewish national homeland in our ancestral homeland with self-determination is essential to our survival. I think where we disagree is on how Jews should treat our Palestinian brothers and sisters, how we view the conflict, and how we acheive peace. We both share the notion that many acts from Israeli Jews are deplorable, illegal and immoral. I question whether you view similar acts from Palestinian Muslims as deplorable, illegal or immoral, or if you see them as legitimate tools of resistance to the Post 1967 Occupation.
I don't think I contacted your campaign directly, but I did alert media and voters that Betts had participated in protests that I thought were over the line - picketing a Jewish Community Center and scaring pre-school kids, and you aligned with or supportive of groups which dismissed the deaths of Jews in terror attacks. One group you partnered with was described as minimizing the Nazi Holocaust. Serious stuff. But we can disagree, and I think we both assume the other has positive intentions. At least I assume your intentions are positive, loving, and hopeful of peace.
I hope that my affection for the Muslim community shows you that I share those intentions, despite our differences.
I've said before that I think you'd make a great school board member, except for the fact that I would be afraid that middle east politics might get in the way vis a vis curriculum, and that disqualifies you from serving.
I don't believe I denigrated anyone, but if you'd like to send me comments that people found offensive, I'd be happy to review them. I struggle with reacting instead of responding. I work on that. Especially when people tell lies about me, as your supporters did in some posts. (e.g. that I think Israel can do no wrong.)
_____
I am thrilled that Betts and I have found agreement on this issue and hope that we can work together in the future. G-d willing/B'ezrat Hashem/InshAllah, we can participate in a Muslim-Jewish/ Jewish-Muslim PeaceWalk event.
She doesn't like Israel, and picketed the Jewish Festival at a pre-school and community center to show her dislike.
Great ideas otherwise, but can't be trusted to represent Jewish students.
I respect your right to have your opinion.
Our desire as Jews is to have self-determination in our ancient homeland, in peace with our neighbors.
The same dream that every indigenous group around the world has.
Betts has supported those who wish to remove Jews from our ancient homeland, included working with those who deny or minimize the Holocaust and our ties to the land.
That's not acceptable in any candidate.
I worked there and I saw the crying Jewish preschool students wondering why "people hate us".
I am not pro-occupation, as Ms. Afek supposes, nor do I think Israel can do no wrong. In fact, I spearheaded an effort to for equal treatment of Israel's Bedouin communities in direct criticism of the Israeli government, I favor a 2-state solution which ends the tragic occupation of our Palestinian brothers and sisters, and I wholly support Jewish-Muslim-Christian reconciliation.
Sounds like Trump - facts don't matter.
The solution to the Israel-Palestine problem is not continued occupation and it's not for the end the Jewish autonomy in Israel. Both positions are abhorrent. At least one of your defenders has taken that position. I have taken neither. Your camp takes the latter.
Having a few radical Jewish friends who demonize Israel because it's not perfect does not make a person reasonable - it is self-hatred, sick and twisted.
Israel must be a pluralistic, multi-cultural society where Jews, Muslims and Christians live in peace.
Instead, Betts' friends take the Trump position of "wreck the whole thing if it's not perfect."
Betts, bringing out your anti-Israel Jewish friends to defend your "Jewish Problem" and to justify a view that is contradictory to 95% of Jews and 99% of Philosemitic Christians shows the kind of lack of balance that you could bring to the board.
Instead of defending your "Jewish Problem", you've doubled down on it in favor of radicalism.
___________
I'll say it again. Betts could bring a lot to the board. But she doesn't seem to know how to serve all students.
By bringing a gang of anti-Israel Jews; it's like she brought Ben Carson to say what's wrong with #BLM instead of addressing the real problem of bad cops shooting black men.
I challenge you to look at my sources and tell me what part of Betts' "Jewish Problem" you think is crackpot.
She's stood with a dude who minimizes or denies the Holocaust, and picketed a Jewish Festival and attended events which deny Israel's right to exist.
Based on that, can she represent all students, including Jews and Christians?
You're not arguing with me, you're arguing with the AJL, Jewish Virtual Library and Alan Dershowitz.
After Trump disappears, there will still be racists, liars and fear-mongers like him - on both sides. Let's figure out how to discern some truth.