Comments on: Phillip Weiss on an AIPAC Alternative http://peoplesgeography.com/2007/04/10/phillip-weiss-on-an-aipac-alternative/ Creating people's geographies Mon, 19 Dec 2011 19:27:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: peoplesgeography http://peoplesgeography.com/2007/04/10/phillip-weiss-on-an-aipac-alternative/#comment-13741 Tue, 10 Apr 2007 08:29:25 +0000 http://peoplesgeography.com/2007/04/10/phillip-weiss-on-an-aipac-alternative/#comment-13741 Thanks for coming by, Sophia, appreciate your insight. While the Soros initiative in the US appears to have foundered or simply not really been mounted in any serious way, there have been some initiatives in the UK and Australia. Unfortunately nothing comparable in the US yet, where it matters the most. There have been some applaudable campaigns there, Richard Silverstein points out for example that three American Jewish peace groups, Peace Now, Israel Policy Forum, and Brit Tzedek, fought against an AIPAC-sponsored Congressional bill to criminalise contact with Hamas – the “Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Bill”. Its true a peace group like Jewish Voice for Peace doesn’t equal the goliath lobbying establishment of AIPAC, the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee that dominate the Israel Lobby.

Australia: Independent Australian Jewish Voices
UK: Independent Jewish Voices

I’d have to share your pessimism thus far, but the struggle continues.

]]> By: Sophia http://peoplesgeography.com/2007/04/10/phillip-weiss-on-an-aipac-alternative/#comment-13669 Mon, 09 Apr 2007 18:33:44 +0000 http://peoplesgeography.com/2007/04/10/phillip-weiss-on-an-aipac-alternative/#comment-13669 I read these news a while ago, a Jwish lobby against AIPAC. However, I am still dubious of such moves for two reasons.
1) If it wasn’t for the advocacy of Israel, Jews would not need a lobby in their countries of citizenship and residence.
2) ”Someday soon, the grassroots Jews are going to say Enough” This day has come and gone many times.

My impression is that Jews are anxious about the negative image of Israel and Jews in the world and they are preparing the terrain in case public opinions worldwide may come to elect governments who will stop advocating unconditionally for Israel.

I am sorry to be pessimistic.

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