New York – Rabbi Lerner: Call By ADL and AJC Not To Criticize Oabama About Israel Is ‘Nuts’

New York – This past Sunday, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the American Jewish Committee (AJC), two prominent Jewish organizations in the United States, issued a joint “pledge” calling upon Jewish and Israeli groups not to criticize President Obama’s record on Israel. The “National Pledge for Unity on Israel,” aims to promote bipartisan support for Israel while preventing the Jewish State from becoming a wedge issue in the upcoming campaign season.

Rabbi Yair Hoffman spoke with Rabbi Pesach Lerner about the call.

YH: Rabbi Lerner, what is your response to the joint statement issued this past Sunday by the ADL and AJC?
RPL: This statement seems to be an attempt to silence any valid criticism of the current administration on any past or future course of action they may take regarding Jerusalem and Israel. My response? One is tempted to quote General McAuliffe in the Battle of the Bulge – “Nuts.”

YH: Should they (Harris and Foxman) resign?
RPL: This was a serious error on their part and a disservice to the state of Israel and even more important, a challenge on the rights and obligations of every Jew, of every caring American. They owe all of us an explanation, to say the least.

YH: Are they actually asking Jews to give up or voluntarily forego their first amendment rights?
RPL: It certainly looks like that is exactly what they are attempting.—but it seems there is something else driving them, and I cannot even imagine what. No person or organization has the right to make such a request. It is tantamount to telling people not to vote. What this country is all about is always being able to express one’s views – even when they are critical. Let’s be realistic—this country spends billions of dollars on foreign aid, every president is judged on their foreign policy, there are foreign policy committees in the senate and house. We—the United States– have an obligation to concern ourselves with other countries and other peoples, and we do act upon that concern, and, in my opinion, sometimes rightfully so, and sometimes not.

Well, each individual has that same obligation, and when it comes to Israel, we as Americans and as Jews, or as Jews and as Americans—and I’m not telling anyone how they should view themselves, we have a similar obligation.

Firstly, Israel is the only real ally the USA has in the Middle East. Protecting Israel is in America’s best interest.

Secondly, of course I have a right to vote for whomever I wish, based upon the criteria I pick—whether it be the economy, healthcare, jobs, immigration or Israel. And I have a right to express my opinion, or my satisfaction or dis-satisfaction with any actions and opinions of any elected official or candidate

Would Mr. Foxman ever say, don’t judge a candidate on their anti-Semitic comments or actions? Of course not. Would Mr. Harris ever say, Jews and America don’t match? American Jewish is their name.

Then don’t ask me not to judge someone on their opinion and actions regarding Jerusalem and Israel, that is my right and responsibility. –if I forget Jerusalem……says the psalmist.

YH: Are they not afraid that president Obama might force Israel to do things not in Israel’s best interest?
RPL: The president has done some good things for the state of Israel – that is true. At the same time he has shown a propensity to do things that are very much against Israel’s interests. Abe Foxman and David Harris have always been pro-Israel and, quite frankly, I was at a loss as to why did this. It is good to see that they backtracked a bit a few days later.

YH: Do you think that this idea came from the Obama administration itself?
RPL: It is conceivable that it did, I don’t know.

YH: Is this a desperate move to shore up Jewish votes in November 2012?
RPL: I have no idea, but obviously it already backfired, hence the latest—clarifications. If I may add—– We all have a mitzvah of yishuv eretz yisrael, living in the land of eretz yisrael, in Israel. If for whatever reasons, we are still in America, or elsewhere, we at least have an obligation to do what we can for Israel—to daven for her, to express our opinions, to lobby on her behalf, to send our children and Tzedakah her way, etc. We must strengthen our efforts—that will be our response to Mr. Foxman and Mr. Harris. That is our right as Americans and obligation as Jews.

YH: Thank you.

Rabbi Pesach Lerner, is Executive Vice President of the National Council of Young Israel, based in New York City representing shuls and communities throughout North America.