Word: jews
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...article, "A Higher Standard," Joshua Sharfstein attempted to prove the "obligation" of American Jews to criticize Israel "out of idealism and realism." But instead of justifying open criticism of Israel, he merely showed the confusion of a Jew who "faced the dilemma of whether or not to criticize Israel." His drawing of a false parallel between the general Jewish issue of "Who is a Jew" and the internal Israeli issue of the territories, and his failure to distinguish between gratuitous public criticism and constructive private criticism, lead to an article that contains more rationalization than reasoning...
...flaw in his comparison of the two issues subject to American Jewish criticism is clear. The question of what makes one a Jew has been discussed for ages by Jews of all sects. An authoritative determination by the religious right that would indeed assert the "unworthiness of non-orthodox beliefs" affects most American Jews directly, both by denying the validity of their faith and failing to grant the privileges of automatic entry, residence and citizenship to their converts. The territorial conflict is a matter of internal Israeli politics whose resolution only directly affects citizens of Israel. Certainly all who love...
...violations of its soldiers. But Sharfstein fails to present a realistic argument in favor of open criticism of internal Israeli policy. His comparison with criticism of a Jewish religious issue is hollow; his assertion that failure to point out Israel's shortcomings actually hurts Israel is wrong. As a Jew who claims loyalty to Israel, he would do well to direct his criticism in a more constructive...
...issue of "who is a Jew," organizations representing more than 90 percent of American Reform, Conservative and Orthodox Jews have publicly condemned the attempt to redefine criteria for Israeli citizenship...
Clearly, the vast majority of American Jews have decided to apply the higher standard when it comes to defining "who is a Jew." And they are willing to criticize Israel...