Blago and the Smell Test

I have recently sent an email to some of my colleagues in Illinois and asked for their feedback on the following.

There seems to be sufficient evidence that as a politician, Blago is rather “slimy.”

That being said, I am a little concerned that his impeachment trial might be a “Kangaroo Court.”

“Justice, Justice shall you pursue,” says the Torah. Perhaps this could be interpreted, “Justice for the good guys and justice for the slime balls.”

I have seen too many cases where our justice system has been corrupted by politics. There are numerous examples here in NC. The most egregious example of which I am aware was the political prosecution, conviction and jailing of the former governor of Alabama Don Siegelman. The Seigelman case was profiled on 60 minutes and on MSNBC. More that 50 former state Attorney Generals wrote a letter to the Justice Department saying that this case did not pass the smell test. Scott Horton in Vanity Fair has written brilliantly on this miscarriage of justice. Siegelman was eventually released by the Circuit Court pending appeal.

So to those in the know in Illinois I ask. Does the Impeachment trial of Blago pass the smell test or is it another example of the justice system being used for political gain?

Hamas, Gaza and Israel

In December the founder of Rabbis For Human Rights, Rabbi David Forman, told us that the problem with being a Jew in Israel was that Israel had the problem of protecting its bodily security, while also preserving its soul. Unfortunately , the recent war with Hamas points this out in a stark way. Israel responded only after years of shelling from Gaza, and yet the destruction and the loss of civilian life in Gaza is tragic. The loss of life there is something for which we as Jews are deeply sorry.

Now that the cease fire has taken hold, we hope that it will continue. We are aware that Hamas has announced that it will rearm and will eventually start this madness again. At that time, Israel will once again be forced to act in self-defense to protect its citizens against acts of terrorism;

Hamas desires that it borders with Israel be open without any restrictions on what it can bring in. Of course, Israel is concerned about the continued smuggling of weapons and thus Israel will continue to control its own border with Gaza as well as the coast and airspace. The closures of Gaza, which do not include humanitarian aid, have been done in response to the firing of rockets on southern Israel.

Let us not forget that Egypt also has a border with Gaza, and Israel has absolutely no control over that border. It is Egypt’s choice to keep it closed. The eight mile border with Egypt is also where Hamas has dug 500 tunnels to smuggle weapons into the Gaza Strip. Someone who holds Israel solely responsible for closures in Gaza simply does not understand this fact.

Israel has now withdrawn once again from every square inch of Gaza. The people of Gaza can now choose to rebuild their country or to continue the acts of terrorism by firing more rockets into southern Israel. Let us hope that they will chose peace this time.

Israel actually went out of its way by not only allowing the passage of humanitarian supplies but also supplying fuel and power to Gaza. There is nothing in international law that requires a country to encourage economic activity in an entity that is ruled by a regime that is officially dedicated to its destruction and commits acts of war against its citizens. The combination of humanitarian supplies through the Israel-Gaza border and massive smuggling of foodstuffs through tunnels under the Egypt-Gaza border kept Gaza’s population adequately supplied.

The moral responsibility for the suffering in Gaza lies squarely with Hamas, which has rejected the conditions of the Quartet (U.S., U.N., EU and Russia) to engage with Hamas: accepting the previous agreements between the PLO and Israel; recognizing Israel (as the PLO had done) and renouncing violence. Israel made clear that it too would engage with Hamas if it accepted those very basic conditions. Indeed, Israel has encouraged economic development and international aid to the PA-controlled West Bank since PA president Mahmoud Abbas has long accepted the three conditions and has acted to prevent hostile acts against Israel.

It is my hope that the new Administration will work actively to make this cease fire durable and sustainable. In some way, the international community will now need to step up and insure that Hamas will be prevented from rebuilding its terrorist infrastructure. This is especially true of their capability to launch rockets and mortars against Israel. Such an inability on the part of Hamas would cause the efforts of all to be focused on the long-term improvement of daily living conditions for the people of Gaza.

If the day should come when Hamas must ends the rocket and mortar attacks against Israel, recognizes Israel’s right to exist, renounces violence, and agrees to accept previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians, I do believe that Israel will make painful concessions for peace. Thought it seems now to be quite far away, I still believe that a two state solution might people possible. I still pray for the day when and Israel and a Palestine will live side by side with in peace and security.

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom, wrote a prayer which ended as follows.

“May the day come soon when the people of Sderot and the people of Gaza will live together in peace. no longer fighting one another, but helping one another to live in freedom and dignity. That day will come. It could be a hundred years away or it could be today. It's up to Hamas and the countries that give it arms. And for the sake of Palestinian children, and Israeli children, Let it be today!

But in the meanwhile we say,
Beloved G-d - The G-d we worship - The G-d of life who told us to sanctify life
Al Rahman, the G-d of compassion - The G-d of Avraham, Ibrahim, father of our several faiths
Show us the way to live your way.
The way of Salaam,
The way of Shalom.
The way of Peace.”

To which we all say, “Amen!”

My Talking Points on Israel

Those of us who are pro Israel and pro peace should:

1. Encourage the new Administration to work actively to support a durable and sustainable cease-fire in Gaza, as soon as possible, that prevents Hamas from retaining or rebuilding its terrorist infrastructure, including the capability to launch rockets and mortars against Israel, and thereby allowing for the long-term improvement of daily living conditions for the people of Gaza.
2. Reiterate that Hamas must end the rocket and mortar attacks against Israel, recognize Israel’s right to exist, renounce violence, and agree to accept previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.
3. Affirm that we believe strongly that the lives of innocent civilians must be protected and all appropriate measures should be taken to diminish civilian casualties and that all involved should continue to work to address humanitarian needs in Gaza.
4. Call upon the United States government to encourage efforts that will result in the release of Gilad Shalit, kidnapped by Hamas in June 2006, as quickly as possible.
5. Reiterate our strong support for a just and sustainable resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict achieved through negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority in order to ensure the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders, and a viable, independent, and democratic Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with the State of Israel.
6. Express vigorous support and unwavering commitment to the welfare, security, and survival of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state with secure borders, and recognize its right to act in self-defense to protect its citizens against acts of terrorism.

On Bernie Madoff and Jews

Rabbi Marc Gellman has recently written his last article for Newsweek. He is an outstanding rabbi and I rarely disagree with him. I will miss his voice at Newsweek.

In his last column, Rabbi Gellman wrote:

"One of the very worst things you did has to do with the Jews. You are responsible for reviving the "Jew game." I heard of the Jew game from a boy who became a man last Saturday. I asked him once if he had ever experienced anti-Semitism in school."

Up I this point I found myself in agreement with the article. At this point, I found myself saddened. I think that Marc has gone into the Galut insecurity mode of "Mah Yomru Hagoyim? What will the non Jews say?"

Frankly, I am not all that concerned about an increase in anti Semitism as a result of Madoff. Anti Semites are going to hate us no matter what and I am not a fan of a very large organization that has outlived its usefulness and seeks to find anti Semites under every rock while it pays its CEO a huge salary.

Here is what I wish Marc had wrote. "One of the very worst things you did has to do with the Jews. We are a people who constantly have had to struggle with the challenges of both persecution and assimilation. Your shenanigans have made this task even more difficult. Many of the charitable foundations from whom you have stolen were dedicated to strengthening Israel and the Jewish people. Many were dedicated to helping kids go to Israel and to Jewish education.

We live in a time when many very wealthy Jewish philanthropists are finding the cause of Jewish education to be "non sexy." As a result, they are seeking different venues for their money, primarily in the field of more universal concerns. In so doing, they have given up on educating Jews for the next generation.

Many of the foundations from whom you stole Bernie still found support for Jewish education to be worthwhile. As a result, you have done great damage to our people and made the tasks of those who in support of the Jewish community and especially in support of Jewish education much more difficult. Thus Bernie, you have done great damage not only to our people and but also to our future.

You have betrayed us in a vile way. Your ultimate punishment will come from God.

My daughter Maital on Gaza

Inflammatory Comments Fuel the Fire
Maital Guttman

With family living in Israel and with two cousins currently serving in the Israeli army, I have been watching the situation carefully. It is heartbreaking. It is tragic. Innocent people on both sides are suffering. But now is not the time for inflammatory remarks. Now is not the time to callously throw around words like "genocide." Now is not the time to point fingers at only one side, without taking a critical look at what both sides are doing. I'm afraid that this only adds fuel to the fire, in a time when we should all be self-critical, to look at the facts on the ground, and call for an end to violence on both sides. At the end of the day, I believe that the Palestinian people are suffering the most, but the blame cannot be placed solely on Israel, but on the Hamas leadership as well

In 2005, my Israeli cousin and friends attended a peace rally which called for withdrawal from Gaza. Israelis believed that the Palestinian people have the right to govern themselves. It was a hopeful time, and was the beginning of the end of the occupation. A year later, my cousin was in the army, and was pulling his own Israeli people out of their homes in Gaza. The hope was that this would be the first step towards peace.

Sadly, this did not happen. I remember the shock and dismay Israelis felt when Gazans voted Hamas into power. In July 2006, Hamas leaders issued this statement: "The annihilation of the Jews here in Palestine is one of the most splendid blessings for Palestine. This will be followed by a great blessing, Allah be praised, with the establishment of a Caliphate that will rule the land and will be pleasing to men and God."

Contrast this with the statement made by Israel's Foreign Minister recently: "While confronting Hamas, Israel continues to believe in the two-state solution and remains committed to negotiations with the legitimate Palestinian Authority in the context of the peace process."

Whose leadership, then, is outwardly calling for a genocide?

Since taking power, Hamas has worsened the situation for the Palestinian people. Hundreds of Palestinians have been murdered by fellow Palestinians. In 2007, at least 344 Palestinians were killed by their own people. One wonders why a Palestinian life is worth more when it is taken by Israeli soldier? Why is there no outrage when Hamas calls for the public to serve as human shields for terrorists as it did earlier this year?

Since the Israeli withdrawal in 2005, about 6,500 rockets have been fired into Israel, largely at
nearby Sderot. Children became used to hearing the alarm and having 15 seconds to run to a shelter. If Mexican terrorists (or worse, the Mexican government) fired an average of 40 rockets on San Diego daily, would the US not have the right and responsibility to protect her people? The same is true for Israel, which has tried negotiations and waiting for more than two years. But Hamas ended the cease-fire and also now is getting more powerful rockets that reach further into Israel. Israel had no choice but to respond. Every country has a right and obligation to protect its people.

With that being said, I am greatly saddened by the numbers of innocent Palestinians killed. I can assure you that the last thing Israel wants is to send her young soldiers into harms way, unless absolutely necessary. I can assure you this is not meant to be an attack on Palestinians, but on the terrorist organization that is Hamas. Humanitarian aid, food, and ambulances are allowed into Gaza, and I consider it my responsibility as an Israeli and a Jew to hold Israel accountable, and to make sure that it does all it can to avoid a humanitarian crisis.

To be honest, I am not sure what the end result will be. I fear that in an attempt to take out the terrorist infrastructure that fires rockets into Israel, that the destruction, trauma, and loss of life will only breed more hatred. I am especially concerned for the Palestinian children whose trauma I fear will lead them towards extremism.

In the end, I believe the average people on both sides want peace. I must believe this to be so. I dream of a time when our people can come together, play sports, travel to each other's countries, and have two states living side by side peacefully. I don't think this can happen without brave and forward-thinking leadership, willing to do what may be unpopular for the ideal of peace. I pray for the Palestinian people and for my own people in Israel, and I challenge us all to do what we can to quench the fires of misunderstanding and hatred, rather than to fuel them.

It is so easy to blame one side or another, and I know our communities and families may do so easily, but we are a generation that believes we can make a difference, that has travelled and been able to see life from another's perspective, and that still holds onto the ideals that one day we may all sit together in peace. Inshallah. Shalom.

Maital Guttman is an independent Documentary filmmaker in Hollywood.

Reflections on the Election, Israel and Partisan Politics

I have now lived in North Carolina for over thirteen years. As one who cares passionately about the State of Israel, I have lobbied on behalf of Israel with North Carolina senators and congressmen. On this issue, I have been fortunate to develop very good relationships with both Republicans and Democrats. I have managed to become friends with elected officials with whom on many issues other than Israel, I have great disagreement.

While the majority of our congregation tends to vote Democratic, I was also diligent during the campaign season, to examine Senator McCain’s record and position paper on Israel. The bottom line was that I found both Senator McCain and Obama to be very Pro-Israel and I was very careful not to be drawn into discussions about which one would be better for Israel. Frankly, I felt that no matter which candidate won, Israel would find a friend in the White House.

My feeling is that Israel needs all the friends in Congress it can get. Occasionally, there is a congressman or a senator who is indeed anti-Israel; but thank God that these seem to be few and far between.

For the first time in recent memory, North Carolina was a battleground state in the Democratic Party primary. Before the primary, Senator Barack Obama came to Greensboro and asked to meet with three members of the clergy. I, along with an African American minister and a Presbyterian minister, were fortunate to spend some twenty minutes with the senator. I thought it was unique that on his first trip to Greensboro, he would reach out to clergy in such a way.

Before our meeting with Senator Obama, I contacted the Leadership of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and asked them if there was any particular question that they wanted me to ask the senator. The answer was that they were interested in knowing who the Senator felt were his key Middle East advisors. I proceeded to ask the question and the very next day received a list of six people who the Obama campaign viewed as their closest advisors on Israel. I passed these on to the national leadership. I also had an opportunity to talk with Obama about issues concerning health care and the elderly.

One month before the general elections, a political analyst in Washington, DC told me that North Carolina would go for John McCain. In the end, however, North Carolina was to be a battleground state in the general election and Obama would win by some 12,000 votes. This was the first time the state has gone democratic since 1976.

Therefore, it was with great disappointment that I observed that the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) was trying to make Senator Obama’s support of Israel appear to be questionable. They did this through a fear campaign and innuendo. The fact that Senator Obama once spoke at a dinner honoring a Palestinian or once knew somebody who had some sort of connection to a more pro-Palestinian view point was used by the RJC as a way to gain Jewish votes for McCain.

This scare tactic was most significant in the state of Florida. Despite all of the efforts of the RJC to increase the amount of Jews voting for McCain, Jews once again voted overwhelmingly Democratic. They learned to be comfortable with Obama on Israel and the Middle East and, in my opinion, never became comfortable with Sarah Palin as the Vice Presidential nominee.

What disturbs me the most, is that we had two very Pro-Israel candidates running for President and yet the RJC still seemed to make Israel into a “wedge” issue. Quite frankly, this amounted to their making an issue where there was not one and was done in the most selfish, partisan way. God forbid that there is a candidate who really is not a supporter of Israel and her security.

Until that time, as long as both Democratic and Republican candidates support Israel, it is very dangerous to use Israel as a grossly partisan political tool. It is my hope that in the future those in the Jewish community, whether they be Democrats or Republicans, will refrain from unwarranted and highly partisan attacks on candidates because of perceived or made up issues regarding Israel. Such attacks do not serve the legitimate and long term interests of Israel and her security.

My Friend Kay

My friend, Kay. We served on the board of the NCCJ together and we worked out at the same gym. One day shortly after the mayor of Greensboro decided not to run for re-election, I was sitting on a stationary bicycle next to Kay. Kay had told me that she came from a political family and that her uncle had been the governor of Florida. I said to Kay, “Why don’t you run for Mayor?” Her response was, “Being Mayor doesn’t interest me, but I am thinking about running for something else.”

A few weeks later, Kay announced her intention to run for the North Carolina State Senate. She won that election easily and was re-elected several times.

In the past few years, I have become much concerned about some of the votes taken by United States Senator Elizabeth Dole; particularly votes concerning veteran’s affairs, the war in Iraq and children’s health care. Every time one of her votes bothered me, I sent an email to Kay encouraging her to run against Senator Dole. Each time, I received a response from Kay that she would indeed consider the request.

Kay came very close to announcing her candidacy a year ago and at the last minute, decided that she would not run. Apparently, she did not think that Dole could be beaten or that she would be able to raise enough money as a candidate. Legend has it that the day after she decided not to run, Kay received several calls from prominent national Democratic Party politicians pledging their support should she run.

She changed her mind and after a significant primary challenge, started the campaign against Senator Dole more than 10 points behind in the polls. At this time, I helped the campaign write her policy statement concerning the state of Israel.

However, it soon would come out that Senator Dole in 2006 had only been present in our state for thirteen days. Kay’s campaign ads were indeed magnificent, with two southern elderly gentleman saying that Dole was 93, meaning 93rd in effectiveness within the US Senate.

At the end of the campaign, Senator Dole released a vicious attack ad on my friend Kay implying that she was “Godless.” Having known Kay for many years, I knew Kay as a former board member of her Presbyterian church and as a Sunday school teacher. She is a devout Christian. The ad seemed to have backfired.

On election night, the media declared my friend Kay to have won very early on in the evening. One of Kay’s favorites sayings is: “At least my husband can vote for me!” (Bob Dole is not registered in the state). Another was that she wanted to give Senator Dole “a pair ruby red slippers and send her back to Kansas.”

The night before the election at Kay’s request, I organized a telephone conference call with Kay and her family. The call was in the form of a “prayer meeting.” Kay and her family were all over the state. On the call were Kay’s two Presbyterian ministers, an African American Baptist minster who is a good friend, and me. We prayed that God would bless Kay and give strength to her no matter what the outcome of the election. We also assured her that as her friends, we would be with her then and in the future. For all of us, it was indeed a very spiritual moment.

I was privileged to be at the victory party for Kay as she gave her victory speech after the election. For me, it was indeed one of the more exciting moments of the entire political campaign season. On January 6, I was privileged to attend her swearing in ceremony and to say a hearty “Mazal Tov!” to her.

They say that all politics is local. Kay is an outstanding human being and humanitarian. She is a good friend of Israel and the Jewish people. I think she will make a wonderful United States Senator and I am indeed privileged to call Senator Kay Hagan, my friend.