A New Voice for Israel: Fighting for the Survival of the Jewish Nation

Author(s): Jeremy Ben-Ami

Judaica

Many Americans who care about Israel's future are questioning whether the hard-line, uncritical stances adopted by many traditional pro-Israel advocates really serve the country's best interests over the long-term. Moderate Jeremy Ben-Ami, founder of J Street, the new pro-Israel, pro-peace political movement, punctures many of the myths that have long guided our understanding of the politics of the American Jewish community and have been fundamental to how pro-Israel advocates have pursued their work. These myths include: - that leaders of established Jewish organizations speak for all Jewish Americans when it comes to Israel- that being pro-Israel means you cannot support creation of a Palestinian state - that American Jews vote for candidates based largely on their support of Israel - that talking peace with your enemies demonstrates weakness - that allying with neoconservatives and evangelical Christians is good for Israel and good for the Jewish community. Ben-Ami, whose grandparents were first-generation Zionists and founders of Tel Aviv, tells the story of his own evolution toward a more moderate viewpoint. He sketches a new direction for both American policy and the conduct of the debate over Israel in the American Jewish community.

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"Provides an arsenal of logistical and moral arguments stressing that not only is Israel's occupation over another people a threat to the Zionist dream and American interests in the region, but that it also runs counter to rabbinic values...Ben-Ami's analysis of the American Jewish vote and his fervent plea for a new voice reads like a compelling last call."--"The Washington Post" "A clarion call for American reasonableness in the Middle East...With the Arab Spring, the United States has a chance for a new beginning in the region. But that will require Washington to adopt a more balanced policy. Maybe, just maybe, J Street will help create the political space to enable that to happen."--Nick Kristof, "The New York Times" "A New Voice for Israel" is a gripping family story, a shrewd analysis of American and Mideast politics and a rousing call to action. Most of all it is a book animated by deep love of Israel. I defy anyone to read it with an open mind and believe otherwise."--Peter Beinart, Senior Political Writer, "The Daily Beast" "The author convincingly establishes his case that a two-state solution may be the only way to preserve Israel as a democratic homeland for the Jews...Certain to provoke strong reactions from supporters and detractors, this is a must-read for anyone with a stake--or even an interest--in this difficult issue."--"Kirkus" "Argues for nuance rather than rigidity... Most important, Ben-Ami rejects the luxury of pessimism, the laziness of giving up on Israeli-Palestinian peace. His idealism consists not in idealizing Israel (or vilifying it) but of working to make it a better place."--Gershom Gorenberg, "The American Prospect" "Jeremy Ben-Ami has articulated a clear-sighted, important argument for why it is time to rewrite the 'rulebook' that governs the conversation on Israel. Time is running out on a two-state solution. Ben-Ami issues a clarion call for more focused, determined U.S. efforts to promote peace between Israel and Palestine.

JEREMY BEN-AMI is the founder and president of J Street. He has been profiled in The Atlantic, The Washington Post, CQ Weekly, and The New York Times. During his 25-year career in government, politics, and communications, Ben-Ami has served as President Bill Clinton's deputy domestic policy adviser and as national policy director on Howard Dean's presidential campaign. He was one of 50 'People of the Decade' selected in 2010 by Ha'aretz, the influential Israeli daily newspaper, and the Jerusalem Post included him in its list of the 50 Most Influential Jews in the world. He lives in Washington DC, USA.

Introduction The Pioneers and the Builders The Fighters Born in the USA Sixty Seconds in Santa Fe The Loudest Eight Percent Ending the Conflict The Crossroads of Politics and Policy on Israel Generation Oy Five Million Jews, One Opinion? Re-Writing the Rules What Becomes of Tel Aviv in 2109? America's Stake in Ending the Conflict Giving Voice to Our Values Why Not?

General Fields

  • : 9780230341661
  • : Palgrave Macmillan
  • : Palgrave Macmillan
  • : 0.429
  • : 01 October 2012
  • : 242mm X 5mm X 22mm
  • : United Kingdom
  • : 01 January 2013
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : 272
  • : 327.7305694
  • : Paperback
  • : Jeremy Ben-Ami