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Isi Leibler’s latest column in Yisrael HaYom going further than he has before. This part was what really stood out to me:
It is thus important that we publicize the fact that Beinart’s extremist views are anathema to the vast majority of Israelis as well as American Jews. In this context, while endorsing the principal that the widest range of opinions should partake at the forthcoming Peres Presidential Conference scheduled for June in Jerusalem, the disturbing decision by the organizers to invite Beinart as a keynote speaker, is perplexing and inexplicable. It implies a failure to appreciate the damage that providing such a prestigious platform and legitimizing the status of a Jew promoting an odious campaign explicitly calling for a global boycott of Israeli settlements inflicts on both our self-respect and international standing. Above all, it conveys an utterly confused message to the Obama administration on where Israel itself draws red lines.
It’s talent for Leibler to be able to — in the same sentence, no less! — endorse the idea of an open Zionist discussion and then shut it down.
In Isi Leibler-land there is only one type of Zionist discussion that is tolerated. I’m not criticising Leibler for having is views, though I obviously disagree with him; rather, it’s the fact that he’s actively trying to shut down discussion within the wider Zionist movement. That he’s telling President Peres who is and isn’t Zionist is particularly chutzpadik.
This is a problem on a number of levels. First, because Jewish communities around the world, and we’re no exception, are increasingly taking this view. Second, Leibler is turning himself into Zionist-in-chief, deciding who is and isn’t a Zionist, and who is and isn’t allowed to be part of the community. I’m all for the Zionist community asking for a certain minimum subscription to the ideals of Zionism, but once they’re shown, who is anyone to say “you’re in, you’re not”? The role of organisations like the ZCV and conferences like the President’s Conference is to be a forum of Jewish-Zionist debate, not an echo chamber for just one Zionist flavour.
Third, constricting communal discourse is a sure fire way to disengage people, especially those in my generation. If we have no way of expressing our legitimate Zionist opinions, and our Zionist communities don’t nurture this, where will we go? Either we’ll go outside the institutional framework, or we’ll disengage from Jewish communal activism altogether. That’s bad news for everyone.
Like I said, I have no problem for Mr Leibler to say he believes in X and doesn’t believe in Y. But no one has the right to exclude from the community passionate Zionists who want to be active.
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