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Progressive Jewish Groups Linked to Boycott-Israel Efforts Plan to March in… ‘Celebrate Israel Parade’

Outrage Over Progressive Jewish Groups Linked to Boycott Israel Efforts Marching in Celebrate Israel Parade

The debate gripping the American Jewish community over how kosher it is for Jews to support a boycott of Israel is playing itself out in an unusual manner this weekend.

This Sunday, as supporters of Israel gather in New York City for the annual Celebrate Israel Parade, progressive groups known for their vocal criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and for their frequent support of Palestinian causes will contribute a delegation of marchers.

An ad hoc group of outraged Jewish community leaders has swiftly organized in response – calling itself the Committee for a Pro-Israel Parade – and is protesting the decision of the parade organizer, the UJA-Federation, for including the progressive groups. In an email to supporters provided to The Blaze, the group writes:

Attention, Israel Lovers!

We’re outraged that UJA-Federation is allowing New Israel Fund and other anti-Israel groups to march in the Celebrate Israel Parade. Groups that promote Boycotts, Divestment and Sanctions against Israel should have no place in the parade!

In the email, the committee encourages viewers along the Fifth Avenue parade route to raise the poster seen here:

Outrage Over Progressive Jewish Groups Linked to Boycott Israel Efforts Marching in Celebrate Israel Parade

Poster created by the Committee for Pro-Israel Parade

The Committee is also encouraging activists to: “Bring your Purim groggers and give New Israel Fund and their associated groups a big, loud Bronx cheer when they march by.” A grogger is a noisemaker Jews employ during the Purim holiday when the Book of Esther is read, specifically every time the name of the evil Haman is mentioned. Comparing the left-wing groups with the 5th century B.C. Persian king’s aide who harbored genocidal aims to exterminate the Jews is a strong statement to say the least.

So who are these groups that are eliciting such anger among their coreligionists? The progressive groups planning to march include the New Israel Fund, Ameinu, Americans for Peace Now, B’Tselem USA, Partners for Progressive Israel, and Rabbis for Human Rights-North America. The New Israel Fund [NIF] in a statement says it’s “proud to be marching in the 2012 Celebrate Israel Parade in New York on Sunday, June 3rd as part of a progressive cluster…” It writes:

NIF finds it particularly appropriate to march in celebration of Israel’s “roots of justice, branches of peace” as expressed in its Declaration of Independence.  Our cluster represents those who love Israel and celebrate its essential founding principles of democracy, justice, civil and human rights, freedom and peace. We march in solidarity with those segments of Israeli civil society working to protect and advance these values, as well as with the thousands of Israelis who inspired us last summer by taking to the streets and demanding social justice.

We also congratulate the Jewish Community Relations Council and the UJA-Federation of New York for holding fast to the vision of a parade where Jews of varied political and religious perspectives come together to celebrate Israel, each in our own way and with our own contribution to Israel’s future.

NIF says more than 100 activists will march and accuses its detractors of disseminating “misleading information”:

In response to our participation in the parade, some individuals have circulated misleading information about our beliefs and policies, including falsely alleging that NIF supports global BDS [Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions], and have insinuated that our work for a more just Israel is outside the parameters of the pro-Israel community. As progressives representing a broad segment of the American Jewish community, as well as our colleagues and sister organizations in Israel, we strongly support Israel as the Jewish homeland and reject efforts to question its fundamental right to exist.

While NIF’s statement claims to “reject efforts to question” Israel’s right to exist, at the same time, it puts its money behind groups that support efforts to de-legitimize Israel. Israel National News reports some groups the New Israel Fund bankrolls engage in what many would consider to be anti-Israel activities:

Machsom Watch, Coalition of Women for Peace, Women Against Violence, Social TV, and Mossawa, all of which are organizations funded by the NIF, signed a letter that was sent to the Norwegian Government Pension Fund, urging its divestment from the State of Israel.

Partners for Progressive Israel (Meretz USA), also funded by the NIF, has a section on its website, under the heading “boycott these Settlement products sold in the US,” which lists Israeli products it believes should be boycotted. The products include Ahava cosmetics, SodaStream products and wines from nine Israeli vineyards.

The board of B’Tselem has publicly called for “effective sanctions” against Israel and has produced a video that was shown on college and university campuses worldwide, as part of the annual “Israel Apartheid Week.”

NGO Monitor, a group that follows non-profits operating in Israel and their partner organizations overseas, published a report on NIF in April which said NIF provided $60,000 to +972mag, a website that publishes bloggers who use rhetoric comparing Israeli policies to those under South African apartheid. According to NGO-Monitor:

+972Mag published a cartoon (”The hater in the sky,” Eli Valley, May 14, 2012) depicting Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu raping President Barack Obama and eating his limbs.

NGO-Monitor’s report quoted NIF CEO Daniel Sokatch comparing Israel to Iran. Sokatch wrote “some of what [a long-time NIF donor] saw in Tehran was also happening in Jerusalem: gender segregated buses, the removal of women’s images from the public sphere, laws designed to limit freedom of expression.”

The New Israel Fund and its sister groups invest time and treasure sounding the alarm over the threat to democratic values in Israel as in this New York Times ad buy. Unlike in its neighboring countries, in Israel they are free to make their voices heard. And on Sunday in New York, they will add their controversial voice to the chorus of Israel’s supporters.

Update: A source close to parade organizers tells The Blaze that they made the point that groups favoring the boycott in any way would not be entitled to participate. Parade organizers believe that because the New Israel Fund’s official policy states it opposes and will not fund “global BDS [Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions] activities against Israel,” it should be allowed to march and show its support for Israel. Additionally, according to the Israeli newspaper Ma’ariv (Hebrew link), the NIF has stopped funding the boycott-supporting Coalition of Women for Peace.

Comments (38)

  • barryfadams
    Posted on August 2, 2012 at 2:25am

    Is this all TheBlaze could come up with today? Doesn’t TheBlaze think that the Jewish event at MetLife stadium, with 100,000 attendees celebrating the completion of the Talmud after 71/2 years, merits some coverage?

    Report Post »  
  • OllieK
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 11:55am

    Just as Islam is a fascist organization masquerading as a religion, liberal Jews are simply worshipers at the altar of Progressivism who pretend to be Jewish, probably just to play the antisemitism card if you call them on their radical, anti-Jewish beliefs. Jews have no business being liberals, so these are pretty mixed up people who swoon over failed and silly Marxist ideas. They are unwittingly seeking the collapse of Judaism from within, much as they wish to destroy this country and Israel. Mind boggling.

    Report Post »  
    • progoyim
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 2:39pm

      Israel has already decided the lands they are going to keep .’ NETANYAHU has proposed talks that he knows wont be accepted by PA and expect them to stay in power .this is just another excuses to try to legitimize the occupation and his unilateral action .
      The US needs to start with holding monies from both parites to force a real settlement

      Report Post »  
  • Grace1798
    Posted on June 2, 2012 at 8:08am

    Their minds are taken over by the devil for them to rise up against their own heritage. What a disgrace! God help them to see God’s Truth. I pray God Almighty opens their eyes before it is too late. How could they do such a thing without a thought? So disgusting.

    Report Post » Grace1798  
  • Ringo_Langly
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 11:28pm

    We should all join Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JPFO). They way things are going…..

    Report Post »  
  • oldduffer
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 7:24pm

    Wonder if the gays and lesbian organizations are invited? What about N.O.W.? American Nazi organization and of course the lib. Democrat organization the KKK. If not then we have true descrimination if any of them have applied for a permit. Can’t have favortism here. The Atheist party is missing thier coup de gras on this one.

    Report Post »  
  • progoyim
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 5:04pm

    Should be called celebrate blood sucking leach day because that’s all they have done for the last 60years is to cost the US

    Report Post »  
  • discus02
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 2:39pm

    There is a very big difference between a Jew and a Zionist. Read up on it sometime. Zion is also a name of Israel like Judea!

    Report Post »  
    • Constantine Ivanov
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 4:51pm

      @DISCUS02:
      “Zion is also a name of Israel like Judea,” you said.
      No. You’re wrong: it’s the same as if you said that Kremlin is a name of Russia or Capitol Hill is a name of the USA.

      Zion – O.E. Sion, from Gk. Seon, from Heb. Tsiyon, name of a Canaanite hill fortress in Jerusalem captured by David and called in the Bible “City of David.” It became the center of Jewish life and worship.

      Zionism – “movement for forming (later supporting) a Jewish national state in Palestine,” 1896, from Ger. Zionismus (from Zion + Latin-derived suffix -ismus), first recorded 1886 in “Selbstemancipation,“ by ”Matthias Acher” (pseudonym of Nathan Birnbaum).

      Zionist – 1896 (adj. and noun), from Zion + -ist.

      Report Post » Constantine Ivanov  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:33pm

    Change the street where you are gonna march, but don’t tell the progressive groups.

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
  • NineteenEighty4
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:29pm

    Due to our involvement, they are the strongest military force in the region. Whether or not that is a good thing remains to be seen. As much as we want them to be, they are not Americans. They are not “America East.” They are religious hardliners ready to push us into a religious war we don’t want or need to be in. Point being, Israel is a sovereign nation. They can take care of themselves and they don’t need our help, at least not in the form of superweapons and millions upon millions of dollars each year. We have our own problems and don’t need to be involved in a Zionist conflict.

    Report Post »  
    • Edward53
      Posted on June 2, 2012 at 7:07am

      Let me guess….you’re a Ron Paul supporter? The same Ron Paul who voted with the Democrats to mur**r little babies?

      Report Post »  
  • VoteRightDammit
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:26pm

    “Progressive Jewish Groups” that are AGAINST Israel ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

    W. T. F. ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

    Is it true many Jews have some sort of “I deserve punishment” thing going on in their brains? If not, what OTHER explanation can there be for a Jew opposing their motherland?

    Report Post » VoteRightDammit  
  • BlackCrow
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:25pm

    Lib tards are so funny!

    Report Post » BlackCrow  
  • momrules
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:21pm

    What would people think if the Communist Party USA decided to march in a Tea Party parade? How about we add the Socialist party or SEIU.
    Would you trust them To have America’s best interest at heart?

    This is the exact same thing. The NIF and the others will undermine what they cannot outright destroy.

    God Bless Israel against any and all enemies. I stand with Israel.

    Report Post »  
  • EndTheFedNOW
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:10pm

    When will the Blaze run a story on Bilderberg 2012? Which is going on right now in Chantilly VA.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/30/bilderberg-2012-technocrats-are-rising

    http://www.infowars.com/bilderberg2012/

    Neocons and liberals alike can not deny it anymore. The real news from the BLAZE needs to cover this. But I bet they wont. Cause Beck is a sell out. Him and his private jet and charging thousands of dollars to meet him..

    http://www.bilderbergmeetings.org/participants2012.html
    …..

    Report Post » EndTheFedNOW  
  • Robert Hawk
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:08pm

    …And I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan (Christ; Revelation 2:9)

    Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; Behold I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (Christ; Revelation 3:9)

    Report Post » Robert Hawk  
  • Robert Hawk
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:07pm

    …And I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are of the synagogue of Satan (Christ; Revelation 2:9)
    Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; Behold I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (Christ; Revelation 3:9)

    Report Post » Robert Hawk  
  • RANGER1965
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:02pm

    This is much like Obama marching in a American parade, celebrating patriotism. For him it’s not about the America that is, it’s about the inefficient, socialistic, nation he wants it to be.

    For these pretenders, it’s not about the Israel standing firm against a literal sea of enemies, it’s about surrender, and managing the destruction of a nation and it’s people.

    Like children standing in a lifeboat watching a beautiful luxury liner in the distance. They want that ship for their own, so they kick holes in the lifeboat thinking that they can build a luxury liner from the ruins of the boat they are standing in. Utterly ignorant of the fact that nothing gets built when your too busy just keeping your head above the water.

    Obama and these Jewish betrayers are torn from the same cloth. No critical thinking skills, simplistic reasoning, and arrogance based on emotion.

    These people tear society down, and like the roaches they are, they go hide in the darkness, when it’s time for accountability.

    Pathetic!

    Report Post » RANGER1965  
    • BlackCrow
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:30pm

      I cannot tell you how offended I was whenever Bill Clinton or Obama showed up for a Memorial Day or Veterans Day event. Seeing them at the Tomb of the Unknowns or the Vietnam Memorial makes me want to throw up!

      Report Post » BlackCrow  
    • Baikonur
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 2:13pm

      @BlackCrow
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:30pm
      ‘I cannot tell you how offended I was whenever Bill Clinton or Obama showed up for a Memorial Day or Veterans Day event.’
      *****************
      I feel the same way every day that people like the Blaze contingent and Beck exist. As an American citizen, I am shocked and embarrassed. Of course this hatred and ignorance is protected by our freedom of speech laws, but the incitement surely must be illegal.

      Report Post » Baikonur  
  • Baikonur
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 12:49pm

    There is nothing incongruous about that. One can love a nation but oppose some of its governmental policies.

    Report Post » Baikonur  
    • tzion
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:07pm

      I agree. But boycotting a country’s products because of that disagreement punishes the citizens more than the government.

      Report Post »  
    • Baikonur
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:14pm

      @tzion
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:07pm
      ‘I agree. But boycotting a country’s products because of that disagreement punishes the citizens’
      ****************
      It sends a strong message of international disaproval. I do not agree with the boycott either, but I don’t think that they should be prevented from celebrating in the parade.

      Report Post » Baikonur  
    • Smokey_Bojangles
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:20pm

      Supporting your country’s enemies is treason.Especially if they are invading and killing your people in your own country.

      Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
    • Baikonur
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:52pm

      @Smokey_Bojangles
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:20pm
      ‘Supporting your country’s enemies is treason.’
      ***************
      Arabs are not enemies of Israel, and no Israeli politician who is sane views all Arabs as enemies. Israel exists on land that has been occupied mostly by Arabs and Turks for many centuries–almost two thousand years.

      Israel’s resurrection and founding is controversial and problematic in the Arab world, yes. They were hoping for liberation from centuries-long Ottoman occupation after WW1, and instead received arbitrarily designated borders with a non-Moslem state stuck in-between.

      Their disapproval has nothing to do with Israel’s legitimacy, but with basic unfairness. They have a right to feel the way they do. They also have a right to live where they do.

      I do not support the ‘Right of Return’ but I absolutely think some accommodation is neccessary.

      Report Post » Baikonur  
  • Locked
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 12:46pm

    I honestly don’t see much of an issue with it. One can support Israel and still criticize or take action when their government does something atrocious. It‘s not much different than homeschooling your kids because you don’t trust the government to teach them well – would you say homeschoolers don’t love America just because they think the present government is making bad decisions?

    Then again, I don’t “get” the “I stand with Israel” slogan. Israel’s a fine country… most of the time. But their government commits terrible actions so often that I can’t see anyone supporting them 100% of the time. They’re better than the Palestinian government, but some days you could take out the names and play a swell game of “Who did this: Palestinian terrorists or Israel?”

    Report Post »  
    • Locked
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 12:54pm

      I should say, I understand that when most people say “I stand with Israel,” they mean from a religious perspective. I find that an even worse position to take, as it effectively says that the Israeli government’s actions are all sanctified by God, because this “Israel” is “God’s Israel.”

      There’s no way as a Christian to criticize something if you think God Himself is acting directly through it. And I refuse to believe God is ok with a lot of the Israeli government’s actions (white phosphorous? Air strikes against civilians? Embargos and isolation that spread disease and famine?). Obviously the Palestinian government and terrorists hold some responsibility, but that just lends more credibility to the idea that this Israel and its actions (and its problems) are of man, not of God.

      I stand for Israel’s right to exist. If they remain our allies, we should remain cordial and friendly with them. When they take actions that endanger our country or our interests, we should cool our relationship with them. We should never give ANYONE short of Jesus Himself carte blanche by writing them off as a product of God’s will.

      Report Post »  
    • copatriots
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:06pm

      As mentioned below, I stand with God’s people in Israel…..well, and outside of Israel, for that matter. I have no idea who they are within their country but God surely does. What I do know, however, is that when the proper time comes and the world once again turns on the Jewish people, God alone will save and restore His people Israel.

      Report Post »  
    • Baikonur
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:20pm

      @Locked
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 12:54pm
      ‘I should say, I understand that when most people say “I stand with Israel,” they mean from a religious perspective. I find that an even worse position to take, as it effectively says that the Israeli government’s actions are all sanctified by God, because this “Israel” is “God’s Israel.” ‘
      ***************************
      Most people who ‘stand with Israel’ are uneducated Bible thumpers that have no clue about actual life in Israel today, and wouldn’t understand or like it if they did. They normally dislike American and European Jews, both those currently alive and those that contributed to world culture once upon a time because they mistrust and dislike science, literature, philosophy, and linguistics and never understand humour unless it’s of the ;you know you are a redneck’ type.

      Report Post » Baikonur  
    • RANGER1965
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:22pm

      The Bible seems to indicate that every hand will be turned against Israel in prophecy. That Israel will be a nation hated by the whole world, with no allies, and no hope. Then the people of Israel will turn once again to the Lord and he will be their defender.

      Many Christians believe that this is occuring now, and fear God’s promise that those that bless Israel will be blessed and those that curse Israel will be cursed.

      Your admonition is honorable, and I believe your point is that as Christians we cannot blindly support everything Israel’s goverment does and call it good. Like all goverments they are huge, lumbering things which can make terrible mistakes. So as Christians we should soberly judge Israel’s policies on a case by case basis. That sounds reasonable to me.

      However, significant caution is warranted. Israel is not getting a fair shake in 99% of the media, in colleges, and in the halls of power. What we know of Israel, and it’s policies is often through the filter of organzations that hate Israel. They have an implacable ancient enemy amonst the Arab peoples, and if you are a Bible believing Christian, you know that Israel has always been a thorn in the side of Lucifer, and his hatred for this nation and it’s people is eternal.

      The point is, that making a correct judgement call about Israel requires correct information to base that judgement on. Be wary.

      RANGER

      Report Post » RANGER1965  
    • Locked
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:54pm

      @Ranger

      “Your admonition is honorable, and I believe your point is that as Christians we cannot blindly support everything Israel’s goverment does and call it good. Like all goverments they are huge, lumbering things which can make terrible mistakes. So as Christians we should soberly judge Israel’s policies on a case by case basis. That sounds reasonable to me.”

      That is exactly my point. While I agree Israel often gets put through the grinder when it comes to the media portrayal, the flip-side are people who never question their actions and just say “I stand with Israel.” I, personally, do not see this Israel as the one from prophecy. I could be wrong of course… but I see little that is holy from today’s Israel. Plenty that is good, and some that is bad… but nothing that makes me think this Israel is anything but a product of man, not the Divine.

      Report Post »  
    • Baikonur
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 2:05pm

      @but nothing that makes me think this Israel is anything but a product of man, not the Divine.’

      ******************

      Personally, I like ‘products of man.’ They are beautiful works created by talent, thought, study, work, sacrifice, and good will. Things like inventing the wheel, making fire, writing poetry, painting the first paintings, studying the natural world and inventing medicines to help the sick.

      No god ever matched Michelangelo.

      Report Post » Baikonur  
  • copatriots
    Posted on June 1, 2012 at 12:39pm

    Oh my gosh…….my head is going to explode.

    I stand with God’s Israel. Thankfully, He knows who they are.

    Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:11pm

      These are jews in name only … God knows better.

      Report Post »  
    • beckwasfox
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 1:53pm

      Prove they are Jews in name only. The anti-semitism on this site is sickening!

      Report Post » beckwasfox  
    • Baikonur
      Posted on June 1, 2012 at 2:08pm

      @The anti-semitism on this site is sickening!

      **************

      Lol, so much! These are the exact same porcine beings that would have pogromed the heck out of Russian Jews a hundred years ago if some Cossack version of Glenn with the triple chin and the faux godliness told them to.

      Report Post » Baikonur  

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