The destruction in Gaza: Dissent in the Jewish community

[NameOfBeast]

We are members of the South African Jewish Community. While we recognise the existence of communal structures, we are distressed that they purport to speak for us and the many Jews who are uncomfortable with the destruction in Gaza, claiming one collective view for the entire community. Given the divergence of opinion within the community, their approach is irresponsible and we are forced to respond.

Reaching a negotiated settlement between Israelis and Palestinians is an extremely difficult challenge as it is and the attack on Gaza moves us further away from this goal. We also call on the Jewish Board of Deputies not to exacerbate local tensions with statements that demonstrate a lack of compassion for Palestinian lives.

http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71619?oid=114041&sn=Detail

 

[Glock26]

Oh look. Not everyone in a massive group of people have the same opinions.
Shock horror!
Run, hide! The world is ending. There are some who don't agree!


the end is nigh! The end is nigh!



Where were we again?.....

 

[JK8]

Oh look. Not everyone in a massive group of people have the same opinions.
Shock horror!
Run, hide! The world is ending. There are some who don't agree!


the end is nigh! The end is nigh!



Where were we again?.....

You were running around like a headless chicken.

 

[Xarog]

Oh look. Not everyone in a massive group of people have the same opinions.

Which is probably why one part of the group got a bit peeved when the other half of the group decided to speak for everyone.

Where were we again?.....

I think we were at the part where some people were annoyed with other people putting words in their mouth. Something legitimate to be upset about, don't you think?

 

[Alan]

It's called the Middle East Conflict thread for a reason

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=151672

 

[Xarog]

Yes, and a group of people in South Africa trying to claim that they speak for everyone within South Africa is a South African issue, even if the contents of the claim has to do with another region.

 

[Glock26]

The Govt speaks for you. They represent South Africans, even if many of us here don't always agree with what they say.
Same thing here. The Jewish Board of Deputies, Zionist Federation and Chief Rabbi are appointed to speak on behalf of the community. That doesn't mean they expect everyone to agree with them.
I think you will find the same thing with every other aspect of your lives, from Sports associations down to your school board.
So where is the issue again?

G26

 

[general_koffi]

Damn, I thought Gaza really had been destroyed. I was about to break out the champagne and book a kibbutz.

Reaching a negotiated settlement between Israelis and Palestinians is an extremely difficult challenge as it is and the attack on Gaza moves us further away from this goal.

Have these people forgotten that rockets from Gaza have killed three thousand Israeli's since 2001?

Screw a negotiated settlement while that goes on. If you want lasting peace, you should have prepared for war.

 

[Xarog]

The Govt speaks for you. They represent South Africans, even if many of us here don't always agree with what they say.
Same thing here. The Jewish Board of Deputies, Zionist Federation and Chief Rabbi are appointed to speak on behalf of the community. That doesn't mean they expect everyone to agree with them.
I think you will find the same thing with every other aspect of your lives, from Sports associations down to your school board.
So where is the issue again?

G26

The South African government has a mandate to speak for the people in the country because there was a popular vote which in turn put the current regime in power. Thus, they are entitled to speak for the state of South Africa.

On the other hand, the JBD, ZF and Chief Rabbis are part of organisations with voluntary membership. They are only entitled to speak for their members, and no one else. It was entirely wrong of them to speak on behalf of an entire community when the large majority of that community are not members of their organisations.