A Reckless Act in the Senate on Iran

[Josiah]

"A Reckless Act in the Senate on Iran" is the title of the lead editorial in today's New York Times and I tend to agree. The Jewish lobby in DC seems squarely behind Netanyahu. I somehow thought the Jewish American community would have had a more nuanced view on matters involving Iran.

 

[AZ Jim]

I don't mean to cause controversy with this or offend anyone but as I see it the Jewish lobby is no different than any other religion. They blindly stick together regardless of the issue if they feel somehow threatened. Muslims, Christians do too. Allegiance to any religion over affairs of state is a slippery slope and we're slowly sliding down it.

 

[Shalimar]

In Canada, the Jewish lobby is predominantly Zionist, but the cries of not in my name among moderate Jews is becominglouder. Hopefully after Harper is gone, the Zionist slant of our foreign policy will dissipate as well. Funnily, our 'state church' is looked on as an enemy of Israel,by Zionists, because of it' s boycott policy. Rather a reversal from the norm.

 

[Josiah]

In Canada, the Jewish lobby is predominantly Zionist, but the cries of not in my name among moderate Jews is becominglouder. Hopefully after Harper is gone, the Zionist slant of our foreign policy will dissipate as well. Funnily, our 'state church' is looked on as an enemy of Israel,by Zionists, because of it' s boycott policy. Rather a reversal from the norm.

Would you please explain what you mean by "state church" and "boycott policy"?

 

[Shalimar]

State church is a pun referring to,the United Church of Canada, a Protestant denomination which concerns itself far less with Chrstian dogma than social issues. They had a moderator , that is the head of the church who is gay. H may still be serving, I can't recall. Anyway, the UCC, believes that Israel's treatment of the Palestinians merits sanctions, and boycotts all products made in Israel. Parishioners are encouraged to do the same.

 

[Josiah]

State church is a pun referring to,the United Church of Canada, a Protestant denomination which concerns itself far less with Chrstian dogma than social issues. They had a moderator , that is the head of the church who is gay. H may still be serving, I can't recall. Anyway, the UCC, believes that Israel's treatment of the Palestinians merits sanctions, and boycotts all products made in Israel. Parishioners are encouraged to do the same.

Thanks Shalimar, How significant an institution is the UCC?

 

[Shalimar]

Josiah, UCC is probably more significant as a moral compass in Canadian society than as a church per se, as we move further and further into a national secular identity. It is viewed as very forward thinking, tolerant, and willing to be verbally sanctioned by Zionist factions and other groups that feel it' s policies on various subjects to be inappropriate. Perhaps, in some small way it mitigates for some of us, the increasing right wing stance of our Prime Minister, who is a right wing Evangelical Christian with all that entails. His unqualified support of Bibi, and insistence that we are a warrior nation is a cause of concern to liberal thinking Canadians, as do his blatherings on refusing to believe climate change exists, or there are problems with the plan to ship oil down B.C, coast. We need UCC and other respected institutions to speak up to counteract his firewall mentality.

 

[Warrigal]

If the UCC is similar to the UCA (Uniting Church in Australia) it is an amalgam of the Methodist and Presbyterian churches. In Australia it is the third largest denomination after Anglicans and Catholics. UCA is also very concerned about social issues and is generally (but not uniformally) progressive.

I'm a member of the UCA and the term "state church" would have to be a very ironic label. I'm assuming that the same would be true for the UCC.

 

[Shalimar]

Yes, DW, that was the whole point behind my not so subtle dig.

 

[Debby]

I don't mean to cause controversy with this or offend anyone but as I see it the Jewish lobby is no different than any other religion. They blindly stick together regardless of the issue if they feel somehow threatened. Muslims, Christians do too. Allegiance to any religion over affairs of state is a slippery slope and we're slowly sliding down it.

Except the Jewish lobby is extremely well organized and strong in the American government and can influence who is appointed to which position. Anytime 'Israel' comes up in the discussion, AIPAC is there.

 

[Debby]

State church is a pun referring to,the United Church of Canada, a Protestant denomination which concerns itself far less with Chrstian dogma than social issues. They had a moderator , that is the head of the church who is gay. H may still be serving, I can't recall. Anyway, the UCC, believes that Israel's treatment of the Palestinians merits sanctions, and boycotts all products made in Israel. Parishioners are encouraged to do the same.

Actually I think the boycott movement is predominantly a European phenom isn't it? It's referred to as the BDS movement which stands for

Boycott (all products made by any Israeli company located in the Occupied Territories and also to boycott all cultural and intellectual organizations that support or promote the continuing oppression of the Palestinian people)

Divest (divestment by any who hold or provide funding for any Israeli company that is complicit in the oppression or maintenance of oppression of the Palestinian peoples)

Sanction (to levy sanctions against Israeli companies who profit/benefit by the continuing oppression of the Palestinian people)

The above are being used to try and put enough economic and cultural pressure on Israel to force them to begin dealing fairly and honestly with the Palestinian people so that they can begin to have a real life and an opportunity to develop their own country and culture. Rough paraphrase but it gives you the idea. More info can be read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boycott,_Divestment_and_Sanctions

This isn't something that you will hear the Western media talking about as there is enough Israeli support here and control that media outlets just 'don't' talk about it. You're more likely to hear that individuals or groups like the United Church are talking it up.