American Jews to Assist Middle East Peace Process
Rabbi Arthur Waskow | Foreign Policy in Focus | November 2009
Within the United States, the Gaza War has led not only to renewed calls for peace by the U.S. government, but also to the emergence of numerous pro-active, public peace movements. The American Jewish community is no longer monolithic in its stance on Israel. Independent peace groups are receiving increased support. Rabbis of Reform Judaism are applauding Obama's initiative to curtail settlement projects, which has brought them into unprecedented opposition with the Israeli government. This notwithstanding, greater efforts must still be made to support the Obama administration at home in order to finally secure an end to the conflict in the Middle East. There are two camps in the United States that follow developments in the Middle East with sufficient passion for the region to make a difference by supporting Obama's visionary undertaking. On the one hand, there is Big Oil, which appears to have resigned itself to the situation in view of the profits to be made. The second camp is made up of diverse religious and ethnic groups whose convictions compel them to embrace peace initiatives in the region. If these communities united behind Obama, they could garner sufficient support among the America public to enhance the chances for success of his Middle East policy.
Furthermore, the creation of such an Abrahamic Grand Alliance in the United States would hold great promise in terms of public relations. It could draw members from a variety of groups. For one, there are the Muslim Americans who are beginning to become more active politically. Then there are the independent Jewish organizations such as Americans for Peace Now, along with protestant and catholic groups active in peace promotion. Finally, large parts of the Afro-American community could also rally to the cause of peace and self-determination. Together they could provide the domestic support the American President will need in order to effectively pursue the goal of peace in the Middle East. The cooperation of these disparate groups would also provide proof that such a peace is indeed attainable.
This summary was prepared by the Atlantic Community editorial team from "Toward an Abrahamic Peace" published here by Foreign Policy in Focus.
