I never thought the day would come when I would wax nostalgic about Rabbi Alexander Schindler. We are on opposing sides of every issue. I would bet we would even argue about the weather. However, in light of what has happened at the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, I think of the days when he was chairman and the outstanding way he understood and fulfilled his role.
The year was 1977, the American President was the terminally self-righteous Jimmy Carter, and American Middle East Policy was formulated by Zbigniew Brzezinski, who could not disguise his contempt for Israel. Much to everyone's surprise and to the dismay of many American Jews, Menachem Begin was elected Prime Minister of Israel.
Begin was immediately described as a "former
The Conference members are busy grumbling that their new chairman may be too supportive of Benjamin Netanyahu.
There is no question that Begin's election was a major disappointment to Rabbi Schindler, who was on record in support of Labor. Nonetheless, he properly saw his role, and the Presidents' Conference role, as supporters of Israel and its elected leaders. In those days, American Jews did not see themselves as formulators of Israel's domestic and foreign policies, but rather as defenders of the democratic Jewish state. And Rabbi Schindler's deportment was exemplary. He took Begin through the paces, introducing him to the American Jewish leaders, accompanying him to virtually every single meeting with the myriad Jewish religious, social, communal, cultural, and political organizations. His introductions were respectful and he left no doubt that he supported, and was willing to defend, the democratically elected Prime Minister of Israel. His private thoughts were not heard in public. Begin and Schindler joked about the Beginization of the Presidents' Conference and the Schindlerization of the Prime Minister.
Throughout his tenure as chairman, Rabbi Schindler defended Israel and its government. The Camp David agreement was easy enough to defend, but even Begin's commitment to building settlements and enlarging existing ones was explained respectfully by the chairman of the Presidents' Conference.
Today, only a quarter of a century later, Israel's government is still democratically elected, the nation is still in mortal peril, but the Presidents' Conference is crumbling. Instead of bolstering support for Israel, they are busy grumbling that their new chairman may be too supportive of Benjamin Netanyahu. Unfortunately, Rabbi Schindler has contributed to the present state of affairs. After his tenure as chairman ended, he initiated and joined in the vilest criticism of Israel, including public ads scolding the elected leaders of Israel for their domestic and defense policies.
Had he and all subsequent Jewish leaders been more circumspect in their behavior, we would not be at this crossroad.
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attack Israelis and then flee into PA territory should be chased into PA territory, whether Arafat likes it or not. Sub-contracting the fight against terror to Arafat has never worked. Even the Oslo accords themselves authorize Israel to engage in "hot pursuit" of fleeing terrorists.10. Protect Arab allies: Since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority, local Arabs who assisted Israel in the past have, in some cases, been left without adequate protection by the Israeli security forces. Pressure from the PA should not be allowed to compromise Israel's moral responsibility to defend those who risked their lives to aid Israel in various ways.
And finally, Mr. Defense Minister, it is vital that you remind the Prime Minister that Israeli policy must be decided in Jerusalem, not in Washington or Gaza. Foreign pressures must not be allowed to dictate what measures Israel takes to protect its security.
Herbert Zweibon is chairman of Americans For a Safe Israel.
Outpost - 10 - February 1999