By Jack Saltzberg
It started out innocently. I saw a blogger post Rabbi Shmuley Boteach’s oped in the Jerusalem Post about Jewish students ‘apathy and ignorance’ hindering the war against the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement.
Then I looked closer at the man’s website. He’s an American Jew living in Jerusalem, but he’s 100% pro-BDS. I felt compelled to write to him… to get clarity as to the juxtapositions of his posting Rabbi Boteach’s piece while being pro-BDS.
The following email exchange ensued:
Jack Saltzberg
Shalom, I’m trying to get clarity about your site. On the one hand you post Rabbi Shmuley Boteach’s article and on the other hand you post Occupied Palestine. Could you please give me some clarity? Thanks
Manopeace [Steve Amsel]
My post was to show the wrongs of Boteach and his ilk.
Saltzberg
Got it. Thanks for the clarity. We are obviously on completely different sides. Have a great day!
Manopeace
Sides are good or we would never speak to anyone about anything. Kol Tov : ) [‘Be well’ in Hebrew]
Saltzberg
Funny. I’ll remind my wife of that next time we argue. Unfortunately, sides aren’t good when one side wants the other side not to exist. Gam lacha [‘Same to you’ in Hebrew]
Manopeace
I NEVER advocated ‘your’ side to not exist. I am a Jew in Jerusalem…. not an enemy.
Saltzberg
I NEVER stated that you did. However, the establishment of BDS from its roots to modern culture was created by people, groups, and countries that don’t want Israel to exist.
Manopeace
Not wanting the occupation of the West Bank and not wanting Israel to exist are not the same. WE are better than that … time to prove it.
Saltzberg
What do YOU think [BDS co-founder] Omar Barghouti wants?
Manopeace
Full Freedom for his people ….. to live side by side with ours in two democratic states. It’s possible.
Saltzberg
Two questions, if you will:
Do “his people” include ALL of the descendants of ALL of the Arabs who fled (voluntarily or otherwise) during the war in 1948?
What would you say if I showed you that Barghouti does not want two states sitting side by side, but rather one state that would ultimately become an Arab/Muslim majority?
Manopeace
Question 1: I have no idea who he includes… Question 2: If that’s the state he wants he won’t get my support!
Saltzberg
So, just for clarity:
Omar Barghouti and BDS leadership, founders, and countries that presently fund BDS include in their demand for “his people” ALL descendants of anyone who left in 1948. Today, that is several million people. [Some estimates at more than 11 million.]
Omar Barghouti and BDS leadership, founders, and countries that presently fund BDS want one thing: a one state solution where Israel implodes and it is taken over by an Arab/Muslim majority.
If I can show you the above, then do you change your mind about BDS?
Manopeace
Not all [sic] all what I want. [I believe Manopeace meant “Not at all what I want.”]
Saltzberg
I don’t understand your line.
Manopeace
No line, just one word ….PEACE
Saltzberg
So, again for clarity, the issues behind the issues are really irrelevant? Just peace. It does not matter to you that the position that you promote is really spearheaded by people who want Israel to implode… just peace?
Just for clarity.
[Manopeace did not reply.]
Saltzberg
If you will, please watch the few second spots of Omar Barghouti. [I sent him a video link.]
In case you didn’t watch it, Barghouti clearly states:
“DEFINITELY. MOST DEFINITELY, WE OPPOSE A JEWISH STATE IN ANY PART OF PALESTINE. … NO PALESTINIAN, RATIONAL PALESTINIAN, NOT A SELLOUT PALESTINIAN, WOULD EVER ACCEPT A JEWISH STATE IN PALESTINE.”
When he refers to Palestine, he pointedly means Palestine as it was before the establishment of Israel. This has been widely documented and is heard in ongoing chants of “Free Palestine from the Jordan to the Sea.”
With that, I’m curious about your take in regard to what you wrote yesterday. Thanks.
Manopeace
I get scores of emails about my blog daily. If I spent as much time on all of them that I already wasted on you I would have no time left for my family.
If you want to know what I think, read my blog! Have a good day.
Saltzberg
It’s interesting that a man of “peace” who is interested in solutions used the term “wasted on you” for one who was trying to get clarity. You have a good day, too.
Manopeace
Just for clarity,
This man of peace served in the Israeli army, pays taxes to the State of Israel and has lived in Jerusalem for over 30 years. Can you say any of the same about yourself?
Saltzberg
It’s interesting that when you were confronted with facts that were antithetical to the position you said you hold, you first countered simply with the word “peace,” then you could not “waste” your time, and now you give me credentials, as if they change the facts that the entire foundation of BDS is really based on Israel’s implosion and being replaced by an Arab/Muslim state.
That said, I’d love your thoughts on what I showed you regarding Omar Barghouti and his desire for the future.
And, just for clarity, this man served in combat in the Israeli army and spent nearly 20 years helping to support the state of Israel. And my children served in the IDF as well.
[Manopeace never responded.]