Defending pro-Israel stance

(Re: Open letter to Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz from  Jews for Racial & Economic Justice)

To the Editor:

Thank you for your Nov. 9 letter. I have read it carefully. Your divisive letter and over-the-top rhetoric, specifically directed at me, needs some response.

I try to stick to facts. You start out by veering away from facts and immediately go on the attack by saying “your cynical attempt to use the tragedies starting on Oct. 7 to  attack other Jews…” (Italics are mine.) Nothing I’ve done is cynical. At no point have I attacked any other Jew (or any individual, Jewish or not Jewish). It’s unfortunate that you would attempt to create that narrative.

I’m pleased that you referred to the largest slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust as a “horrific attack” but you seem to have omitted any condemnation of Hamas. Again, you veer off the facts by characterizing my “rhetoric” as “divisive and dangerous” without backing up this claim.

You state “it is possible to both condemn Hamas and the deeply unjust policies and practices of the Israeli government.” That is true, and I certainly strongly disagree with some of the policies of the current Israeli government. My love for Israel is not diminished as a result of a government with which I have disagreements, just as my love for my country was not diminished during the Trump administration.

You demand a ceasefire and the release of the hostages. I applaud you for demanding the release of the hostages, since so many opponents of Israel say nothing about them. I disagree with you regarding a ceasefire. There was a ceasefire in place through Oct. 6. Hamas broke the ceasefire on Oct. 7. I mourn all the people whose lost lives.

Israel has determined that it must destroy Hamas in order to prevent a future attack. Hamas has determined that it will destroy Israel. Its charter calls for the end of Israel. And let’s not forget that Hamas uses the residents of Gaza as human shields. Hamas rule over the Gaza Strip is authoritarian. They don’t hold elections. They murder political opponents. And they treat LGBTQ Gazans as well as they treat Israelis.

You claim that I smeared JFREJ (Jews for Racial & Economic Justice) and The Jewish Vote. I looked back at everything I have said and fail to see on what basis you, while again not sticking to facts, use the word “smear” and then called my tactics “shameful.”

It is unfortunate that you characterize my so-called “political jabs” as an attempt to “undermine progressive projects and polarize our neighborhood.” It’s not clear what progressive projects you are referring to, but my consistent “progressive” record on a wide array of issues is unassailable.

The failure of JFREJ, with few exceptions, to speak out on the many antisemitic incidents, particularly on some college campuses, and its failure to even chastise those who have ripped down posters of the hostages, suggests a lack of concern over those issues.

I certainly respect your right to say what you want, even if incorrect. Based on what you have said in your letter, as well as the public statements of JFREJ on social media, I have concluded the following:

• I think your grief over the deaths of large numbers of people on both sides is sincere and that you truly mourn their deaths.

• I believe that you are anti-Israel and your consistent and repeated criticism of Israel, and not so much Hamas, proves it to me.

• I think your failure to directly and specifically condemn Hamas speaks volumes of your general outlook. I hope this clears up some of your concerns.

Jeffrey Dinowitz
Assemblyman