Critical of Israel?



At the beginning I want to make it clear that I love Israel and I love and I am proud of my Jewish roots.

Last Christians I spent some time in Tucson, Arizona.  I have some Christian and Jewish friends there and I go to the Reform Synagogue there for the Study and Services.

Last time when I was there we discussed the topic of how could we be critical of Israel and not be called by some name.  Most of us agreed that it would be very difficult. We said that if one was Jewish and anti or critical of Israel one was being called: “self hate Jew.” When one was non-Jewish and was critical of Israel, one was being called “anti-Semite.”  The conclusion of our discussion was that it was almost impossible to be critical of Israel and not be called something that one is not.   


I was in Israel twice. I spend almost six months there. No, I do not consider myself an expert on the Jewish State or situation but I do not think that Israel should be treated differently than any other country.  As the citizen of the U.S., I can be critical of America and not be called: “self hate American.”  A person who looks at America can be critical of America and still not be called “anti-American.”  

Why we cannot do this same thing about Israel.  

How come the Prime Minister of Israel was able to come to American and teach our president on foreign policies?  How come he was able to talk to our Congress and criticize our President?  And yet, I didn’t hear anybody saying that Bibi Netanyahu is an “Anti-American.”  Most of us would say he has been critical of President Obama’s policies.


I wish there would be a different political situation is Israel. I wish Israel would respect the borders from 1967.  If that would happen the Middle East would be a better place. 

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