[WCUSP] Fw: Apartheid as our frame? Dems Repudiate Carter Book

[Joyce McLean]

super .....go for it....I for one will stop responding to the  present 
debate over the use of apartheid as a description or a frame or a 
weapon.....cheers.................I had hopes that by entereing into the 
discussion, I could be helpful....wrong...but then It isn't the first time
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "C.J. Minster" <cjminster at gmail.com>
To: "wcusp" <wcusp at wilpf.org>
Sent: Monday, October 30, 2006 6:30 AM
Subject: Re: [WCUSP] Fw: Apartheid as our frame? Dems Repudiate Carter Book


> As another Jewish member of WILPF, I agree with what Libby is saying.
> Jews have never thought or acted in unity. Organized Jewish institutions
> / religious sects, might be acting in unity on US / Israel relations,
> but they do not represent all Jews.
>
> I agree with Libby's earlier idea - let's develop two ways of talking
> about this. Let's explain why the term apartheid fits to this situation,
> and let's continue to learn ways to reach out to people - of any
> religious / ethnic background - who cannot hear past the word apartheid.
> Words are powerful frames. Just look at the way Islam is being framed as
> a "terrorist, blood-driven religion." This is not my frame, but even the
> NY Times uses it - yesterday's NYT magazine cover starts with "Islam and
> the bomb." I see the effects of these frames all the time: people close
> to me who think Palestinians / Arabs are irrational and incapable of
> peace; people who think Israel is justified in "creating peace through
> force." There are many frames we need to tear down and others that we
> need to build up.
>
> Instead of arguing over which frame is a better path to changing US
> policy, let's develop them. Joyce, you asked Kate / the leadership team
> to draft a letter to Congresspeople. It's a great suggestion. The team
> (including Kate and myself) is meeting in Austin this Thursday through
> Sunday to develop our plans for 2007. We've been researching aid to
> Palestine and trying to figure out what type of aid the US government
> should be offering. We were thinking this would be our emphasis in the
> coming months. I don't think any of us knew about Carter's book until
> the article was posted. We'll try to work on getting an Action Alert out
> on his book, book tour, and the negative reaction it's getting. I'll try
> to find out more info from the Carter Center - the book comes out
> November 14; perhaps we can get an advance review copy.
>
> Unfortunately, I can't guarantee any of this will happen immediately.
> The WCUSP leadership team is organizing towards its meeting this weekend
> and Kate's schedule is full. So, look for an official WILPF action
> either this week or next week. In the meantime, I encourage everyone to
> follow Joyce's lead and write letters to your Congressperson and
> Senators. Using their web forms is useful because it ensures that your
> message goes through. If you get a response, please forward it to the
> group. (It's useful for us to know where politicians stand.)
>
> On a tangentially related note, the cover story of Rolling Stone
> magazine is about how this Congress is the most corrupt and inept in the
> history of our country. It's a depressing read, but surprisingly
> detailed for a music magazine. (I know, they also published an article
> on how Bush stole the election; so I suppose Jan Wenner (the
> publisher)'s politics are shining through.)
>
> in nonviolent solidarity,
> C.J.
> ------------
> C.J. Minster
> Program Chair, US Section
> Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
> http://wilpf.blogspot.com
>
> ~current affairs blog~
> http://www.socialupheaval.com
>
> ~cultural affairs blog~
> http://www.angelheadedhipster.com
>
> Libby and Mort Frank wrote:
>> Dear Joan and all,
>>
>> I have the deepest disagreement with your comments, Joan.  You have
>> characterized the U.S. Jewish community as a united force that hasn't
>> been and can't be reached, no matter how,  claiming that "reason
>> doesn't work..."  I find your characterization insulting.  Criticicism
>> of U.S. or Israeli policy is certainly called for, but characterizing
>> the entire U.S. Jewish community as not listening to reason is not
>> acceptable.
>>
>> You go on to confuse Israeli policy with that of the
>> U.S.: "international human rights conventions and the Geneva Accords
>> have no impact on Israeli policy -- words of the victims have no
>> impact and the facts on the ground have no impact on ..."  And, you
>> quote Golda Meir who made her reprehensible statement as an Israeli
>> leader.
>>
>>  I share your impatience and want to scream as I read of the situation
>> in Palestine.  But thousands and thousands of Jewish Americans have
>> opposed Israeli policy, have opposed U.S. policy.  We have reached
>> others and continue to do so.
>>
>> Rep. Conyers said the use of apartheid in Carter's book "does not
>> serve the cause of peace and the use of it against the Jewish people
>> in particular, who have been victims of the worst kind of
>> discrimination, discrimination resulting in death, is offensive and
>> wrong..."  So the establishment Jewish papers say Conyers is "Standing
>> up for Israel Against Jimmy Carter."  *That is Wrong*.  One can oppose
>> the use of incendiary words about Israel and not be "standing up for
>> Israel."
>>
>> Looking at the 2006 Congressional Scorecard published by the Arab
>> American Institute, one can see that Conyer's voting record is among
>> the best on issues considered crucial to Arab Americans.  He is hardly
>> beholden to the pro-Israeli government lobby.
>>
>> I stick with my deep belief in the absolute necessity of changing U.S.
>> policy.  Being sensitive about where people are coming from doesn't
>> mean we're mincing words.  It means we have the possibility of opening
>> minds and changing minds.  I've done it, as have many others.
>>
>> Libby
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ubscribe send a message to Wcusp-leave at wilpf.org
>
>
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