No More Excuses

To the Editors of the Crimson: Charles T. Kurzman's editorial of February 10th entitled "No More Excuses," is an extremely shoddy piece of journalism. Kurzman criticizes "apologists for Israel's every move," who "rationalize" immoral action by that country. Like Kurzman, I am critical of many of the policies of Israel's present government. For example, I deplore Likud's West Bank settlement policy and an uncomfortable with the 1982 invasion of southern Lebanon. However, Kurzman makes a mockery of any rational criticism by failing to back up his criticisms with specifics. Moreover his claim that there is an "unquestioning acceptance" in the Jewish community of the "immoral" actions of the Israeli government is unfounded.

Kurzman feels that there is a "Jewish taqiya" in force an implicit ban on criticism of Israeli policies within the Jewish community. He traces the absence of criticism to "worn out" excuses for Israeli policies that may have once been legitimate, but can no longer justify what he sees as whole slew of immoral actions by Israel. This argument is completely misconceived. The "Jewish taqiya" he describes does not exist. Anyone who has been to Israel would attest to the fact that government policy is constantly criticized by individuals and the press in the sharpest of terms. Israelis do not know the meaning of "unquestioning acceptance," Hasn't Mr. Kurzman heard of peace Now? It was this movement which held an anti government demonstration that drew one out of every six Israelis onto the streets of Tel Aviv.

Perhaps Mr.Kurzman is speaking only of the American Jewish community. He would be wrong in this case too however. Many American Jews are critical of Israeli policies. This is apparent in both Jewish and non Jewish publications. This past semester at the Kennedy School, Boston Friends of Peace. Now cosponsored a speech by Amos Oz, a leader of Peace Now movement in Israel. Kurzman simply shows his ignorance when he says "Moral claims are stifled in an unquestioning acceptance of the immoral actions of the Israeli government."

The second problem with Kurzman's article is that he gives the reader several arguments that he feels are being used by Jews to excuse certain "immoral" action by Israel, but fails to connect excuses to specific actions. This is a critical weakness because there is in fact, some merit to some of the criticisms he lists. There is also some truth in the point that poor excuses are at times used to justify immoral actions by Israel. This is true of every country in the world. It is important for Jews to make criticisms based on fact and show how a given excuses doesn't justify a specific policy. Kurzman fails to do this choosing instead to polemicize about the immorality of Israel and "Jewish taqiya."

This becomes clear if we look at one of the justifications for Israeli policy that Kurzman attacks. He claims that the fact that Israel is surrounded by hostile neighbors can no longer be used as an excuse. The question is excuse for what? Certainly being surrounded by hostile neighbors is good justification for the arms buildup that Kurzman calls "immoral" in his first paragraph. Does Mr. Kurzman expect Israel to lead the way in a movement to end the arms race when most of her neighbors are still bent on retaking Jerusalem? It seems that Mr.Kurzman feels that because of divisions in the Arab world, Israel is safe. Need I remained him that the Arab world has never been united and yet has somehow managed to launch not only several military wars, but an ongoing economic one as well.

On the other hand the existence of hostile neighbors is not a justification for discrimination against Arab citizens. While one might say that puck discrimination is understandable given the deep seated nature of the deep-seated between Jew and Arab this cannot be a excuse for it. More should be done to alleviate these problems. One only wishes that Kurzman were more specific about the nature and except to the discrimination. His undocumented assertion leads one to believe that he simply does not know the facts.

Kurzman also refers to the immorality of Israel's ties to South Africa I too believe that Israel should not have ties with South Africa. Being isolated does not really justify it. However to single out Israel for its ties is grossly unjust. Israel's dealings with South Africa are mini man compared to those of many other countries. Kurzman is once again guilty of over simplification.

Clearly, Kurzman's articles a flop. His argument about a "Jewish taqiya" is unfounded and his criticisms of Israel are overly broad and unsubstantiated. Still there are quite valid reason to criticize Israeli government policy and such criticisms are being made. Let us hope that a "Jewish taqiya" will never come into existence. Jordan B. Millstein '85