Rabbinical cowardice

Supporting Goldstone without repudiating Israel, Zionism and Jewish collusion is cowardly'

U.S. Jewish magazine honors Zionist Goldstone for 'upholding Jewish values'

Debbie Menon welcomes the support of rabbis for Richard Goldstone, who had been excluded from his grandson’s Bar Mitzvah because of his report on Israeli crimes in Gaza, but condemns the rabbis for failing to repudiate Israel, Zionism and world Jewry for what they have done to Palestinians and for the ethnic cleansing which continues to this day.

This is a beautifully written and sympathetic letter addressed to Dr Richard Goldstone, from 25 souls out of a few million, and I am sure Dr Goldstone appreciates their sympathy.

Dear Judge Goldstone,

As rabbis from diverse traditions and locations, we want to extend our warmest mazel tov [congratulations or good luck] to you as an elder in our community upon the Bar Mitzvah [male coming of age] of your grandson. Bar and Bat Mitzvah [i.e. male and female coming of age] is a call to conscience, a call to be responsible for the welfare of others, a call to fulfil the covenant of peace and justice articulated in our tradition.

As rabbis, we note the religious implications of the report you authoured. We are reminded of Shimon Ben Gamliel's quote, "The world stands on three things: justice, truth and peace as it says ‘Execute the judgment of truth, and justice and peace will be established in your gates’ (Zekharya 8:16)." We affirm the truth of the report that bears your name. More