A South African Jewish Declaration of Conscience

Sign our South African Jewish Declaration of Conscience! In response to the anti Israel "Call by Concerned Jews" (and now Lebanese) which lays all blame on Israel for the Lebanon crisis we call on South African Jews to publicly support our alternative declaration by posting their name and/or personal message in the comments section below.

We declare that that all peoples of the Middle East, be they Jewish or Arab, have the right to live in free and prosperous societies. Terrorist organisations, such as Hamas and Hizballah, are the greatest obstacle to realizing this vision. Their incitement of hatred and indiscriminate acts of violence against Israel, do not only destroy the lives of the Jewish people that they so hate, but also poison the Arab societies within which they operate. Thus all terrorist organisations must be dismantled for there to be any hope of a better Middle East.

The Jewish state has consistently sought peace with its Arab neighbours. To this end, it has made painful concessions. In terms of its 1978 peace agreement with Egypt, Israel relinquished the entire Sinai Peninsula. In 1993, it entered into the Oslo Peace Process with the Palestinians and under these accords handed over much of Gaza, Judea and Samaria (West Bank) to PLO control. Israel unilaterally withdrew from Southern Lebanon in 2000. And most recently, it disengaged from all of the Gaza almost one year ago.

Yet despite these unprecedented gestures, Israel has not received peace. Terrorist organisations and certain rogue states throughout the region have continued their campaign for Israel’s destruction. And we support Israel’s right to defend itself against this unprovoked aggression.

We regret the loss of all innocent life on both sides of the conflict. However we recognise that there is a moral distinction between terrorist organisations that deliberately kill civilians and the Israeli Defense Force that inadvertently does so.

The terrorist organisations that use their civilians as human shields in blatant contravention of international law bear much of the culpability for Arab civilian deaths.

South Africa, with its significant accomplishments in nation building, could play a meaningful role in the development of sustainable Arab democracies in the region. Its vast experience in reconciliation could also serve to help counteract decades of anti-Jewish hatred that has permeated the Arab world.

We believe that a just and lasting peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours is possible. Israel’s peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan attest to this. But peace cannot cohabit with terrorism. Thus it is the duty of all who long for freedom and prosperity in the Middle East, to support the eradication of this scourge.

Update
The views in the comments do not necessarily represent the views of It's Almost Supernatural.

Admin Note: This entry will remain at the top of the blog for the next while. Normal blog posts appear under this entry.

Update @ 11/08/2006
A small number of Lebanese have now joined the terror supporting "Jews for peace". Read about the updated petition which apportions all blame for the crisis on Israel here.

Comments

[Lester Cohen]

I wholeheartedly support Israel's actions to defend itself.

[Warren Cohen]

Strongly support the declaration

[Shai Weil]

I Strongly Support Israel's right to defend it's land and it's citizens!

[Frances magid]

I fully support Israel.

[Raymond Magid]

I fully support Israel and this declaration.

[DAVID]

I beleive the State of Israel has the right to exsist and defend itself and its citizens when necessary. To anyone else, be it a Jew or not, who thinks otherwise, I say: SHAME ON YOU, YOU POOR SOULS WHO PROMOTE TERRORISM!!!

[Jonathan Abelsohn]

As an ex South african Jew living in Sydney australia, I totally support this declaration, and am aghast at the shortsighted views this group has adopted and even more importanttheir very short memories of our Jewish history

[Darren Cohen]

I unconditionally support this declaration and the state of Israel, who fights against enemies whose sole goals are to destroy the Jewish state.

Am Yisrael Chai!

[Julian Gecelter]

As Golda Meir (I think it was her) once said 'when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us there will be peace in the Middle East'- don't expect this to happen soon. I fully support this declaration.

[Vernon Katz]

The Israelis have understood the situation correctly and are acting appropriately. They have to try and eradicate the problem. I support Israel.

[Adele Myers]

I strongly support Israel. Am Yisroel Chai.

[Katherine]

I live in Israel and I strongly support the above statement. Israel has the right to defend herself and will use that right. Am Yisrael Chai.

[Danny Minsky]

I strongly support this statement. G-d bless Israel.

[Gerald]

I fully support Israel's actions

[Eitan Schleissner]

I fully support Israel and their chosen actions.

[Nili Scham]

Israel has my support!

[Kerry-Lee Sacks]

strongly support this !

[MOSES GORDON]

I FULLY SUPPORT ISRAEL 100%

[howard bick]

Full support at any cost!!!!!

[Daniel Levy]

Murder, propaganda, perpetuating deceit, lack of humanity and common dignity. When Muslim mothers start to love their children more than they hate Israel and the Jews then MAYBE they will be accepted by all rational civilised countries around the world – in the absence of this, may Israel be one to foist such values upon them – Unwavering support and may all our soldiers return safe.

[Martin Smookler]

Israel, and my brothers and sisters, have my full support

[Tamar Schamroth]

I support Israel

[Lemmy H Perth]

Israel - you have my total support.

[norman peires]

I strongly support Israel's absolute right to defend itself and to destroy completely those who threaten its safety and its very existance. Lebanon's negligence and intentional passivity in removing the malignance that is hizbollah, from its land and from harming its peaceloving neighbour,that is Israel,leaves them entirely culpable for all the death and destruction suffered therefrom. Israel should not stop until the job is done.

[Kransdorff family]

we strongly support Israel's right to defend itself

[Gordon Family]

We support and pray for peace in Israel soon!! Let's all help and do our part!!

[Froma]

I strongly support the declaration

[Rene]

Strongly support

[Fred Levy]

I support Israel's right to defend itself against terrorists and abhor the turncoat butt-licking signatories to a ridiculous statement which belongs to be consigned to the garbage bin

[Lara A]

Behind Israel 100%!

[Daniel]

I support Israel

[Yvonne Waynik]

I support Israel's right and actions to defend itself.

[Harold Balkin]

You have my support

[Adam Victor]

I support Israel's right to defend its very existence.

[David]

Support

[Darren]

I'm neither Jewish nor Israeli, but I agree entirely with this statement.

[Karen]

I support Israel 100%

[Jonny Bolnick]

I support.

[BERNARD LAPIDUS (LIVING IN CANADA).]

I support israel and all its actions.
Let all these south african fat-cat anti-israel jews, spend a bit of time studying the holocast.
Very sad how the likes of Raymond Suttner and some of his friends have forgotten the help of the s.a. jewish organisations in the apartheid years. If these actions are gratitude, then stop calling yourselves jews.

[Marcelle]

I fully support Israel both in its defensive and offensive actions to do whatever it takes to defend the people and the State of Israel for all Jews

[Marsha Kolnick]

I very strongly support ISRAEL, no matter what - this land belongs to the Jewish people.

[Jonty Cohen]

I support Israel's right to defend its very existence.

[Nikki fisher]

I strongly support Israel

[Noa Kraut]

I support Israel

[Nicky Trope]

I strongly support Israel!

[Gary B]

I strongly support Medinat Yisrael in its efforts to protect her land and citizens.

[Derikboy]

Non-Jewish South African: I Support Israel!

[Robyn Shapiro]

I strongly support Israel's right to exist!!!!

[Daniel Rubenstein]

Am Yisrael chai!!!

[Debbie Scher]

strongly support

[danny aaron]

support

[Marc]

I support Israel fully

[Lara]

I support

[Dani Chazen]

I strongly support Israel's right to defend itself!

[Eli Romano]

I support Israel - now and always! AM YISRAEL CHAI!

[David F]

I support Israel

[Brian Rubin]

This has been the same war for 60 years. They want to kill us and we have the right to defend ourselves - and we need to show them we mean it!!

We didn't start it, but it is time to finish it.

[Brian Rubin]

This has been the same war for 60 years. They want to kill us and we have the right to defend ourselves - and we need to show them we mean it!!

We didn't start it, but it is time to finish it.

[Gayle Wainer]

I think people should wake up as smell the roases. UM YSRAEL CHAI

[Brian Rubin]

This has been the same war for 60 years. They want to kill us and we have the right to defend ourselves - and we need to show them we mean it!!

We didn't start it, but it is time to finish it.

[Gayle Wainer]

I think people should wake up as smell the roses. UM YSRAEL CHAI

[Irwin Stein]

Israel is fighting the war for the whole free world.

[Jonathan]

Any Jew who values Hizbollah lives more than the lives of your own people is truly a disgrace to us all! May our soldiers be blessed and may this cancer that has caused so much pain and suffering be wiped off the face of the earth. God bless israel and the Jewish people

[Alon Lits]

I strongly support Israel's defensive action in Lebanon and feel that it is her right to defend herself and her people.

[Daniel I]

I fully support Israel.

[Robert Leon]

I support Israel wholegheartedly and Israel must do whatever they can to defend its people.

[Steven]

Israel has a right to defend against attack as any other nation in the world

[Kathy]

Support 100%.

[david saks]

Strongly support. There can be no doubt who holds the moral high ground in this matter, and it is not the pitiful 'Cringe Fringe' of marginalised Jewish ultra-leftists who find the spectacle of Jews successfully defending themselves against genocide deeply embarrassing.

[Simone]

I support Israel's defensive action in Lebanon. Israel has the right to defend itself !!!

[Jonathan Feigin]

I strongly support Israel without question.

[Beulah]

I fully support Israel

[Avi Stermer]

I support Israel unequivocally.

[Dean Rosenthal]

I support Israel in all it endeavors.

[Dean Rosenthal]

I support Israel in all its endeavors.

[Peninnah]

support Israel 100%!

[Ryan Kalk]

Every country has every right to defend its citizens and borders and if a threat to this right exists then they have every right to squash that threat.

Israel is exercising this right, as would any other country!!!

Am Yisrael Chai!!!

[ella]

i strongly support israel

[Ashley Gritzman]

I strongly support Israel's moral obligation to defend itself, and its citizens.

[David Goldberg]

I support Israel 100%
We need to all be proud of being Jewish and stop appologising for it.
Am Yisrael Chai

[ella]

i strongly support israel

[Carly Ressel]

I support Israel 100% in her effort to defend the Jewish nation

[Aimy Kramer]

I support Israel unconditionally and unequivocally. If not for Israel, where would we all be ?
It's high time for the world to wake up and see that evil is at our doorstep and it must be eradicated without any further delays.
AM YISRAEL CHAI !

[e goodman]

i support israel

[Bianca]

I support

[e goodman]

i support israel

[Andrea Shapiro]

If we are dedicated to the survival of our precious nation, there can be no other option for us as Jews worldwide, and especially in South Africa, to support and praise Israel for all her efforts, as well as the devoted soldiers who are risking their lives for the future of ours. Never back down

[Keren]

I very stongly support Israel and its actions to defend themselves. As a South African in Israel right now I think that we Jews need to work together to help Israel.

[mandi]

support israel all the way!my prayers and thoughts are with all in israel, esp the brave soldiers dedicating their lives for the sake of our jewish homeland

[Saron Marks]

I fully support Israel's right to defend herself. G-d Bless our soldiers and leadership. AM YISRAEL CHAI!!!!!

[Josh Schewitz]

I SUPPORT WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL AND PRAY FOR ALL THE INNOCENT LIVES LOST

[Guy Hoffman]

Until there is an unequivocal acknowledgement of Israel's right to exist and the violence aimed as Israel ends, the IDF must do whatever is necessary to protect the citizens of the country. Every right thinking person must regret the loss of innocents lives; equally such a person will accept that this is inevitable when murderous thugs are permitted to use civilians as shields.

[Hazel Kalk - living in London]

Israel has a right to defend it's borders and to do whatever it takes to protect it's citizen's.

[Sarah Hoffman]

In complete support of Israel and its actions

[Niel Kossen]

I am a non Jewish South African and support Israel

[Allan J Horwitz]

I fully support the views of Guy Hoffman above. Further, please note that there is another Allan Horwitz, who has not signed this declaration but has signed the "other" one. I (A.J.H) am a staunch supporter of Israel and gladly appended my name hereto.

[jonathan hoffman]

I regret the loss of innocent lives but accept that for so long as Hizbollah's terrorists are allowed to integrate with the civilian population this is bound to happen. The violence and death will stop when the rockets into Israel stop. Isuuport Israel fully.

[jonathan hoffman]

I regret the loss of innocent lives but accept that for so long as Hizbollah's terrorists are allowed to integrate with the civilian population this is bound to happen. The violence and death will stop when the rockets into Israel stop. Isupport Israel fully.

[Joshua Rudolph]

I support Israel 100%.
I have never been prouder to be part of the Jewish nation.
No other nation in the world would do anywhere near as much to try minimise civilian losses. The IDF is the most moral and ethical army in the world, made up of true heroes!
While the rest of the world hides behind diplomacy and political correctness, Israel fights against terror, to secure a free world for tomorrow for us all.
Israel is truly a light unto the nations

[Andrew Kemack]

There will be peace when Hizbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad accept that Israel is here to stay and accept that there must be peace. Until then I support Israel.