A few weeks ago, Norman Podhoretz wrote a thought-provoking article in The Wall Street Journal entitled, “Why are Jews Liberals?” The article began by summarizing the strong support the Jewish community gives to Democrat presidential candidates starting as far back as 1928. This is in spite of Republican’s unswerving and continuing support for Israel, which in the last election clearly favored John McCain over Barak Obama. “Nevertheless, Mr. Obama beat Mr. McCain among Jewish voters by a staggering 57 points.” The author further states, “These numbers remind us of the extent to which the continued Jewish commitment to the Democrat party has become an anomaly.” Regardless how well economically the group does, they remain committed to the ideals of the Democrat party. “Jews have consistently supported increased government spending, expanded benefits to the poor and lower classes, greater regulation on business, and the power of organized labor.” Many secular Jews, it is said, define a “good Jew” as a good liberal. Here in Tulsa the Jewish community has supported homeless activities, early childhood development and a host of activities and endeavors intended to make up for life’s unfairness to others.

Mr. Podhoretz further summarizes, “With all exceptions duly noted, I think it fair to say that what liberals mainly see when they look at this country is injustice and oppression of every kind – economic, social and political. By shared contrast, conservatives see a nation shaped by a complex of traditions, principles and institutions that has afforded more freedom and even factoring in periodic economic downturns more prosperity to more of its citizens history. It follows that what liberals believe needs to be changed or discarded – and apologized to other nations – is precisely what conservatives are dedicated to preserving reinvigorating and proudly defending against attack.”

Freedom and opportunity is what America provided the Jewish immigrants coming from Eastern Europe in the 1880s. The author concludes with the hope “that my fellow Jews would finally break free of the liberalism to which they have remained in thrall long past the point where it has served either their interests or their ideals.”

Is it really a deep sense of caring for others that differentiates today’s American Jews from others? Do they really care for all men? In interviews with pollsters, “most of them were still telling that their votes would be strongly influenced by the positions” of presidential candidates on the state of Israel. I do know from personal experience as a former banker that the Tulsa Jewish community in the past invested millions of dollars yearly into the Jewish state by buying Israeli bonds.

Is this money too going to “expand benefits to the poor and lower classes” or are these people nothing more than obstacles to a stronger Israeli state?

In answering those questions one only needs to spend time in Israel to see first hand that it is not the case. I recently spent eight days in Israel traveling the country. I had no preconceptions of what I might find. In fact, I discovered Israel is doing its level best to drive non Jews out of the country. People who have lived alongside Jews for over 2,000 years are being displaced. Palestinians, whether Arab or Christians, are denied citizenship. They have no passports - only identity papers. They see their villages bulldozed to make way for more West bank settlements. Palestinians pay taxes, but lack full-time electricity or water. Their garbage is not routinely picked up. They live packed together and walled off from the rest of Israel. They face a very dismal future. This emptiness and hopelessness only produces resentment that blossoms into hatred. And hatred begets more terror.

In a land that has seen too much hatred, will either side extend a hand? No. They are way beyond it. Like an Eastern Orthodox prelate said to us, “We need your prayers.” Maybe that will work.

It is impossible to reconcile the bounty the United States has afforded to so many, especially American Jews and the fact that those who claim to care for the less fortunate cannot extend simple hope to their fellow countrymen in Israel. What America’s Jewish community has paid for is oppression, arrogance and intolerance. Our tour group saw this first-hand when we were forced out of our bus and detained in Bethlehem for nearly two hours. Why? It was clear we were tourists, but the soldiers needed to prove a point and did so. One of our group remarked the soldiers were simply “teenage thugs” walking a catwalk above us dressed in black with sunglasses and automatic weapons. It was obvious to me that Israel has learned much from their past oppressors over the years on how to handle those they don’t want or like.

This entry was posted on Friday, November 27th, 2009 and is filed under Columns.