05 March 2009

U.S. may boycott World Conference Against Racism

Just when I thought we Americans were on track to become full-fledged citizens of the world again....

Just when I thought diplomatic engagement was going to replace knee-jerk unilateralism....

Just when I was once again, after all these years, feeling proud to be an American....

I learned that the Obama administration might boycott the World Conference Against Racism, which will be held in Geneva in April, just because some folks at a previous Conference tried -- unsuccessfully -- to equate Zionism with racism.

In my opinion, this is a grudge that must be shed. It is water under the bridge. It was unsuccessful -- whether or not it was warranted (and I could argue both sides of that question -- but that's for another time). In a nutshell, it's a case of throwing out the proverbial baby with the bathwater. I thought that stuff went out the door along with the Bush administration. Sadly, I was apparently mistaken, dazzled by the audacity of hope.

It is time for the U.S. to stop allowing itself to be manipulated by Zionist extremists. After all, Jewish moderates I've spoken with understand that, as Jews, whose people have suffered throughout the millennia, they should be especially sensitive to the persecution and suffering of others -- including the Palestinians.

The age-old Israeli-Palestinian crisis will not be resolved so long as these knee-jerk actions and reactions continue.

The age-old Israeli-Palestinian crisis will not be resolved so long as finger pointing and defensiveness remain the rule.

The age-old Israeli-Palestinian crisis will not be resolved so long as either side loses sight of the humanity of the other side.

And the age-old Israeli-Palestinian crisis will not be resolved so long as either side -- and the U.S. -- stubbornly refuses to attend these conferences and engage on the issue.

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