There is growing concern about a one-sided presentation of Israel’s post-Oslo approach to the ‘Road Map’ at the General Assembly of Jewish Federations, set to begin Sunday, November 16th at the Jerusalem conference center.

Dr. Aaron Lerner of IMRA (Independent Media Review Analysis) points out that, “While there is great concern that American Jewish leaders are ill equipped to deal with the onslaught of pro-withdrawal propaganda from promoters of the Road Map and other schemes, it is noteworthy that the organizers of the Jewish Communities General Assembly in Jerusalem opted to limit coverage of the topic to a 75 minute session featuring a withdrawal advocate representing the United States Government and an Israeli staged withdrawal advocate.”

The official schedule for the General Assembly is located at: http://www.ujc.org/ga_event.html?id=17&bread=1

The session discussing the ‘Road Map’ is to take place from 9 to 10:15 AM on Monday, November 17th, the second day of the conference, which will be attended by the bulk of North America’s Jewish establishment leadership, as well as federation officials from across the US.

The schedule reads: “The Road….and the Map - Where are we now on November 17, 2003; and where are we going over the next 12 to 18 months. Behind-the-scenes politics, security, and personalities.”

The members of the panel are both vocal supporters of the ‘Road Map’. The first is Daniel Kurtzer, the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, who advocates of removal of Jews from most of Yesha, and has even expressed vocal support for the so-called ‘Saudi Initiative’ which demands an Israeli withdrawal to the pre-’67 borders.

The ‘other side’ is to be presented by Yosef Lapid, Israel’s Minister of Justice, who advocates the destruction of Jewish town in Yesha, albeit in stages rather than all at once. Lapid is of the belief that Israel should implement the ‘Road Map’ - through the destruction of dozens of outlying neighborhoods - whether or not the PA fulfills its commitment to fight terrorism. Most recently, Lapid called for the immediate expulsion of the Jewish residents of Netzarim after an Arab terrorist murdered three soldiers stationed there.

The panel will be moderated by former IDF spokesman Nachman Shai, now the Director General of the UJC in Israel.

IMRA asked Glen Rosenkrantz, spokesman for the GA, why only withdrawal advocates are addressing the GA on this issue. Rosenkrantz answer IMRA that, “all of the sessions were designed with the objective of creating an objective and informed dialogue and that applies to that session as well.”

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 13th, 2003 and is filed under news.