Last Shabbat (the snowstorm, in case you may have forgotten!)
I spoke about my analysis of the recent UN Security Council resolution from the United States abstained. Here's my bottom line:
There is nothing in this resolution, which, by itself, is actionable-- and that's a tremendous relief. But that is not to say that on the basis of this resolution a variety of things might not happen: it might lead to further Security Council resolutions that could isolate Israel, but they would have to be drafted and passed within the next two weeks. (Today is January 7 and the new administration takes office on January 20).
This resolution could also embolden the Palestinians to try and take any number of Israelis to the International Criminal Court for serving in the military or in the police in any areas beyond the Green Line, and it even extend to civilians who reside in the Old City of Jerusalem, the new Eastern neighborhoods of the City, or in any of the settlements.
And finally - and there's no need for any official vote for this to come to fruition - this UN resolution could very easily inspire advocates of BDS - boycott, divestment and sanctions - to pursue these means in any way they choose, from strong-arming their local food co-op not to carry Israeli products, all the way to getting local, state and national governments to approve BDS measures. And please remember that BDS is not in the economic realm alone, but could extend to academic collaboration, the granting of visas to Israeli citizens, restrictions on goods and services--not just the importation of Israeli goods, but also the exportation of products to Israel, including high tech or security-related items vital to the State of Israel.
And one final word: AIPAC... Please give serious consideration to joining me at the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, DC on March 26, 27 and 28.
Because of the snow, we davened Minha preemptively at 12:30 PM, and it's a good thing that we did because only four people showed up at 4:15!
That means that we will be reading
Wanted: a Vision for Jewish and Israeli Society by Danny Gordis at 4:15 PM tomorrow.
Here are a few follow-up articles, relevant to the UNSC Resolution and Secretary of State John Kerry's speech:
Ami Horowitz Debunks John Kerry's West Bank Claims
Everything Camp Ramah does is high-quality; I recommend their programs to you unreservedly. kas
