[Peace-discuss] Letter to DI

[John W.]

At 09:32 PM 3/15/2006, C. G. Estabrook wrote:

>Nicely put.  (And perhaps a step towards expanding AWARE's
>membership...)  --CGE

You guys apparently don't know Bambi very well.


>---- Original message ----
> >Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2006 17:31:17 -0800 (PST)
> >From: David Green <davegreen84 at yahoo.com>
> >Subject: [Peace-discuss] Letter to DI
> >To: Peace Discuss <peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net>
> >
> >     John Bambenek (3/15) accuses the Anti-War
> >Anti-Racism Effort of anti-Semitism and having a
> >"critical view" on Christians. He adds that those in AWARE are not
> >"against hate speech or war, they just want make sure
> >the right people are on the business end of them."
> >
> >       I have been active in AWARE since its founding in
> >2001. Our primary effort has been in opposition to
> >U.S. wars since then, in Afghanistan and Iraq. I can
> >assure Bambenek that we have not endorsed violence of
> >any kind. We do, however, take seriously the question
> >"Why do they hate us?" Given George Bush's recent
> >endorsement of nuclear weapons for India while
> >threatening to invade Iran on the same count, that
> >question would seem more relevant than ever.
> >
> >       One of the answers to that question leads to the
> >occupation of Palestine by Israel. As a Jew, I have
> >worked against that for the past nine years, including
> >in AWARE and Jewish-identified groups like Not In My
> >Name (Chicago). I can assure Bambenek that criticisms
> >AWARE makes of Israeli policies, and U.S. policies in
> >its support, are not inspired by hatred of Jews, but
> >by same spirit of anti-war, pro-human rights
> >positions. My criticism of Israel comes partly from
> >the values of universalism and social justice that are
> >inseparable from my Jewish identity.
> >
> >       Likewise, Christian members of AWARE promote partly
> >what they understand as the teachings of Jesus, to
> >which Bambenek apparently takes exception and makes
> >exceptions. I would invite Bambenek - or anyone else - to
> >attend our weekly meeting, Sunday at 5, at the
> >Independent Media Center at the Urbana Post Office,
> >Broadway & Elm. There is too much work to be done
> >against the hatred incited around the world by our
> >current administration to allow that hatred to be
> >re-enacted in our community.
> >
> >David Green