Jewish QAIA does CBST

This week, the Jewish members of QAIA wrote a note to our community -- just a resource list, really, and some encouragement to get out from under the hasbara. The occasion was the Israeli Consul's talk at Congregation Beth Simchat Torah.

QAIA members handed the letter to folks on their way into the service. The only person who shoved it back at us came back later for a clean copy. Rabbi Kleinbaum came out to make sure we knew we were welcome inside. After Aharoni's glib talk about how to recruit Israel supporters, it was clear that many congregants were not buying it. So, another nice Friday evening in Manhattan.

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May 25, 2012

Dear LGBTQ Jews…

Shabbat shalom! Here’s a resource list for those of us who object to Israel’s human rights violations, and who refuse to bear that burden on our souls.

As LGBTQ Jews of conscience, we stand for the human rights of all people, everywhere. As Jews, we accept our particular responsibility to challenge Israel – to refuse to let Israel speak for us when it builds Jews-only neighborhoods, roads and schools. To refuse the demonization of Palestinians who resist the violent domination of their lives by Israeli settlers and soldiers. To refuse to be told that, as Jews, we should be loyal to the Israeli government, rather than human beings and principles.

           

We don’t just stand for those things – we stand up. When the Israeli government uses “the Jewish people” as cover for its crimes, there’s no room to be neutral. Jews of conscience have to act. When Israel uses gay rights to pinkwash its gross failure to be a democracy, LGBTQ Jews especially must undo that damage.

We (like queers of conscience in Israel and worldwide) are especially compelled by Palestinian LGBTQ groups’ call, which points out that queer liberation can’t be built under apartheid laws that deny all Palestinians human and civil rights. To begin Palestinian queer liberation, they say, help us end the occupation. And for our liberation, too.

With love,

Leslie Cagan & Emmaia Gelman

on behalf of the Jewish members of Queers Against Israeli Apartheid NYC

Resources for LGBTQ Jews of conscience:

Queers Against Israeli Apartheid - NYC

queersagainstisraeliapartheid.blogspot.com

Jews Say No

JewsSayNo@gmail.com

Young, Jewish & Proud

newyork@jewishvoiceforpeace.org // www.facebook.com/JVPNY

Jewish Voice for Peace

            israelilaundry.org // jewishvoiceforpeace.org

Jews Against Islamophobia

jewsagainstislamophobia.org

Palestinian LGBTQ websites:

Al Qaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society - alqaws.org

Aswat – Palestinian Gay Women - aswatgroup.org

Palestinian Queers for BDS - pqbds.org