I thought I could sleep but NOOOOO! The Observer did something really unfortunate. In response to my challenge to Rabbi Shmuley Boteachs attack on my denunciation of the Gazan genocide (or genocide as some would prefer), they just now posted his rebuttal -- fair enough -- but with a horribly inflammatory and distorting headline that claims that I wrote that Jews dont need a state. As you know this is very far from my nuanced position of wanting Israel to obey the rule of law and not have two systems of justice -- very far from what I wrote in my piece as well -- but bound to generate extreme US hostility and close down discussion. Here is my reply to the editor -- hope they run it quickly: To the editor. Please correct your headline to Rabbi Boteachs response to my piece immediately. As I am sure you are fully aware, I never said in my response to Rabbi Boteach that, as your headline puts the words in my mouth, Jews do not need a state. I did not make a single policy proscription regarding the very difficult question of how the law should define ethnicity in relation to rights and citizenship in Israel, a question that many thoughtful people are questioning in various ways. Rather, as I am sure you know, I asked a moral question about what the larger definition of the Holy Land might be. This is a term embraced by Muslims and Christian for centuries as as well as by Jews, a major historical fact about which your headline writer seems shockingly ignorant. The headline is a serious misrepresentation of my words and I am very sorry that the editor chose to debase this important conversation about the meaning of Judaism and the moral mission of Israel, that many people around the world, not just Rabbi Boteach and I, are having. It is reasonable to ask, as many Jews who care about Israel are asking, if Israels mission could be a more lawful and inclusive one and if its policies more aligned with democratic norms in advanced democracies around the world. This is a far cry from the grossly distorted and inflammatory headline you assigned this piece. Thank you for your immediate correction and for your publication of this letter. Sincerely, Naomi Wolf
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 20:50:16 +0000