Do we really support Israel?

A Diaspora 'Supporter of Israel'
by Mark Gold

But what does "supporting Israel" really mean?

Israel has no shortage of avowed detractors. It also has many genuine avid supporters. Even more people and institutions claim to "support Israel." But what does "supporting Israel" really mean?
Sadly, and insidiously, in many cases, it means very little. It is the proverbial "talking the talk" without the willingness to "walk the walk." Certainly, the climate in some circles, notably academia and the media, is apt to make the malleable fall on the denigrate-Israel team. But given the circles in which some others travel, it evidently is more comfortable to claim status as a supporter of Israel, rather than not.
A recent poll commissioned by the Israel Project illustrates that point. Eighty-two percent of the American Jews who took part in the survey said they support Israel, with most of them characterizing themselves as "strong supporters." Yet, when asked if they engage in conversation about Israel or defend Israel while talking to non-Jews, most of the participants replied negatively. Thus, it appears that the majority of American Jews claim they "support Israel," yet they are not even willing to "talk the talk," much less "walk the walk."
In life generally, it is important to know who your real allies are, and who are on the team or are friends in name only -- whom you can count on and who will dilute the effort; who will help and who will not. And you want to know whether your contributions to an ostensibly pro-Israel organization are likely to help Israel’s cause or be used in the service of another agenda.
While recognizing there are many ways to support Israel, here are some guidelines to judge whether one is a genuine supporter:
Action
What does the individual or organization actually do to support Israel, beyond claiming to be a supporter? If the answer is little or nothing, the verdict is self-evident. A discussion of specific types of activities follows.
Speech
What does the individual or organization actually say beyond that he "supports Israel"? Something like, "I support Israel but not its government," or "I support Israel but not the occupation," or "I support Israel but I want it to change"?
That is not support. It is in the realm of the double-standard applied to Israel. These "supporters" insist on virtual perfection for Israel (and, of course, only Israel). In this mindset, Israel and only Israel can be considered supported with a reservation, if not downright opposition appended in the same sentence. It makes as much sense as "I love that restaurant, but the food is terrible."
"I support Israel but not its policies" is a common refrain, but most of these "supporters" have been repeating this mantra of every Israeli government for decades.
Contributions and Membership
What organizations does the individual support with contributions and membership? Any pro-Israel organizations - groups that actually work on behalf of Israel? A few that come to mind include AIPAC, CAMERA, Zionist Organization of America and Friends of the IDF. Or are these groups disdained and scorned as "extremist" or otherwise just considered unworthy of support?
And certainly, support of Israeli organizations that don’t seek to "change" or tear down the state is also a mark of a true "supporter of Israel." There are, of course, innumerable such organizations, such as Magen David Adom, One Family Fund and Palestinian Media Watch.
Or does the "supporter" find that non-Israel causes always have a higher priority? Or, even worse, is the individual more comfortable with, and thus a contributor to, organizations with an anti-Israel agenda, such as Oxfam, Human Rights Watch, and too many others of a similar bent?
Many organizations that do promote themselves as "supporters of Israel" or "Israel advocates" in fact operate more as neutral forums for Israel-related programs. They apparently feel compelled to provide a balance of speakers providing some obligatory bashing of Israel to offset pro-Israel aspects of their programs. Apparently, for these groups, it is too politically incorrect to include only pro-Israel voices. What does the individual or organization actually say beyond that he "supports Israel"?
Somehow, contrasted to these "Israel advocacy" organizations, "advocates" of other entities are not as often compelled to gratuitously invite speakers to bash the subject of their advocacy. Do other "advocates," perhaps your college's alumni association or chamber of commerce, invite even lukewarm speakers? Not likely.
Then there is the case of America's largest synagogue movement, the Union for Reform Judaism. It criticized Congress "for passing one-sided pro-Israel resolutions." Maybe the Union for Reform Judaism (erroneously) thinks that it supports Israel and that action is an example of doing so. But, probably, most of the Union’s members did not even know of that action. And while undoubtedly some would have approved, others would not have. Did any ostensibly pro-Israel member congregations that were aware of the Union’s action repudiate it (much less withdraw from the Union)? Did any congregants press their congregations to do so?
In fact, many non-Orthodox Jewish congregations appear to have a minimal concern for Israel, at most. That logically mirrors their congregants’ attitudes as revealed by the Israel Project’s poll. Action to support Israel just doesn’t cut it along with feel-good activities such as "nights" and other more "liberal" social action projects.
It goes without saying that "ethnic cleansing" in Darfur is protested, but "ethnic cleansing" in Gaza is one of the few areas where these congregations did "support Israel."
A number of congregations offer Israel token support, yet consider that support as generous. They may keep their Israeli flag in the sanctuary along with the US flag, but this is often a holdover from years past when supporting Israel was less controversial.
Media
Where does the "supporter of Israel" get his news? The mainstream media, such as most major newspapers, the BBC or CNN? It is very hard to be a true supporter of Israel while relying on these sources, as they relentlessly vilify and inculcate a subliminal or overt "Israel is bad" message.
A true supporter of Israel is apt to rely on niche sources of news and commentary that are more likely to present Israel in a fair, or even favorable, light.
Politics
Does the "supporter of Israel" accept or demonize Israel’s friends, such as are often found among conservatives and conservative Christians? Does the "supporter of Israel" support the war against Islamofascism? Or does the "supporter of Israel" cast his lot with anti-war groups laden with Israel-vilification and anti-Semitism?
Shopping
Does the "supporter of Israel" seek Israeli products when shopping? For example, many supermarkets in areas with a significant Jewish population carry a number of products made in Israel that supporters may purchase. In contrast, I recall an instance of a Jewish Federation distributing giveaways made in China. When queried about the possibility of sourcing trinkets from Israel rather than China, Federation headquarters personnel reacted as if the question were from an alien.
Travel
Does the traveling "supporter of Israel" ever go to Israel or is everywhere else a higher priority?
Investing
Is the "supporter of Israel" financially invested in Israel?
Investing in Israel could not be easier. Beyond the well-known Israel Bonds, which are available in denominations as low as $100, there are many Israeli companies traded on US markets, with readily available information. American mutual funds of Israeli securities are also available.
In Sum
These are some factors that tend to indicate whether an individual or organization actually "supports Israel" or just pays it lip service. If their consideration spurs anyone to realize that he can do more to genuinely support Israel, all the better.

Reposted from Israel National News.