Donna Edwards' speech in 2010 to a New Policy Pac
http://mondoweiss.net/2010/10/donna-edwards-flap-fosters-debate-over-one-state-vs-two-state
http://www.jcouncil.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6424
[jcouncil.org link above has died and content was taken offline. content added as copy-paste as note #1.]
Edwards affirms support for two-state solution Rep. addresses New Policy PAC fundraiser
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
By: Adam Kredo
Washington Jewish Week
was attacked on a similar basis to a speech by Marcy Winograd in November 2009 at All Saints church in Pasadena, CA,
http://www.jcouncil.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6425
[link to jcouncil.org above has died and content as a result is offline. copy-paste of article added at end of blog post as note #2]
Edwards fundraiser puzzles observers: Lobby group OK with one-state solution in M.E.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
By: Adam Kredo
where a fear of a 1 state solution with civil legal equality, ignoring whether the population majority was Jewish, or not, to remedy civil legal inequality between Jews, and people of other faiths within Israel, and particularly within West Bank, by dual law enforcement jurisdictions the Civil Administration/COGAT of IDF for Palestinians and the Israel Police and courts for Jewish settlers. Remedying civil legal inequality based on faith was falsely equated with leaving Jews vulnerable to another holocaust by denying them a secure, faith-based, homeland to flee to in an existential crisis.
How Marcy Winograd was attacked, in her 2010 primary challenge to Jane Harman (former Rep CACD36 before redistricting in 2011), on the same issue, civil legal equality for all people of all faiths sharing the same land regardless of which faith held a demographic majority, Donna Edwards was attacked on is described well here.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/Waxman-Attacks-Harman-s-Ri-by-Linda-Milazzo-100110-91.html
or here
http://www.unz.com/article/the-last-democratic-primary-worth-watching/
[Note #1 replacing dead link and content taken offline]
Edwards affirms support for two-state solutionRep. addresses New Policy PAC fundraiser Wednesday, October 20, 2010
By: Adam Kredo
Washington Jewish Week
Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) strongly reaffirmed her backing of a two-state solution Saturday afternoon during a speech to a lobbying group that, in theory, supports a one-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As Edwards readily admitted in the top of her address, she "caused quite a stir within the Jewish community" last week by agreeing to speak at a fundraiser sponsored by the group New Policy PAC, a sister organization of NewPolicy.org, a lobby working with Congress to enact legislation to "end the Gaza siege," freeze Jewish settlements and establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
The group raised $12,000 on Edwards' behalf during the event, according to its website, and it plans to hold another fundraiser this Saturday for Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.).
Edwards was firm about her beliefs: "Let me begin by saying that I am a long-time, dedicated advocate of a two-state solution and supporter of an engaged peace process in the Middle East. I am committed fully to a peaceful and secure democratic state of Israel that is a home for the Jewish people that exists in harmony and security with an independent and autonomous state which is a secure home for the Palestinian people."
NewPolicy.org primarily lobbies for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but it has taken heat from pro-Israel advocates for supporting, at least in theory, the establishment of a single, secular, democratic state in the Middle East -- which would effectively erase Israel's Jewish essence.
Said a Democratic Hill staffer who's been tracking Edwards' relationship with the Jewish community: "I'm glad to hear that the distinguished congresswoman from the 4th District is not totally insane on this issue. It does, however, show just how crazy and out of the mainstream the one-state solution remains, even among the most liberal members of Congress."
Referencing the criticism lofted at her last week by Jewish leaders, Edwards explained that her "position in support of a two-state solution is clear and has always been so; to say or imply otherwise is simply incorrect."
That comment appeared to be aimed at J Street, which made in clear last week that if Edwards is to maintain the organizations support -- and money -- she needed to make her two-state stance abundantly clear. Asked to comment Monday on Edwards' speech, a J Street representative declined.
Edwards also struck back against those Jewish detractors who rushed to condemn her participation in the New Policy PAC event, labeling them censors.
"It is disturbing to me that my clearly defined position regarding a two-state solution was questioned so quickly and intensely simply because I agreed to speak before a group of my constituents about these issues, not all of whom share the entirety of my views, nor I theirs," she said, according to a transcript provided by Edwards' office (WJW does not cover events held during the Sabbath).
"These allegations ensued even before I had spoken a single word to all of you, perhaps in an effort to chill my thoughts, perhaps to censor my words, or perhaps to even discourage me from speaking to you at all," Edwards opined. "That is disappointing. All too frequently, these issues are seen as black and white. This over-simplified approach does not reflect realities on the ground among Israelis and Palestinians."
The two-term lawmaker, who's come into conflict with the local Jewish community on several occasions, noted the importance of meeting with those who hold divergent convictions.
"During my tenure in Congress, I have met with constituents with whom I agree and disagree in whole or in part in relation to the Middle East peace process," she explained. "And I am proud and humbled to say that I have learned tremendously even from those with whom I disagree."
Yet Ron Halber, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington's executive director, countered that notion, explaining that Edwards' address -- while quite solid content-wise -- gives New Policy PAC unwarranted legitimacy.
While "pleased" that Edwards emphatically expressed her preference for a two-state solution, "one must understand that when you make a decision with the best of intentions, as being open to dialogue ... you are in essence, whether you like it or not, conferring legitimacy" on the organization, which Halber labeled as being "in the Twilight Zone" when it comes to its position regarding the one-state solution.
"It's up to every member of Congress to determine" with whom they speak "and not for me to create the guidelines for Congresswoman Edwards," Halber added. But "no member of Congress should be accepting money from an organization that actually believes a one-state solution is a viable method for Middle East peace. There are limits to who members of Congress should speak to. Not everything is simply a point of view."
Edwards, though, seems to disagree, stating in her remarks: "As a member of Congress representing people with a wide range of viewpoints on these and other issues, I do not agree always with many individuals or organizations with whom I meet. Nonetheless, it is critical for me to maintain an opportunity for open debate and discussion."
Edwards went on to vent her frustration at groups that, as she sees it, rushed too quickly to condemn her association with New Policy PAC.
"I find it aggravating to insinuate that by engaging simply in a discussion or speaking before an organization, or even being supported by an organization or individual, is an endorsement of a particular position or of all the positions or viewpoints espoused by an organization or an individual," Edwards explained.
In the bulk of her remarks, Edwards expressed her optimism about the potential for the Israelis and Palestinians to finally reach a two-state agreement under President Barack Obama's guidance.
"I am not one of those naysayers," she said. "Despite the current challenges, I am more hopeful than ever before that two states will be realized in the context of the current negotiations."
Article [originally] published here. [link is likely as dead as the jcouncil.org link earlier in this post]
http://washingtonjewishweek.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=13612&SectionID=4&SubSectionID=4&S=1
[Note #2 replacing dead link and content taken offline]
Edwards fundraiser puzzles observers: Lobby group OK with one-state solution in M.E.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
By: Adam Kredo
Washington Jewish Week
The news that Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) is headlining a fundraiser for a lobbying group that "supports establishing a secular democratic state in all of Israel-Palestine" seems to have reopened some old wounds within the pro-Israel community.
Edwards, at times a controversial figure in the local Jewish community, is scheduled to participate Saturday in a fundraiser with the New Policy PAC, a sister organization of NewPolicy.org, a lobby working with Congress to enact legislation to "end the Gaza siege," freeze Jewish settlements and establish a Palestinian state alongside Israel.
An invitation to the event posted on NewPolicy.org's website says that Edwards "will tell us about her work to end the occupation in Israel/Palestine," and that the lawmaker "has been a true friend of Palestinians and their quest for peace and justice."
Ron Halber, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, which helped organize a meeting last year between Edwards and Jewish community leaders, seemed thrown by the lawmaker's participation in the fundraiser.
"The first reaction I have is that I'm puzzled," said Halber, noting that Edwards has repeatedly emphasized her support for a two-state solution.
"We're puzzled as to why she would accept money" from a group giving legitimacy to a one-state solution, something that would effectively end Israel's existence as a Jewish state, Halber said.
"What the Jewish community would like to hear is a reaffirmation of her support for the two-state solution" and to decline money for NewPolicy.org supporters "because it makes no sense -- why would you accept money from a organization whose views you are against?"
Edwards, in a statement issued to WJW, defended her decision to participate in the NewPolicy.org event, and called out her Jewish detractors: "As a long-time advocate of a two-state solution and supporter of an engaged peace process in the Middle East, it is disturbing that I am being attacked because I agreed to speak before a group of my constituents about these issues."
"My position in support of a two-state solution is clear and has always been so; to say or imply otherwise is simply incorrect," the statement continued. "As a member of Congress representing people with a wide range of viewpoints on these and other issues, I do not agree always with some individuals or organizations with whom I meet. Nonetheless, it is critical for me to maintain an opportunity for open debate and discussion."
Edwards' statement went on to emphasize that "it is ridiculous to insinuate that my engaging in a discussion or speaking before an organization, or even being supported by an organization or individual, is an endorsement of a particular position or of all the viewpoints or positions espoused by an organization or individual."
As a two-term lawmaker, Edwards has traversed a rocky road with her Jewish constituents, angering many for, among other things, voting "present" last year on a House resolution condemning Hamas for its rocket attacks on Israel; the resolution passed the chamber 390-5, with 21 members voting present.
Though Congress has been mostly quiet on the Israel front as of late, the NewPolicy.org event has some wondering anew where precisely Edwards stands on the peace process.
Explained an aide to a Democratic pro-Israel member of Congress: "By doing these sort of things, Congresswoman Edwards is telling the pro-Israel community that symbolically, if not substantively, she wants to distinguish herself from the strong pro-Israel majority in Congress, her party, and her country."
The Democratic source, who was not authorized to be interviewed, added that while Edwards has a relatively solid pro-Israel voting record -- repeatedly voting in favor of foreign aid packages that benefit Israel -- her participation in a fundraiser with a group viewed as far left leaves the pro-Israel community confused as to where she stands.
"I've got to believe these actions don't benefit her politically, so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt that she's taken a principled stand and actually believes in these sort of fringe causes," the Democratic source said.
Edwards also has been one of J Street's most high-profile congressional supporters -- the group secured around $30,000 for her last year during a fundraising blitz -- and the organization went to great lengths last week to affirm what it says is Edwards' mainstream views on Middle East peace.
"JStreetPAC supports only candidates that are 100 percent committed to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to the existence of Israel as a democracy and as the homeland of the Jewish people," J Street founder Jeremy Ben Ami said in a statement provided last week to WJW.
"Rep. Donna Edwards has repeatedly reaffirmed her commitment to both of these principles and her opposition to the concept of a 'one-state solution' based on a single, secular state for Israelis and Palestinians," the statement continued, adding that "JStreetPAC disagrees fundamentally on this issue with New Policy PAC, as does Donna Edwards -- that is the basis of our organization's pro-Israel identity and the basis of our support for candidates like Donna Edwards."
By engaging with this group, Hadar Susskind, J Street's director of policy, added last week in an interview, Edwards has "put herself in a position where she needs to make clear that her position" on a two-state solution being the only legitimate avenue to peace "has in no way changed."
Susskind added that he "would have no problem with her speaking to this group and making it clear where she disagrees with them."
NewPolicy.org's executive director, Sama Adnan, defended his groups' assessment of the Middle East peace process, saying, "Basically, we have the same positions as J Street; we just introduce the next logical step."
Adnan, who previously has worked with the Council for the National Interest (CNI), the Arab-American Institute and Jews for Peace in Palestine and Israel, said that while his organization primarily supports and lobbies for a two-state solution, "it's getting more and more difficult to imagine."
He added that "if we can't divide what is know as Eretz Yisrael" into contiguous parcels of land due to the growth of Jewish settlements, NewPolicy.org "would not be opposed to a one-state solution agreed to by the Palestinians and Israelis."
Adnan declined to reveal if his group has held fundraisers for any other members of Congress. As of June, New Policy PAC had raised slightly under $13,000, but has not distributed it to any candidates, according to FEC filings.
Informed of Adnan's insistence that NewPolicy.org is comparable to J Street, Susskind scoffed. "Mr. Adnan should stick to speaking for his organization. His views of what [J Street] believes are clearly mistaken," as J Street in no way views a one-state solution as feasible.
The JCRC's Halber also dismissed NewPolicy.org's position, saying that advocating for both a one-state and two-state solution "is like saying, 'I don't mind living under either a dictatorship or a democracy because, after all, they're both governments.' "
Since Edwards' election in 2008, she has put substantial effort into countering the belief that she is hostile to Israel, as some still claim.
Edwards, for example, held meetings last year with Jewish leaders, including from the JCRC and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and attended the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington's Super Sunday telethon in February.
Still, she's refused to sign several AIPAC-authored letters affirming the U.S.-Israel relationship, such as one circulated in March that said policy differences between the U.S. and Israel "are best resolved quietly, in trust and confidence, as befits long-standing strategic allies." The letter garnered 327 signatures in the House.
Edwards also voted against a House resolution in November condemning the controversial Goldstone report, which was critical of Israel's conduct during the last war in Gaza.
