TOP Opinion. Tradition. CYCLING WHO'S THE CHALLENGE RACE TO BANKROLLING JEWISH OF JEWISH OPEN IN VOICE FOR PEACE? REPENTANCE ISRAEL A2. A10. A11. THE algemeiner JOURNAL A Good & Healthy New Year 5778 $1.00 - PRINTED IN NEW YORK FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 | 2 TISHREI 5778 VOL. XLV NO. 2324 Netanyahu Meets Media in Turkey Inciting Anti-semitism US Jewish Leaders, Over Kurdish Addresses Western Independence Wall Controversy Referendum BY BEN COHEN As the impending referendum on independence for the Kurdish region of Iraq draws closer, pro-government media outlets in Turkey – which remains bitterly opposed to Kurdish self-determination – are energetically promoting conspiracy theories centered on the alleged relations between Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani and the Israeli authorities. Women of the Wall members read from the Torah at the Robinson's Arch egalitarian prayer site, near the Western Wall plaza. Photo: Woman of the Wall. Israelis of Kurdish origin demonstrating at the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv in 2010. Photo: File. Th e latest antisemitic salvo in the Turkish press claims that Barzani and the Israelis have agreed on the BY JNS.ORG Several unnamed sources sented at the meeting included resettlement of 200,000 Jews in territory controlled by the who attended the meeting said the American Israel Public Aff airs Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq following “Th e meeting took place in an outcome was “good” and “positive,” Committee (AIPAC), the Confer- the referendum – currently scheduled for September 25. excellent atmosphere,” according reported Haaretz, with Netanya- ence of Presidents of Major While Kurdish leaders are reported to be considering “alter- to a statement released by the hu’s approach "forthcoming." But American Jewish Organizations, natives” to the referendum given the international unease Prime Minister’s Offi ce. no concrete promises were made the Jewish Federations of North with the prospect of Kurdish independence, Barzani told a Jewish leaders asked Netan- regarding the construction of a America and the American Jewish pro-independence rally on Saturday, “To this date, we still have not received the alternative that could take the place of yahu for clarifi cation regarding new egalitarian prayer pavilion at Committee (AJC). the referendum, and therefore cast your votes on September the creation of “a united prayer the Jerusalem holy site. platform,” at the Western Wall. Jewish organizations repre- Continued on Page A3 ShabbatCalendar Parshat HA'AZINU Times for New York City, Friday Candle Lighting Shabbat Begins: 6:34pm | Shabbat Ends: 7:31pm פרשת האזינו :Intersectionality Times for New York City, Rosh Hashana Candle Lighting ראש השנה Yom Tov Begins Wednesday: 6:38pm | Th ursday Light after:7:35 pm | Th e New Friday Rosh Hashana Ends: 7:31pm | Sunday Fast of Gedalia Ends: 7:17pm False God P.O.B. 250746, Brooklyn, NY 11225-3203 Tel: (718) 771.0400 | Fax: (718) 771.0308 page A8 Email: [email protected] www.algemeiner.com © Copyright 2016 e Algemeiner Journal - All Rights Reserved. A2 | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2017 Opinion. Who’s Bankrolling Jewish Voice for Peace’s New Anti-Israel Campaign? façade and veneer of Jewish legitimacy for the ties, including police shootings. JVP’s program anti-Israel boycott, divestment and sanctions thus sets Jews up as part of, and the driving (BDS) movement — among other things. force behind, a white supremacist power MIRIAM F. ELMAN Appropriating the language of human rights structure oppressing people of color. SYRACUSE and social justice causes, JVP presents itself as Fast on the heels of this repugnant an organization committed merely to ending campaign, JVP’s latest initiative — “#Return- Israel’s “occupation” and to advancing civil Th eBirthright” — takes aim at Taglit-Birthright Why is a highly-regarded philanthropic liberties and democracy through non-violent Israel, an organization that, since 1999, has organization fi nancing a radical, anti-Israel means. But its tactics and affi liations tell a sponsored short trips to Israel for 18-26 extremist group that is now campaigning to very diff erent story. year-old Jews. Th ese trips are aimed at shut down the largest and most successful Th e truth is that JVP’s leadership and strengthening these young people’s Jewish activists promote and uplift killers of Jews, identity and connection to Israel. Muhlenberg College students leaving for a Jewish educational endeavor on the planet? Birthright Israel trip. Photo: Facebook via Hillel: On June 22, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and stand proudly with heinous terrorists; What’s more, the timing of JVP’s campaign Taglit-Birthright Israel. (RBF) awarded the California-headquartered they partner with extremists individuals isn’t random. JVP is trying to convince young Solidarity Movement and Green Olive Tours. Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) a second grant who delegitimize Israel, while propagating Jews not to sign up for Birthright Israel trips But none of these organizations are benign. for general support for its operations. negative stereotypes of Jews; they usurp Jewish at the very moment that college students In fact, most of them are vehemently anti- Th e two-year award, totaling $140,000, is holidays and faith-based traditions in order across America are returning to campus — Israel organizations that support the global meant to assist JVP’s program goal of advancing to vilify Israel as a violent outlaw state; they and registration for winter Birthright visits are BDS movement, and work to isolate, delegiti- a “just and durable peace” in the Middle East. bully, harass and ostracize Jews who identify underway. mize and demonize the Jewish state. Th ey Th e grant is an indication of RBF’s confi dence with Zionism; they work to defl ect allegations Basically, JVP’s latest campaign openly deliver anti-Israel propaganda while egging in JVP’s leadership and its activities. It brings of antisemitism by always claiming that they, and brazenly targets a popular college on tourists to clash with Israel’s police and the RBF’s contribution to JVP’s “peacebuilding” “as Jews,” support their racist allies; and they study abroad program, in an attempt to stop security forces at checkpoints and at Pales- eff orts to a respectable $280,000 (an earlier openly produce anti-Jewish propaganda and American-Jewish youth from participating tinian protests. $140,000 grant for the same program goal was traffi c in age-old antisemitic canards and in a rewarding educational opportunity that Taglit-Birthright is a hugely successful awarded back in 2015). tropes about Jewish money and power. enables them to engage with their peers program that builds up a life-long love of Funding a constituency for peace is JVP advances this virulently anti-Israel overseas. Jewish life, and a deepened connection to laudable. But by fi nancing JVP, the reality is and anti-Jewish agenda via a relentless series JVP wants American-Jewish youth to Israel for those who take these trips. In nearly that the RBF is supporting anti-Israel demoni- of heavily-hyped national campaigns. It’s most boycott a way of learning about their heritage. 20 years, the program has brought more zation and antisemitic activism that is actually recent initiative — called “Deadly Exchange” Instead, the group is encouraging these than 600,000 Jewish young adults to Israel. contributing to the intractability of the Middle — which was rolled out this spring and college kids to go on any one of 47 “alterna- Th ey’ve come from 67 countries (including East confl ict. revamped over the summer, blames Israel tive tours” to Israel and the West Bank. Th ese 50 US states) and from nearly 1,000 colleges. JVP enables, legitimizes and and major Jewish American organizations trips include tours with outfi ts with innocuous for policing problems in minority communi- sounding names, such as the International mainstreams antisemitism by providing a Continued on Page A4 Where Does Israel Fit in a Jewish Future Without Faith? especially younger Jews, see Israel and structionist. More than one third, 37 percent, the Zionism as a burden on the conscience of say they are “just Jewish.” Th ree percent claim Algemeiner Journal JONATHAN S. TOBIN Jewish liberals. Th at ignores the context of a to be “something else,” and six percent refuse to confl ict that continues largely because the answer or say they don’t know. JNS.ORG (USPS 927800) is published weekly Palestinians have refused to make peace. But But if you look only at Jews under 30, the (except for the week of Passover while arguments about Netanyahu’s short- numbers break down this way: Reform, 20 and Succos) comings are hindrances to Jewish solidarity, percent; Conservative, 8 percent; Orthodox,15 Subscription rate $40 per year For Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s they’re not the real problem. percent; Reconstructionist, 3 percent and just Algemeiner Journal political opponents, his government’s woes A new study from the Public Religion Jewish, 44 percent. 508 Montgomery Street aren’t just an opportunity to score political Research Institute provides some sobering Th e key point is the “just Jewish” tag Brooklyn, N.Y. 11225-3023 points at his expense. Th ey also provide easy- data about Jewish affi liation. Four years doesn’t so much connote independence of to-understand explanations for the question after the Pew Research Center published its, synagogues as it does a sense of Jewish identity Periodicals Postage that nags at the margins of every debate about “Portrait of Jewish Americans,” that detailed devoid of religion or any substance more than Paid at Brooklyn, N.Y. American Jewish attitudes toward Israel. the toll assimilation and intermarriage have a vestigial memory of the past. A whopping and at additional mailing o ces Every negative development or unpopular taken on Jewish identity in this country, the 33 percent do not regard themselves as being POSTMASTER: decision associated with the prime minister PRRI survey reveals that these trends have Jewish by religion.