Proposed Sudan Boycott Drawing Resistance

The Jewish Week reports on “a proposal to put the umbrella Jewish group in line behind efforts to impose divestment on Sudan because of the genocide in Darfur.�

Let us be clear – if successful, this proposal will accomplish nothing in terms of stopping the bloodshed. But it will successfully put a big sign up that yids with glass houses like to throw stones.

Fortunately, this time there is resistance.

Doug Chandler reports,

“The proposal, which comes up for a vote next week at JCPA’s annual four-day plenum, is drawing its critics, who fear that an economic boycott of any country could be used against Israel, itself the target of divestment efforts.�

So who are the realists? This is where it gets interesting.

“Hadassah’s leaders also discussed the issue, despite “a hard and fast policy� of not endorsing any economic boycott, said Ellyn Lyons, chairwoman of the organization’s Israel, Zionist and International Affairs Department. Although all of them clearly believe that Darfur is an “extraordinary situation,� she said, they also believe that any boycott could be a “slippery slope,� with unintended consequences for Israel.

Both Hadassah and the Philadelphia JCRC have been in the forefront of protesting the slaughter in Darfur, meeting with elected officials on the issue and sending large contingents to “Save Darfur� rallies.�

However we understand Darfur, I think we should all agree that there is no sense in promoting a policy which accomplishes nothing AND puts Israel at risk.