To the Government of Israel,
A democracy is based on the rule of law (including, above all,international law which prohibits the genocide and war crimes that havebeen perpetrated on the Jewish people during the last century). It isntirely appropriate (and indeed necessary) for citizen’s groups to monitorthe actions of their government and to make sure that these actions conformto legal standards. Indeed, it is the duty of all citizens in a democraticstate to hold government officials and members of the armed forcesaccountable for their actions under law.
By threatening Gush Shalom with legal action (and hence punishment) forinsisting on the rule of law, the government of Israel has in factthreatened the very existence of democracy in Israel. The same currents offanaticism and intolerance that support the illegal occupation of the WestBank and Gaza and oppression of the Palestinian people have predictablyextended their wrath and hatred to those Jews in Israel who dissent fromthese odious policies. If the government of Israel continues its attempt tointimidate Gush Shalom, it will only increase the isolation of Israel fromthe community of civilized nations.
I call upon the government of Israel to cease this disgraceful violation ofdemocratic norms.
Warren Montag
Professor of English and Comparative Literature
Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA