The Jerusalem Fig Leaf

The latest assault on Israeli sovereignty comes from an unexpected direction. The Orthodox Union, together with a coalition of less-reputable Jewish American organizations, has launched a campaign arguing that the Israeli government lacks the authority to negotiate over Jerusalem.

This coalition is not the first to scorn the idea of an independent Jewish and democratic state. Israel?s 1948 Declaration of Independence sparked a war with Arab states. The United Nations equated Zionism with racism. Far left-wing intellectuals promoted the idea of a binational state. Islamic fundamentalists posited that Jews could never rule over land once held by Muslims.

In an age when many American Jews are estranged from Israel, it should be considered a positive development to see American Jewish organizations suggest an opinion about the best course of action for Israel to take. But this unholy coalition is doing more than expressing an opinion or offering advice. It is presuming to deny Israel the right to make its own decisions.

What happens in Jerusalem, they say, is too important an issue for the sovereign State of Israel to decide. Rabbi Pesach Lerner, who leads the umbrella organization of Orthodox synagogues in America, made this clear in a statement posted on the Web site of the new coalition, which calls itself the Coordinating Council on Jerusalem. "This is not a decision any Israeli government can make unilaterally," he said.

I share the sentiments of those who are not prepared to forget Jerusalem. As a Jew, I know that Jerusalem houses the Holy of Holies. I remember the Covenant. I am secure enough in my faith to know that no decision by Israel or any other human creation could change that.

So what is the Jerusalem hyperbole really all about? It's about hiding a dangerously hawkish political agenda, one that could ultimately threaten Israel's very existence. It's about derailing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Next week, Israel's elected prime minister will launch negotiations with the elected Palestinian president to seek a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If successful, these negotiations could usher in an era of peace and prosperity for Israel and its neighbors. Yet, there is no chance that a peace process could succeed without negotiations on Jerusalem.

Jerusalem, you see, is not simply Judaism?s spiritual center. It is holy to Christians and Muslims, too. It is Israel?s capital. And it is a focal point of Palestinian national aspirations. It is home to some 400,000 Israeli Jews, but also to more than 200,000 Palestinians. It is a city of people and of traffic jams, of playgrounds, of sewer systems, hospitals and schools. Far away from the emotionally charged rhetoric that so often surrounds discussions on Jerusalem, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators will need to address all these realities so their people can live their lives in peace, security and dignity.

Those who would deny Israel's elected government the right to negotiate over Jerusalem ignore these realities. Not only do they fail to offer any realistic alternative to negotiations, they also turn a blind eye to the very real threats facing Israel.

What would happen to Israel if it were unable to negotiate a two-state solution? It would continue to rule over a hostile Palestinian population, with all the moral quandaries and security costs the occupation entails. In that context, the efforts to delegitimize Israel, including charges of 'apartheid,' will certainly grow stronger.

Without a political solution, Israel will also be robbed of an important tool with which to defend itself from terrorist attacks. By now it should be clear to all that military action alone cannot defeat terrorism. This was one of the clearest lessons learned from Israel?s 2006 war with Hezbollah.

Moreover, Israel's very existence as a Jewish and democratic state would be threatened by the changing demography of the region: By the year 2020, Arabs are projected to outnumber Jews by 20 percent in the territory located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Without a negotiated two-state solution, how long would Israel be able to hold out?

Let us not mince words: Israel's elected leaders have the legitimacy to make the decisions necessary to safeguard Israel and its citizens. Rather than making common cause with fundamentalists who oppose any negotiations over Jerusalem, American Jews should embrace Israel?s efforts to relaunch the peace process.

Noam Shelef is the director of strategic communications for Americans for Peace Now, a national Zionist organization working to enhance Israel?s security through peace.