Israel's Birthday Bash

International controversy comes home!

By LINDSAY BERRIGAN

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On Wednesday night, Bostonian Israel supporters gathered at the JFK Library in Dorchester to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Israel's independence. Gov. Patrick spoke, and Treasurer Tim Cahill was in attendance.

"Massachusetts has a long history of support for Israel that has grown into a thriving partnership that is very much alive today," said Kyle Sullivan, a spokesman for Gov. Patrick in an email. "Over the years we have developed strong cultural, economic and educational bonds with Israel and the governor was proud to represent the Commonwealth at this celebration."

Those on the Palestinian side, though, say that these bonds have more to do with political and economic interest.

"We understand that Governor Patrick is doing what he thinks is politically advisable," said Sherif Fam, member of the steering committee of the Boston Coalition for Palestinian Rights (BCPR). "But we do have reservations about commemorating the 60th anniversary of the birth of Israel."

About 50 to 70 members of the BCPR, Jewish Voice for Peace and other peace groups protested the commemoration last Saturday.

The Israeli Consulate did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Nancy Kaufman, the executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, said she was thrilled the governor attended the celebration. "We've been delighted by response, not just from the governor, but also from the House of Representatives, the senate and the business community in their support of Israel and her quest for peace," she said. "Anyone who advocates for a democratic state of Israel, advocates peace for her neighbors as well. I think that's what we were celebrating, but it's only going to happen once people stand up and say they're against terrorism."

Fam and other Palestine supporters feel that to properly celebrate the Israeli anniversary, the US should also honor those killed in the nakba ("catastrophe" in Arabic), the expulsion of around 700,000 Palestinians from Israel after the First Arab-Israeli War in 1948.

"Nakba is as much of an abomination to Palestinians as the Holocaust is to Jews. No one in the corporate media or mainstream politicians will even approach that," said Fam. "Palestine doesn't have any political pull. The Israeli side has had years of influence on Congress and has a lot of money and influence."

Kaufman insists that Israel is not lobbying on Beacon Hill. "It's the local Jewish community that lives and votes here," she says. "I think it's in both Israel's and the state's best interest to trade with one another."

It's virtually impossible to determine what individual donations Patrick's received because of his support of Israel. The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston has a lobbyist on Beacon Hill.

Sullivan didn't respond to queries on the governor's position on Palestine.