Rabbi Lerner's views are welcomed in the coalition. He is an important
spokesperson for the movement for peace and justice in Israel and Palestine.
It was because he criticized one of the coalition partners, ANSWER, in the
New York Times and over TikkunMail, that the coalition, including the Tikkun
representative present at the meeting, decided that we were capable of finding another speaker with views similar to his who did not openly attack a coalition partner. Therefore the question of Rabbi Lerner speaking was never even brought before the coalition’s program committee. The proviso that anyone who had taken such action would not be welcomed to speak can be debated, but it was agreed to well in advance by all members of this coalition.
We work with all of our allies to ensure that our movement remains free of
anti-Semitism as well as sexism, homophobia, racism, classism and any other
form of marginalization. We work hard every day to address the legitimate
concerns raised by some in our community regarding their discomfort and feelings of isolation as Jews in the anti-war movement by engaging with both
our allies in the peace movement and the Jewish community. We stand in unity
with Tikkun in calling for a joint Jewish anti-war, anti-occupation contingent. We stand in unity with the coalition of organizations who are sponsoring this march in opposing the attack on Iraq. We intend to continue working with both groups, and not choose sides in this destructive conflict.
spokesperson for the movement for peace and justice in Israel and Palestine.
It was because he criticized one of the coalition partners, ANSWER, in the
New York Times and over TikkunMail, that the coalition, including the Tikkun
representative present at the meeting, decided that we were capable of finding another speaker with views similar to his who did not openly attack a coalition partner. Therefore the question of Rabbi Lerner speaking was never even brought before the coalition’s program committee. The proviso that anyone who had taken such action would not be welcomed to speak can be debated, but it was agreed to well in advance by all members of this coalition.
We work with all of our allies to ensure that our movement remains free of
anti-Semitism as well as sexism, homophobia, racism, classism and any other
form of marginalization. We work hard every day to address the legitimate
concerns raised by some in our community regarding their discomfort and feelings of isolation as Jews in the anti-war movement by engaging with both
our allies in the peace movement and the Jewish community. We stand in unity
with Tikkun in calling for a joint Jewish anti-war, anti-occupation contingent. We stand in unity with the coalition of organizations who are sponsoring this march in opposing the attack on Iraq. We intend to continue working with both groups, and not choose sides in this destructive conflict.