Brussels, 05/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - The creation of the European Jewish movement JCall, instigated by MEPs and European Jewish figures (see EUROPE 10130), has brought strong reaction from supporters of Israel in Europe. A counter initiative is being set up and has been named “Keeping reason”, contrary to JCall's “Call for reason”. The people behind JCall are, according to those working on “Keeping reason”, “a group of intellectuals and well-known figures making much of their Jewish-ness as proof of objectivity (which) has launched a selective initiative 'Call for reason' which they are trying to broadcast as widely as possible”.
“In fact,” go on the supporters of “Keeping reason”, “this call runs counter to its stated aims. The political offensive which underlies it is clear for all to see”. They continue: “The idea of peace imposed on Israel by pressure, or even intervention by the major powers, is a denial of democracy and international law and stinks of neo-colonialism. It rides roughshod over the free choice of the democracy of Israel and forms a dangerous precedent to all other democracies. It has its basis in a US president who has failed to stand up to the mortal enemy that is Iran and in a European Union which is identified globally with the Palestinian cause”. This second group of petitioners says that Israel faces “the threat of extermination repeated by Iran and its satellite states which hem it in to the north, Hezbollah, to the south, Gaza”. After setting out at length the facts to back up their view that Israel is the only one seeking peace in the region, the signatories of the counter-call state: “In the face of the real threats to the very existence of Israel, threats which compromise the chances of lasting peace in the Middle East, we, as citizens of the European Union, intend to build a genuine mediatory opinion-forming movement within the EU. The aim of this movement will be to defend and demonstrate the legitimacy of the state of Israel within the framework of genuine peace, and to combat the anti-Semitism which is escalating dangerously”. (F.B./transl.rt)