Response by True Torah Jews to LA Times Article:

Presbyterians' Shameful Boycott
By Alan M. Dershowitz
August 4, 2004

Mr. Dershowitz’ article represents the typical Zionist response to any criticism of the actions of the Zionist state: That any criticism of Israel is automatically “anti-Semitic”.

In point of fact, the Presbyterian resolution condemns the acts of violence by both sides of the conflict stating: “Horrific acts of violence and deadly attacks on innocent people, whether carried out by Palestinian suicide bombers or by the Israeli military, are abhorrent and inexcusable by all measures, and are a dead-end alternative to a negotiated settlement of the conflict.” (Para. 4-c)

Further, far from supporting terrorism, as Mr. Dershowitz asserts, the resolution outlines steps both sides of the conflict should take to create peace in the Middle East.

True Torah Jews neither support nor oppose the Presbyterian resolution; we object to the assertion that condemnation and denunciation of the actions of the Zionist state is anti-Semitic.

Mr. Dershowitz’ statement “Unless the church rescinds this immoral, sinful and bigoted denigration of the Jewish state, it will be "participating in" and "contributing to" anti-Jewish bigotry and the encouragement of terrorism.” promotes the misguided belief that to oppose Israel is to be anti-Semitic and pro-terrorism.

In contrast to the pro-Zionist position of Mr. Dershowitz, the great statesman Secretary of State Colin Powell, a supporter of traditional Judaism, has the courage to separate Judaism from Zionism and to acknowledge that speaking out against the actions of the Zionist state is not “anti-Semitism”.

It is the position of True Torah Jews that Zionism and the existence of the Zionist State is in total contradiction to traditional Judaism and that the so-called “state of Israel” is not a “Jewish state”, but a “Zionist state”. Therefore, criticism and condemnation of the actions of the Zionist state is not anti-Semitic nor does it represent “anti-Jewish bigotry”.

Rabbi Joseph Dershowitz