This Could be Big, Folks

The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations (one of the clunkiest titles for an organization ever) represents over 50 Jewish organizations, and as such represents the mainstream of Jewish elite opinion. While this has been building for some time, the statement released today by Conference executives opposing Obama's call for a building freeze in Jerusalem is nevertheless stunning:

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations has long advocated and supported the unity of Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Israel. As such, we believe that legal construction by residents of the city should be allowed as long as it is in keeping with the standards and requirements of the municipality and the national government. We find disturbing the objections raised to the proposed construction of residential units on property that was legally purchased and approved by the appropriate authorities. The area in question houses major Israeli governmental agencies, including the national police headquarters. The United States has in the past and recently raised objections to the removal of illegal structures built by Arabs in eastern Jerusalem even though they were built in violation of zoning and other requirements often on usurped land. In addition to the Jewish housing, the project called for apartment units for Arabs as well.

It is particularly significant that the structure in question formerly was the house of the infamous Mufti of Jerusalem Haj Amin al-Husseini who spent the war years in Berlin as a close ally of Hitler, aiding and abetting the Nazi extermination of Jews. He was also linked to the 1929 massacre in Hebron and other acts of incitement that resulted in deaths and destruction in what was then Palestine. There has been an expressed desire by some Palestinians to preserve the building as a tribute to Husseini.

As a united city, Jerusalem’s Jewish and Arab residents should be permitted to reside wherever legal and security requirements allow. Hundreds of Arab families have moved into Jewish neighborhoods of Jerusalem and the same right should be accorded to Jewish residents in live where they choose in Jerusalem. To do otherwise would undermine and prejudge the status of the city.

No government of Israel has or can pursue a discriminatory policy that would prevent the legitimate presence of Jews in any area of its capital.

The Zionist Organization of America has publicly criticized the Obama Administration over its Israel policy, but it is considered by many to be a rightist group with an political agenda. The Conference, on the other hand, is considered somewhat left of center, and its Chairman, Alan Solow, was an outspoken and enthusiastic Obama supporter during the campaign. Thus the issuance of this rebuke to the administration is seen by some as a turning point in Jewish support for Obama.

Of course it will take more than a press release by an elite Jewish organization to turn the majority of American Jews against Obama. But make no mistake--this is a shot across the bow of S.S. Obama that will have the world of politics and policy take notice.