Like Daniel in the lion’s den, Marcy Winograd challenged fellow Jews to consider the “two narratives” in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during a 36th Congressional District candidates’ debate last Wednesday.
The debate was hosted by Democrats for Israel, who invited the four leading Democratic contenders for the seat vacated in February by Jane Harman to participate. Harman was an outspoken supporter of Israel during her 18 years representing the South Bay.
Emmy Award winning NBC 4 reporter Conan Nolan emceed the debate. In addition to Winograd, a high school English teacher, it included Media Eagles entertainment agency owner Dan Adler, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen and Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn. The audience filled the Hermosa Beach Community Center’s 99-seat small theater and spilled out into the hallway.
“As a Jew, I grew up with one narrative, that because of the Holocaust and the pogroms, we must support a homeland in Israel so Jews can seek refuge – ‘A land without a people for a people without a land,’” she said.
“But another narrative is what the Palestinians refer to as the ‘Nakba,’ or catastrophe, with the [1948] establishment of Israel and the expulsion of one million Palestinians from their homes.”
“We cannot ignore this narrative,” Winograd said.
“How could the world allow Israel to be established on land where one million Palestinians were living…Talk about Europe’s atonement for the sins of the Nazis – this was the reason it was allowed. If not for the Holocaust, we would not deny the humanity of people who live there and bar them from their homeland.”
Adler, whose father is a Holocaust survivor, responded, “I agree with Marcy, there are two narratives.” And he acknowledged the issue’s complexity, stating, “If I had a solution, I would not be sitting here now. It is complex, created by all sorts of reasons and people. I hope younger generations will be less emotional about the history and able to craft a solution. I’ve yet to meet one Israeli, or Palestinian, including a 22-year-old intelligence officer and a leader of the Palestinian Authority, who does not yearn for lasting peace and equality.
“But we need to focus on what is right, what can be fixed,” he said.
He challenged Winograd’s characterization of Israel as an apartheid state that invites comparison to the formerly white-ruled South Africa.
“Israel’s constitution states it is open to all peoples and all religions. I’ve spent time in Israel with Christians, Muslims, Jews and atheist, and Israel is all of those.
“Israel has 1.5 million Arab citizens, out of a population of 7.5 million. They carry Israeli passports, vote in elections, and serve in the Knesset, and on the Supreme Court. When an Arab political party was thrown off the ballot because it advocated the destruction of Israel, the Supreme Court rule it should be reinstated because Israel believes in freedom of speech,” Adler said.
Bowen and Hahn both expressed strong, though not unconditional support for Israel.
“I’ve never been a bomb thrower,” Bowen said. “I try to keep my powder dry, to respect all sides and see where we can bridge the differences….It is important to keep the context in mind, the context of the attempted extermination [of the Jews].
Bowen said that on a trip to the Israeli port city of Haifa three years ago, to study port security, she visited a village “with bomb shelters every few feet. Once a rocket was launched, there was 16 seconds to get in a bomb shelter. No one should have to live with that anxiety. “
“Settlements are not conducive to peace, but neither are rockets. It will take Palestinians and Israelis agreeing to make peace. There are things we can do to facilitate that. The U.S. has a history of encouraging people to come together, and not leaving until that is accomplished. We need to set aside some of the noise and keep our eye on the long term gains,” Bowen said.
Hahn, during her comments, said, “I’m a friend of Israel, but also a friend of peace. The two are not mutually exclusive. We need a two-state solution for a secure Israel and a prosperous Palestine. The recent settlements were inappropriate and didn’t help the peace process. But a peaceful solution can’t be imposed. They need to work it out themselves.”
“We’d do more of what’s right for right’s sake if we got off our dependency on foreign oil. I think our decisions are formed by our dependency on oil,” Hahn said.
The four Democrats are among 16 candidates, including six Republicans, who are campaigning for Harman’s former seat. As a result of Proposition 14, unless one candidate receives over 50 percent of the vote in the May 17 special election, the top two finishers will advance to the July 12 run-off, regardless of party affiliation.
