"Nimrod Novik, a senior foreign policy adviser to former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, sent me another open letter, dated June 8. This one was from Commanders for Israel’s Security, urging Jewish diaspora voices to speak up against the madness in Gaza before they too are consumed by it. I have three reactions to [the] open letters:
First, Amen.
Second, this is what being pro-Israel really sounds like.
Third, it is time for a similar movement calling out Hamas’s vile excesses, led by those who support Palestinian statehood and a peaceful resolution in Gaza"
"There is no organization that I personally and J Street organizationally rely on more to advance the agenda of peace and diplomacy as the only route to long-term security for the people and state of Israel. The credibility that the organization and its members bring to these issues in Congress and in the Jewish community is second to none."
"Commanders for Israel's Security is a movement of over 550 retired senior officials from Israel's defense, security and diplomatic services. The `Commanders,' as they are often
referred to, recently published a letter urging Jewish diaspora voices to speak out in favor of ending the violence in Gaza. They wrote: ``Accused of weakening Israel or betraying their connection to the Jewish state, they are told that those who live abroad or do not serve in the IDF must keep silent. We categorically reject the notion that Jews in the diaspora must remain silent on matters concerning Israel. . . . To those who fear that public criticism undermines Israel, we say that open, honest dialogue only reinforces our democracy and security.'' This is true for this body, too, Mr. Speaker. We all must speak up."
"Commanders for Israel’s Security (CIS), [is]a group now comprising over 600 retired generals, intelligence officials, police chiefs, and diplomats...if patriotism means service, sacrifice, and a lifelong commitment to Israel’s security, then these men and women are still its embodiment... They have commanded troops, fought on front lines, coordinated life-saving intelligence operations, and led negotiations that have brought soldiers and civilians home. Their careers are testimonies to the Zionist dream in action."
"...anyone who cares about Israel’s well-being shouldn’t be silent about anti-Palestinian settler terrorism in the West Bank and the nothing-much-to-see-here policy of Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister...That’s the point of a public letter to President Trump, issued Sunday by Matan Vilnai, a retired deputy chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, on behalf of [Commanders for Israel's Security] an organization that includes hundreds of retired senior Israeli officers."
"At this crossroads for Israel’s security and democracy, few voices are more respected, more reflective of Jewish values, more authoritative on why peace through diplomacy is indispensable for preserving the Israel of the founders than Commanders for Israel’s Security."
"...retired officers from the army, police, Shin Bet security service, and Mossad spy agency with the rank of brigadier general (or its equivalent) and up have joined Commanders for Israel’s Security, a movement established in 2014 that calls for preserving the future option of a two-state solution...How, then, to explain all these senior military professionals all saying the same thing? “I call it ‘the reality principle, stupid!’”
"The North American Jewish community is engaged in a great struggle over how we should relate to Israel and the Palestinians... The Commanders for Israeli Security...bridge the gap in our community between those factions who support Israel unconditionally and those who believe Israeli actions are unjust and destructive...I urge you to support the Commanders for Israeli Security for their work in Israel and in the Diaspora."