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June 6, 2003/Sivan 6 5763, Vol. 55, No. 41
100,000 marchers - how many opinions?
RACHEL POMERANCE
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
NEW YORK - Along New York City's rain-soaked Fifth Avenue, more than 100,000 Jews marched for Israel, rallying for a single cause. Asked their take on the "road map" peace plan, however, the marchers' answers were anything but uniform.
Even within Jewish organizations, individuals marching under a single banner at the annual Salute to Israel Parade, June 1, often held opposing views: One would praise the road map's merits, while another would interject to point out its flaws.
Some expressed faith, even certainty, in President Bush's commitment to Israeli security, while others said Bush might bend under political pressure.
Several cringed at per-ceived American pressure on Israel, while a few said the intervention of the United States and other countries was critical for peace.
Some appeared optimistic about the road map's chances for success, while others rejected it as misguided.
Despite the cacophony of views, however, one theme was clear: After nearly three years of the Palestinian intifada American Jews want peace, but they're ap-proaching it with a heavy dose of skepticism.
"Everybody is fooling themselves. Everyone has kind of learned to say the words" in favor of peace, but then they continue "to do whatever they want to do," said Michael Klein, 42, a modern Orthodox Jew from Woodmere, N.Y., who plans to make aliyah with his family next month.
Genie Lehr, 72, an activist with NA'AMAT USA, thinks the road map may be a way out of the quagmire of violence.
"If there's a chance to save lives, that's what I want to see," Lehr said.
That's when one of her fellow activists stepped in.
"We'd be funding a terrorist state," said Myrna Lewak of Oceanside, N.Y.
Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas "is still controlled by" P.A. President Yasser Arafat, "and he won't dismantle Hamas," said Lewak.
Adam Weintraub, 33, a real estate executive from Staten Island, N.Y., said he has faith in President Bush.
Bush "has to appease both sides, and obviously you know what side he's on," he said - "solely with Israel."
Many at the parade - such as David Cohen, 42, an accountant from Fort Lee, N.J. - opposed the plan.
"As the road map stands right now, I reject it," he said, noting that it could be used to divide Jerusalem and offer a "right of return" for millions of Palestinian refugees to their former homes inside Israel.
Many, jaded by the conflict, simply can't see a way out.
More Israelis will be killed, and Palestinians will "keep saying they're sorry," said Herbert Gordon, 68, of Teaneck, N.J.
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