Dissident Veteran For Peace

Right: In Washington, DC, Eve Ensler, playwright and women's rights activist receives a Lion of Judah pin from Sandra Cahn, Campaign Chair of the United Jewish Communities (UJC) National Women's Constituency. Note the Israeli flag in the background (Source: UJC).

Most readers will probably know of Eve Ensler as the author of The Vagina Monologues. However, Ensler is also part of the Zionist cadre undermining the progressive community in their efforts for justice and peace. According to a Jerusalem Post article (12/26/2002) featured on Ensler's V-Day web site:

For the past three years, V-Day delegations, led by Ensler, have traveled to dozens of locations, including places as far apart as Kenya, Rome, the Philippines, Brussels, and Kosovo, to meet with girls at risk, victims of domestic violence and war, and to provide encouragement and support for local feminist organizations. In Afghanistan, Ensler wore a burqa (the tent-like cover that women have been forced to wear) for days, to understand women's oppression.

For some members of the delegation, the trip to Israel and Palestine was another stop on this program. But for Ensler the trip had additional meanings. In the US, Ensler is actively involved in the organized Jewish community, and has even been awarded a "Lion of Judah" in recognition of her activities and philanthropic donations. Her life-partner, Ariel Jordan, a psychotherapist and filmmaker, was born and raised here, and they have visited several times before.

Here is an excerpt from the opening day press release of the conference at which Ensler was honored:

Dede Feinberg, Chair of the International Lion of Judah Conference, added: "I hope the attendees will get a deeper understanding of the challenges we face as women, as Jews and as philanthropists, as well as how much more influence and strength women can have when we work together as activists in the broader community. In addition, I hope that the participants will collectively identify with the people of Israel. In turn, the Israeli attendees at the conference will see that we are united with them in these trying times, and when they return home, they can assure all Israelis of our unwavering support."

Among the speakers and panelists: Kenneth R. Feinberg, Special Master of the September 11 Victim's Compensation Fund; Steven Emerson, NBC Terrorism Analyst and Executive Director of The Investigative Project; Filmmaker Aviva Kempner; Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon; former congresswoman and vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro; Nadine Strossen, President of the American Civil Liberties Union; Robert G. Kaiser, Associate Editor of The Washington Post; Limor Livnat, Israeli Minister of Education; Ambassador Alon Pinkas of the Israeli Consulate in New York; Naomi Levine, Chair and Executive Director, Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising at New York University; Aaron David Miller, Senior Advisor for Arab-Israeli Negotiations in the U.S. State Department; Irwin Cotler, member of the Canadian Parliament and Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee; Richard Joel, President and International Director of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life; and Eve Ensler, playwright, activist and Artistic Director of the award-winning play, "The Vagina Monologues." ...

Underscoring the solidarity and unity existing between North American and World Jewry and the people of Israel, especially during this challenging time in the Jewish homeland, conference attendees will launch a new UJC initiative to send a message of comfort to Israeli children. Attendees are bringing new, stuffed teddy bears, which will be collected and distributed to Israeli children for Hanukkah.

According to the UJC web site: "Keeping Israel safe, strong and prosperous has always been a top priority for the North American Jewish Community. It is UJC's mandate to offer meaningful support in times of need and to promote individual connection through travel opportunities and educational programs."

In 2005, Ensler jumped on the Zionist-led Darfur bandwagon and joined other members of the Cruise Missile Left in adding her name to an "Open Letter to President Bush on Darfur, Urging Specific Actions to Stop Ongoing Genocide." The letter asserted:

First, the U.S. must assert leadership at the United Nations (UN) by circulating a resolution calling for a stronger civilian protection mandate for the African Union mission and for a broader international force under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter.

Second, the U.S. must encourage the UN to quickly approve and assemble a robust international force, under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, to integrate or co-deploy with the African Union and reinforce its efforts. Such a force can be assembled with troop contributions and financial & logistical support from additional countries within and outside the African continent.

Mr. President, genocide is a unique crime and it requires a unique and urgent response. We can still save thousands of lives in Darfur if we act now. We look to you to provide strong leadership to stop the genocide in Darfur by supporting an international intervention force to protect the people of Darfur as a critical first step to bringing peace and stability to this troubled region. (emphasis added)

In case you didn't catch it, they're calling for George Bush--man of peace--and the United States--paragon of justice--to take the lead in bringing more FORCE to bear in Sudan.

I'll let you know when Ensler signs an open letter calling for the US to support a "robust ... international intervention force" to stop the ongoing Jewish genocide against Palestinians. Until then, don't hold your breath.

Last revised: 1/29/2007

Labels: Darfur, Ensler, Israel, Zionism