Lynch talks about Middle East at Temple Beth Shalom in Needham, offers few solutions

Congressman Stephen Lynch, D-9th, who is in a contested race for re-election, visited Temple Beth Shalom in Needham, amid tight security, for a “noncampaign event.” He spoke to a packed house Monday, June 21, about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but offered few solutions or strong stances on the subject.

Lynch, who has traveled extensively in the Middle East, including 12 visits to Iraq, five to Afghanistan and several others to Israel, said that the Middle East is an important area and issue to be working on.

“It’s a complicated region,” Lynch said. “Problems and issues have come along like a conveyor belt. If we can find a solution for this region, the impact will be so profound.”

Lynch emphasized the significance of attempting to resolve the problems there.

“The effect won’t be just for the Middle East but for the world,” Lynch said. “Not just for us, but for future generations.”

Lynch specifically focused on the Gaza Strip and how the problems there have increased dramatically over the last few decades.

“The shift is generational,” he said. “There used to be a social connection, on a basic level. They [Israelis and Palestinians] saw each other as neighbors, back in the days when Palestinians went to work in Israel.”

Today this situation has ended, according to Lynch. Now, the younger Israeli and Palestinian generations have no knowledge of each other.

“There are much more tragic and fatalistic terms,” Lynch said. “There is palpable tension and anger there.”

He said the Gaza blockade has created very difficult conditions for the average Gaza resident.

“There is a lack of building materials,” he said. “There’s been a blockade of basic building supplies like cement and lumber. People are living in tents, and there is an unemployment rate of 60 percent among males from ages 18-35.”

Lynch that there needs to be a complete rethinking of the blockade in Gaza.

“We need to end this blockade,” he said. “It is not helping in the long term. It is engendering great fury among those people.”

Lynch said that he has consistently supported aid to Israel. He said that it is essential for the United States to be there.

“With support, we can build on the United States/Israel friendship,” he said. “It is a tough time right now with the economy down and with funds hard to find, but it is the right thing to do.

“The United States needs to continue to help Israel move to a better place than it is today,” he said. “The United States can have a strong and meaningful role with Israel’s protection, freedom and democracy.”

Derrek Shulman, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, said that engaging elected leaders, such as Lynch, is vital for the Middle East cause.

“We need to take every opportunity to continue the Middle East conversation,” Shulman said. “We must continue talking about the important relationship between the United States and Israel.”

Stuart Rossman, past president of the Jewish Community Relations Council, stressed that this was not a campaign event for Lynch.

“This is an opportunity to discuss an issue of mutual concern,” Rossman said. “The wonderful numbers [of people] here show the community’s concern of Israel’s status in the Middle East.”

Rabbi Jay Perlman said that having elected officials such as Lynch speak is informative for the congregation.  

“It will lead to better understanding and more meaningful action,” Perlman said. “Eventually, it will hopefully bring peace to Israel and beyond.”