Who are you guys?   (QUESTIONS | PAGE TOP)

Support Sanity™ an independent public campaign sponsored by Ideas in Action LLC and directed by Adam Rose. Internally, we are currently a small organization without formal boards of directors or advisors, though we hope to add these in due course. Externally, we are a network of like-minded organizations and individuals working towards common goals. We seek to operate as a Jewish/Israeli-Palestinian/Arab partnership to the greatest extent possible. We are also investigating alternative ways of institutionalizing this work. Please contact us if you have suggestions or would like to be be involved. See also: About Us, Work with Us.

Where does the money go?  Are you a non-profit?   (QUESTIONS | PAGE TOP)

As we say here, "We're certainly non-profit so far!" Technically, in our present incarnation we are a for-profit enterprise that has been funded by its founders. Over the long term, we hope to generate profits that can be plowed back into the campaign, shared with others doing similar work, and provide modest compensation to those who work on the campaign. As we also say here: "Making a Living, Not a Killing". See also: About Us, Our Thinking.

Are you pro-Palestinian?   (QUESTIONS | PAGE TOP)

Yes. Absolutely. We believe that the cause of Palestinian national self-determination is a just one, though we absolutely condemn many of the methods used to pursue that cause. In addition to being immoral, we believe these methods are counterproductive, making the establishment of a secure, prosperous and democratic Palestine harder to achieve. Indeed, because such a Palestine can exist only if it enjoys the friendship of its neighbors, including Israel, we believe that it is essential for Palestinians to clearly articulate their support for a secure, prosperous and democratic Israel. It's called "enlightened self-interest" and we think it's the only stance that makes sense. See also: Our Thinking.

Are you pro-Israeli?   (QUESTIONS | PAGE TOP)

Yes. Absolutely. We believe that the cause of Israeli / Jewish national self-determination is a just one, though we absolutely condemn many of the methods used to pursue that cause. In addition to being immoral, we believe these methods are counterproductive, making the establishment of a secure, prosperous and democratic Israel harder to achieve. Indeed, because such an Israel can exist only if it enjoys the friendship of its neighbors, including Palestine, we believe that it is essential for Israelis to clearly articulate their support for a secure, prosperous and democratic Palestine. It's called "enlightened-self interest" and we think it's the only stance that makes sense. See also: Our Thinking.

What is "enlightened self-interest"?   (QUESTIONS | PAGE TOP)

Enlightened self-interest is the notion of helping "them" in order to help "ourselves". It springs from the realization that what's good for "us" is unavoidably connected to what's good for "them". Thus, the pursuit of "our" good at the expense of "their" good turns out to be counterproductive (as well as perhaps immoral). On the other hand, it turns out that helping "them" achieve "their" good turns out to be an excellent way helping "us" achieve "our" own good. In other words, pursuing a "win-lose" strategy typically results in a "lose-lose" outcome, while pursuit of a "win-win" strategy typically achieves its goals.

Does "enlightened self-interest" really work?   (QUESTIONS | PAGE TOP)

Yes. One of the most famous modern examples of successful enlightened self-interest, was the Marshall Plan after World War II. In this case the victorious United States actively helped build a prosperous Germany as a way of preventing the emergence of conditions that might spark a third world war. This win-win strategy was the exact opposite of the win-lose strategy pursued by the victors of World War I. In that case, the Treaty of Versailles punished losing Germany by demanding war reparations and helped create the conditions that led to Hitler's rise and the outbreak of World War II.

Why should Israelis and their supporters care about a secure and prosperous Palestine?   (QUESTIONS | PAGE TOP)

Because without a secure and prosperous Palestine, there cannot be a secure and prosperous Israel. Thus, Israel's "enlightened self-interest" dictates that Israel do all in its power to help create a Palestine in which Palestinians can have a good life and a better future. Indeed, for the good of Israel, Israel's supporters should be first in line demanding the immediate creation of a secure, viable and sovereign Palestine in the currently Occupied Territories.

Why should Palestinians and their supporters care about a secure and prosperous Israel?   (QUESTIONS | PAGE TOP)

Because without a secure and prosperous Israel, there cannot be a secure and prosperous Palestine. Thus, Palestine's "enlightened self-interest" dictates that Palestinians do all in their power to help create an Israel in which Israelis can have a good life and a better future. Indeed, for the good of Palestine, Palestine's supporters should be first in line demanding the immediate acknowledgment of a secure, viable and sovereign Israel within its pre-1967 borders.

But don't the Palestinians just want to drive the Israelis into the sea?  
(QUESTIONS | PAGE TOP)

Although most Arabs in general and Palestinians in particular initially rejected the United Nations' partition of Palestine, the vast bulk of the population today acknowledges Israel's existence and supports an evenhanded two-state solution. Indeed, the recent Saudi Peace Plan offered full recognition of Israel and normalization of relations between Israel and her neighbors in return for the creation of a independent Palestine with the 1967 borders. While this plan may not have been perfect, it was sincere. Unfortunately, the current cycle of revenge is fueling Palestinian and Arab hatred and making this moderate position harder to espouse in public.

But don't the Israelis just want to drive the Palestinians into the desert?   (QUESTIONS | PAGE TOP)

Although some Israelis and Jews do want to create a Greater Israel on all of historic Palestine, the vast bulk of the population acknowledges the legitimacy of the Palestinian desire for national self-determination and supports the creation of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza. Indeed a recent poll by the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz showed a majority of Israelis in favor of evacuating Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza and the establishment of a Palestinian state. Unfortunately, the current cycle of revenge is fueling Israeli and Jewish hatred and making this moderate position harder to espouse in public.

What is a "symmetrically-affirmative" stance?   (QUESTIONS | PAGE TOP)

A "symmetrically-affirmative" stance is one that equally affirms the fundamental humanity of both sides of a conflict as well as the equal legitimacy of both sides' core aspirations. It does not mean affirming any or all of the means that either side may have previously used, or currently may be using, in pursuit of its goals. In the case of the Palestine / Israel conflict, Support Sanity believes that a symmetrically-affirmative, win-win stance is the only one that makes sense as well as the only one that provides the basis for a long-term solution.

It is in Israel's "enlightened self-interest" to "support Palestine".
It is in Palestine's "enlightened self-interest" to "support Israel".

(Oh yes, it's moral too.)

See also: Our Thinking.