Fundamentalism isn't really terribly popular with American Jews. Even with the dramatic increase in Jewish republicans the last thirty years (guess they never heard about any twentieth century right-wing movements), most Jews in the United States remain rather secular and not terribly entrenched in issues of their religion being better than anyone else's.
I guess the most obvious display of Jewish fundamentalism is the promotion of Zionism in the Middle East as evidenced by the ever-expanding state of Israel. Although you'll see and hear a lot of posturing about Israel in the United States, Jewish fundamentalism is not as obviously dangerous to the American citizenry as born-again christian fundamentalism. Actually, right after the Taliban, you are unlikely to find any more dangerous group of religious fanatics than American christian fundamentalists. The focus of Jewish fundamentalism is really outside of the United States.
As a leftist, I find the issues of the Israel/Palestine conflict to be very difficult. I do not oppose a homeland for Jews, but I am an anti-theocrat, so a Zionist government is not really acceptable to me (especially at the expense of an entire population of people whose homeland has been given to a bunch of Europeans).
(Come to think of it: is there a big difference between what Europeans did in North America in the 17th century and what Europeans are doing in the Middle East today? Maybe not!)
I do believe it is impossible for a Zionist government in the Middle East to make room for non-Jews, and this is intrinsically bad.
I think all stripes of government based on religion are dangerous. Sadly, fundamentalists will often say that if you are anti-Zionist, you are anti-Jewish. This is patently absurd. Saying anti-Zionist is the same as anti-Jewish is like saying you support abortion because you do not object to it. This is illogical, of course; but nobody ever accused fundamentalists or Zionists of being logical. After all, these are people who think the beautiful writings and teachings of the bible and Koran are actual history and law!
The current leader of American christian fundamentalism is also the current American president. I would not like to hear what he thinks about Jews. I think it might anger me. I suspect he is not a fan; but, I am willing to be wrong about this. Fundamentalist Jews probably think very highly of the current American president (most fundamentalists do).
Yesterday the current American president told Israel they could keep all the Arab land they have acquired through military force since 1967.
"In light of new realities on the ground, including already existing major Israeli population centers, it is unrealistic to expect that the outcome of final status negotiations will be a full and complete return to the armistice lines of 1949." Ariel Sharon was standing right next to him. So, it is now official American policy that Israel can keep as much land as they like. Do you think they will stop here? Do fundamentalists ever stop when they have been given what they want? No! They push harder and further with more vengeance and hate than ever before.
I am certain that Mr. Sharon will encourage American Jews to re-elect such a great pro-Zionist president. Sadly, a huge number of Jews will vote to re-elect the current American president, irrespective of the anti-Jewish positions of American christian fundamentalists. If the current fundamentalist movement in America continues as it has, they will attempt to make Christianity the official religion of the United States? I really think they will try this. If they succeed, where will that leave all the republican Jews?
Enjoy your "tax cuts" while you can.
Here's a little Yahoo! about the president's remarks.
The rantings of an unrepentant old leftist, and his friends.
