Differences of Jewish Human Rights Groups and Jewish Peace Activist Groups
As seen in the image above, "Jewish peace activist groups" and "Jewish human rights groups" are in larger font, indicating how both seperately gained a lot of support in their approach in handling the U.S. and Soviet Union tension. However "common ground" is in smaller font because it was less common for both groups to agree on the best measure to solve the conflicts between the U.S. and Soviet Union. In addition, note how "oppressed" and "politics" are in red font. This red font alludes to the communist control and how many groups were treated unfairly by the Soviet regime.
The main question at stake that both groups differed on: How much time and energy should the U.S. spend in addressing the concerns of an oppressed group in comparison to the safety of everyone?
Since the Jewish peace activist groups focused more on building bridges between the two countries, they focused more on the general safety of everyone. However, the human rights groups had a more conservative approach. They focused more on the political side of this issue, and how they could combat Soviet authoritative policies.
Jewish Peace Activist Groups
- They took a more liberal approach and focused on building a relationship with the Soviet Union and U.S. people.
- Specifically, they emphasized the importance of forming personal connections among Soviet Union and U.S. people.
- Didn't focus on the Soviet Union's different political approaches or how these policies really affected the people.
- Main Seattle groups: Seattle Tashkent Sister City group and World Without War Council.
Jewish Human Rights Groups
- They took a more conservative approach and focused on the political side of this issue.
- These groups looked at how Soviet policy impacted the Soviet Jews. Specifically, how glasnost policy was not fairly enacted in the country.
- They criticized and protested against the authoritative nature of the Soviet Union.
- They didn't necessarily mind that peace activist groups focused on building a relationship among both countries but they didn't agree on how these groups chose to ignore the injustices of oppressed groups in the Soviet Union.
- Main Seattle groups: Action for Soviet Jewry, the Jewish Federation, and Women’s American Organization for Rehabilitation Training.