Post by Yona Maro on Nov 18, 2005 2:58:49 GMT -5
What in the World?
by David Cohen
Nov 13, '05 / 11 Cheshvan 5766
Those of us who are Jews recall when bearded Orthodox Jews came to our homes in the 1930s and '40s soliciting funds.
Our parents gave (or did not) according to their belief in a Jewish homeland. Plenty gave. But, for sound reason, few chose to give up living in America or England for the incredibly hard life reclaiming the land in Palestine. That most did not do so was no slight to the mission of helping create a Jewish state. Rather, it was that they had put down roots, had businesses to tend to or jobs to perform, homes to pay for, children to rear and so on.
In turn, we know that those who immigrated to Palestine because of pogroms of Russia, the horrors of the European Holocaust, expulsion from Arab countries, or their inability to go elsewhere, lived through the struggle to create Israel and bore hardships that we could only imagine. Disease, near or actual poverty, back-breaking work, fighting with Arabs at the local level and multiple wars. To put it succinctly, just as it is said that the Dutch reclaimed Holland from the sea, the Jewish people created the richness of what is today's Israel from a barren, unfriendly and, at times, hostile environment through efforts that local Arabs had never even attempted (that is to say, they helped but did not initiate, contributed but did not lead, having come for work with Jews). Even so distinguished a writer-commentator as Samuel Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) said so almost 150 years ago.
What in the world does this mean today? It has left far too many Israelis arrogant toward their Diaspora brethren, who did not undergo what they or their parents or grandparents went through. It is clear that such arrogance must be tempered with humility if the call to others to come and join is to have real meaning.
Why in the world do so many Israelis continue to be unwelcoming toward fellow Jews from other lands? That one person's life is easier or harder may have some bearing on what makes that individual the distinct person whom he or she is. But, as I see it, a Jew is a Jew, whether religious, secular or in-between. Israelis should understand that the overwhelming majority of people who think they will not be warmly greeted, or who are not properly made to feel at home, will not choose to make the trip or to make aliyah. For many, perceptions are reality, regardless of the facts on the ground. The warmer the reception, the greater the possibility that outsiders will seriously consider making the trip or move.
What in the world is it about Israeli law and politics? No written constitution in this day and age? No direct election of representatives? No checks and balances between the executive, legislature and judicial branches of government? Or Ariel Sharon's obvious power play despite the will of the people of his party or the nation as a whole. Does no one grasp that these shortcomings, in and of themselves, can and do cause Diaspora Jews to see chaos in democracy as the Israelis practice it, that such policies mean additional risks to one's security, comfort level or financial stability, perhaps to the point of being unacceptable?
What in the world is the almost intolerable failure of Israel to be represented to the Western media by spokespersons who can sell the Israeli story? Think of Ari Fleischer, President George Bush's former press secretary, a truly gifted spokesman, always balanced, fair, objective, credible, interesting. Now think about the often gruff, short-tempered, non-native-English-speaking people who were and are his counterparts in Israel. It is long overdue that a native American- or English-speaking individual take on that job toward the Western media, someone who truly understands the nuances of language and is able to present history and facts as part of a comprehensive answer. Surely, there are people in Israel fully capable of doing so; yet, we continue to see nothing like that, heavily contributing to the so-called Palestinians' winning of the media war years ago.
Why in the world do Diaspora Jewish organizations almost always keep silent in the face of poor or questionable Israeli policy or political decisions? Silence is not golden in these instances; instead, it puts a false face on the situation. It is long overdue that Israel really listen to those in the Diaspora, to hear and consider what we have to say. Listening does not mean automatic acceptance, it means consideration for the opinions of others. If Israel is a state for all Jews, then reality must be changed to mean just that. Dismissal of the perceptions, ideas, suggestions and recommendations of others before decisions are made, in effect, means that they have no say, no opportunity for input. As such, they do not count. If that is the case, Israel is not a state for all Jews, but a state reserved only for Israelis. Why should any Jew make aliyah?
Why in the world can't Israel grasp the fact that many of the world's Jews have little or no relationship to Israel, and see no advantage in visiting her, let alone making aliyah? Several generations of Diaspora Jews include significant numbers who were reared or educated without benefit of any Jewish connection, who see no advantage in the reunification of the Jewish people in Eretz Yisrael, who have assimilated to the point of not thinking of matters Jewish in any context at any time. Oh, they say they are Jews, but they do nothing to show or acknowledge their Jewishness. Israel, Diaspora Jewish organizations and fellow Jews have to come together to address this issue, to make the assimilated feel welcome and part of the worldwide Jewish family.
Why in the world has Israel discarded the possibility of transferring her Arabs to other lands? David Ben-Gurion, as I recall, came to regret the decision to permit them to remain. Now, think of the hundreds of thousands of Jews expelled from virtually all Arab countries, the world having been silent throughout their ordeal. No compensation, no right of return - ever. What's wrong with compensating Arabs and making them leave the world's only Jewish state, to be reunited with their brethren elsewhere?
Regardless if done or not, Arab-Muslims and the Muslim world will continue to hate Jews and seek the destruction of the Jewish state; nothing is ever going to change that reality. Fairness is quite another matter and is called for: what's good for the goose is good for the gander. The Jews can never return to Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and so on; why should the Arabs in Israel be permitted to continue to live there? Jews can't even enter some Arab countries for any reason. So, it's time for the Arabs to go.
What in the world is this nonsense of Israel being a "banana republic" to the US? Israel must stand up and tell Bush and Condoleezza Rice, "We're mad as hell and won't take it anymore." The USA is not a true ally of Israel. An ally does not inject itself into the political life of another sovereign state to the degree to which the US has forced Israel to yield to pressure. The US has clearly lied to the entire world when she declares she will not appease terrorist regimes while allowing the PLO/Palestinian Authority to do what it pleases without any accountability or penalty.
A sworn enemy of the US and Israel, the PLO/PA sided with Iraq in two wars, openly incites its people through anti-American and anti-Israeli rhetoric, defends the right of its clerics to call for killing Americans and Jews, kills Americans and Israelis without penalty of any kind, or even criticism by the US administration or State Department. Mahmoud Abbas - a democratic president? No, simply a terrorist killer in costume, 40 years of murder under his belt. If he's reformed, I'm a 21-year-old, neither possible at this point in time, despite our wishing it to be so. Reality is seeing the world as it is, not as you want it to be.
Little of what I have written here will be popular, but it is time to clear the air and face facts. If we Jews are to have a state of our own, that state must act in the best interests of all Jews, wherever they may live. If the people of Israel honestly want others to build something together that will last for generations to come, they have to show that they openly, honestly and warmly welcome all Jews, by being grateful that others come and by uniting as one people, regardless of past differences.
I consider myself to be an American-born Jew. That said, I love both countries deeply for different reasons. I do not have dual allegiance: I am an American by birth and nationality; I am a Jew by heritage. I expect America to fulfill its responsibilities to me by serving our common interests in the best way possible at all times, to honor our common values and principles at all times. I am upset and gravely disappointed when she does not, as is now the case in her demands of Israel and her appeasement of the PLO/PA. I am unhappy that she has declared a War on Terror, when the reality is that it is a War on Islamic Extremism, and political correctness runs roughshod over reality.
Similarly, I expect Israel to act in the best interests of all Jews, no matter where they live. I am upset and gravely disappointed when she does not, as is now the case in subjugating her best interests to American demands, and when she believes that appeasing the terrorist PLO/PA will bear fruit and peace will come. What in the world about the PLO/PA's core intention to destroy Israel do they not get?
Show us the real stuff you are made of or accept that most will not join you, because you fail to consider us, let alone represent us. Said another way, when life hands you a lemon, make lemonade and share it, don't complain that you only have a lemon.