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What Should I Think About Israel?May 2004From the Desk of Rabbi CohonIn most of the world these are dark times to be a supporter of Israel. A recent poll showed that 54% of Europeans believe that Israel is the main threat to world peace, exceeding Iran and North Korea. At the International Court of “Justice” in The Hague a show trial against the construction of Israel’s Border Fence, which for practical reasons Israel has chosen not to contest, has much of the world united against it. Israel is regularly attacked by the mainstream media in Asia, Africa, South America and Europe—as well as by many news outlets in North America. It is no longer simply Israeli policy that is the subject of criticism, but the very existence of the Jewish state in the Middle East. At a time when America and Europe, like Israel, are embroiled in a brutal battle against Islamic terrorists one would expect that support for Israel, a fellow democracy engaged in a very similar war against a common enemy, would be natural. Obviously, it’s not. Somehow, it remains hard to be a Jew—particularly a Jew who supports Israel. Nu, some things simply don’t change… Why is this? Why can’t Israel be popular with the rest of the world? Why must we hear so much criticism of the Jewish state, even from respected media outlets like NPR, the New York Times, and ABC News? A few straightforward facts are helpful in understanding all of this. First, we are all familiar with the protracted and immensely painful struggle between Israel and the Palestinians. There are no easy answers now, nor have there ever been any. Israel cannot simply “withdraw from areas the Palestinians claim”, because the majority of the Palestinian public, and most of its leadership, essentially wishes to claim all of Israel. Nor can Israel simply withdraw from Palestinian areas without creating some kind of barrier that prevents constant violent attacks. We have had no end of proof that such a withdrawal actually empowers those terrorists who most seek the destruction of everything Western—and, of course, Jewish—in the Middle East. We should all be well aware of the fundamental intransigence that has manifested itself in Palestinian leadership at critical moments, and has denied the Palestinians a state and Israelis peace and security. Every generous offer—such as Ehud Barak’s nearly unbelievable attempt to hand the Palestinians a state on a silver platter at Camp David four years ago—has been, ultimately, rebuffed in favor of the continued embrace of a culture of acute, unending, and in every sense suicidal violence. These are difficult problems that Israel has struggled with since the Six-Day War in 1967, and which it is likely that Israel will continue to wrestle. But that doesn’t truly explain the fundamental -- and fundamentalist -- hostility to Israel in the world today. Why is Israel so disliked? There are a number of reasons, most having to do with Israel’s essential difference from every neighboring country. Being different is never easy. In a region in which Israel differs from its neighbors in religion, government, economics, media and, especially, freedom, it will never be completely accepted. And those differences cut to the heart of just what Israel truly is. A few facts highlighting Israel’s difference, numbered for easier digestion: 1. Israel is the only country in the world in which an Arab woman -- Muslim or Christian -- can vote in a democratic election. 2. Israel is the only country in the Middle East that has a truly free press. In fact, it is one of the few countries in the entire continent of Asia that has a free press. And boy, is its press free to criticize the government… 3. Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, the sole nation in which a vote actually matters. Every single Arab country, with the exception of U.S.-occupied Iraq, is ruled by a king, sheikh, dictator, or President-For-Life -- or a president by corrupt election or military coup. 4. Israel is the only real ally the United States has in the “War against Terror” in the entire Middle East, with the arguable exception of Turkey. 5. The Israeli standard of living is many times that of each one of its neighbors, and its developed economy, high standards of education and technology, and entrepreneurial spirit are not reflected anywhere else in the region. 6. Israeli women are by far the most liberated in the Middle East -- and on the continent of Asia. This sits rather badly with patriarchal, sexist Islamic nations. 7. Israel accepts Jewish refugees from everywhere in the world freely, immediately, and, within its means, supportively. No Arab nation can make that claim. No European nation can make that claim. The U.S. government can’t make that claim. 8. And, of course, Israel is a Jewish state, the only one on earth. Non-Jews sometimes miss the importance of that fact. There are many Islamic countries, and many self-identified Christian ones. Some simply don’t believe that Jews should have a state. This is a very simple objection to explain: it is called antisemitism. When we review some of the critical differences that allow others to hate us, we should frankly feel a sense of pride, not of despondency. For these distinctions are things we should celebrate and embrace, not apologize for. In this season of Israel’s independence, may we all come to understand that our uniqueness is actually our strength. Those who dislike Israel do so primarily because of their own insecurities and failures, rather than Israel’s. May this finally be a year of peace for Israel -- but may we continue to celebrate its goodness and its character. L'shalom v'rei'ut, in peace and friendship, Rabbi Samuel M. Cohon |
