A cogent and much-needed op-ed by Rabbi Shaul Marshall Praver of Congregation Adath Israel in Newtown, CT:
The Talmud says, "When good will exists amongst brethren, both can dwell together even on the razor thin edge of a sword, but when good will does not exist amongst them, even the full expanse of the earth lacks sufficient space to contain them."
Israel", "Jew" and "Zionism" are beautiful words. Yet repetitive racial slurs concerning these words make them sound ugly and pejorative.
Zionism means scorched desert wastelands transformed into magnificent gardens and green farm lands. Zionism means oppressed downtrodden Jews becoming uplifted and able to affirm their continuity from Biblical times. Zionism means Jews living proudly once again in their ancient homeland. Zionism means the collective creativity of Jews of every ethnicity coming together to build a free civilization.
Zionism means the opportunity to enact an ancient dream that will not die. Zionism means establishing a modern civilization that shares a messianic vision of making earth a little more like Heaven. Zionism means sharing Israeli's blessings with the world.
Zionism is not Racism. Jews come in every race and ethnicity. Zionism is not an apartheid State: While Jews are the Majority in Israel, Arabs vote and are represented in the Israeli government. Zionism is not Colonialism: Jews won the war of Independence against the British colonists and lay claim to only Israel.
Furthermore, Israel is no more a racist state for creating a haven for Jews then Saudi Arabia is a racist state for creating a haven for Arabs. Whosoever points an accusing finger toward Israel in this regard will find four fingers pointing back at them, because Israel is a democratic state where freedom of religion is enjoyed by a multitude of ethnic groups. Charges of racism are empty and inflammatory.
Jews are willing to share their land with the Palestinians. But peace also depends upon the willingness of Palestinians to share their land with the Jews. Please ask yourself a basic question: If Israel laid down her weapons and retired her army, navy and air force, how long do you think it would take for Israel to be conquered by Muslims? Days? Weeks? Or Months?
Now, ask yourself the question in reverse. If all of Israel's neighbors laid down their weapons in the same manner, is it likely Israel would attempt to conquer Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia? I believe honest answers to these questions clarify the essence of the conflict. Namely that only one party seeks the destruction of the other.
Israel has suffered many horrible terrorist attacks in restaurants, hotels, city buses, trains, beaches, streets, universities, school buses, highways, banks, grocery stores, private homes, kibbutzim, parks, caves and fields. And if, God forbid, these same attacks occurred in the United States, our military would respond with decisive force and alacrity. Losing such a war on terrorism would be tantamount to losing one's country and losing one's very civilization; it is not an option. For half a century, Palestinians have professed an interest in acquiring a state of their own. Several attempts to grant Palestinians their wish were made, starting with the 1948 U.N. Partition Plan and concluding with the offer made by former Israeli Prime Minister Barak in 2001 at Taba, 98% of the requested land - including east Jerusalem, as per Yassir Arafat's request - was offered. But even that offer was answered with war. For many, it would seem that Barak called Arafat's bluff; revealing the peace process to be a process of war. Due to these harsh realities, the Sharon administration has pursued the building of a security fence and has just completed the disengagement of all the Jewish communities from Gaza. Yet a million Arabs live in Israel and enjoy democratic rights and freedoms. Is this fair? Why can't Jews live under the Palestinian flag just as Arabs live under the Israeli flag? The Sharon administration say it's a practical matter; Israel no longer wishes to deploy its Army to defend a small number of Gaza Jews. But wait! Stop! Think! Is there a need for a Palestinian Army to protect Israeli Arabs? No! Israeli Arabs need no protection; they are safe as citizens of Israel. Israelis simply want peace and would much prefer spending their time, tending their gardens, doing art, finding a cure for cancer, composing and performing world class music, and inventing more incredible bio-pharmaceuticals and computer technology. Real time internet applications, cellular telephones, color printing are just a few examples of the technology developed in Israel. There is so much brainpower and creative energy emanating from Israel's diverse ethnic population that benefits every person on the planet. Yet even at a time that Israel pursues territorial concessions for the sake of peace, many people lack the ability to say even a few kind words. I will say to them then, "Zionism is Beautiful!"
So much brainpower, but so little understanding of their enemy....
From yesterdays's excellent column by Caroline Glick:
"The pathetic aspect of the enduring insistence of the Left that a Palestinian state can only be established after Israel has ceded all of Gaza, Judea and Samaria and east Jerusalem to the PLO is that for the past 12 years its leaders – from Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin to Ehud Barak and now Sharon – have ignored the plain fact that the Palestinians themselves have expressed no interest in establishing Palestine. Their message, repeated ad nauseum, is that their goal is to liberate Palestine – that is, to destroy Israel.
The Left has taken to shooting every messenger who tells them this unpleasant truth, a truth which lays bare the lie at the foundation of their messianic faith in the god of peace in our time. Netanyahu, for these true believers, is the ultimate messenger and thus the ultimate enemy.
A recent entry in the brilliant Web site "The Belmont Club" recalls the experience of the current Left's forefathers in the Bolshevik movement who were victimized in Stalin's purges. Drawing from Piers Brendon's history of the 1930s, Dark Valley, the entry notes, "The most common scrawl left by doomed Old Bolsheviks at Lubyanka prison were the words 'What For?' But more poignant yet was the refusal of some Party members, exiled to Magadan, the worst camp of the Gulag, to smuggle news to their comrades of their fate. One said, 'At least now they still have hope in Communism. If I let them know the truth then they will have nothing.' Even in Magadan the Left's deepest need was to believe. Having abolished the God of their forefathers and finding themselves prostrate before the false god they fashioned for themselves, as [they stood] between extinction and despair they chose extinction."
I hope the Rabbi's column is disseminated in Isreal, where it is most needed.
"Zionism means jews living proudly once again in their ancient homeland"
but not if they are jews abroad who have become christians. they dont get in
"Jews come in every race and ethnicity"
but not if theyre christian
How many Muslims does it take to change a light bulb.
None! They sit in the dark forever and blame the Jews for it!
Why do Palestinians find it convenient to live on the West Bank? Because it's just a stone's throw from Israel!
Why are Palestinian boys luckier than American boys? Because every Palestinian boy will get to join a rock group.
I've got a feeling that these posts are going to wiped.
Sorry DW - couldn't help myself.
So Freddie-
Palestinians can have a state that reflects their ethnicity as well as their (dysfunctional) religion and social standards. This state will not allow Jewish members, or even welcome Christian residents (see article on attack on a Christian settlement, and how the numbers of Christians in the birthplace of our religion have fallen steadily).
But Jews can't have a Jewish state in their ancient homeland?
Give me a flaming break.
Those Kafkas, those Mahlers, those others, taking up space and insulting the ways of the Most Important People On Earth, what gives them a right to live?
Guns, if nothing else. Pass God and praise the ammunition.
Yes treehugger, im well aware of the attack on palestinian christians by muslims reported today, as i am re christian statistics in palestine
i have no objection to a jewish state whatsoever, but i do object strongly to one which denies jewish christians the right to citizenship, as is the case with the state of israel.
see, they say if a jew converts to another religion, they stop being jewish, and so cant become citizens (if they already are citizens, then as far as i know nothing can be done about it)
whereas if they become atheists, well thats absolutely fine of course, goes without saying
now the above article seems to be entirely in praise of zionism and who am i to criticize its many benefits?
this cannot surely mean that aspects of it cannot be criticized
"but jews cant have a jewish state in their ancient homeland?"
this is my point - some of them cant
"jewish christians?"
No such thing. You may want it to be so but no!Either you are a Christian or you are a Jew. No such thing as a Jewish Chistian. Those who believe JC is the moschiach can live in many places. Jews have one State and that is Israel. Jews have one homeland. There is enough strife with Muslims do we have to have another now with xtians?
If there are drastically fewer Christians in mythical "Palestine" it is because they have been driven out by their lovely neighbors (NOT Jews!)
First the Saturday people, then the Sunday people..
http://www.katinaproductions.com/rehov/previewhl.html
First the Saturday people, then the Sunday people ...
http://www.katinaproductions.com/rehov/previewhl.html
kemaste - converting to christianity does not change a persons genes
we know that "being jewish" has nothing to do with religion, otherwise there would not be so many atheists, practising homosexuals and non-kosher eaters among them.
but what you are in effect saying is that it has nothing to do with belonging to a people either
in which case just what is zionism about?
is it about not being christian? if it is then i would reject and oppose it in its entirety.
japanese who become christians do not stop being japanese after all - the truth is there are plenty of christian jews in the world. they are still jews - and proud of it. how tragic they are not acceptable in israel. there is still "no room at the inn".
as for "the sunday people", going by the film you posted, it looks as thought were getting kicked out well before the saturday people, if things continue as shown in the film
incidentally i object to the article at the top of this column - a hymn of praise to zionism will not stop the enemy
"kemaste - converting to christianity does not change a persons genes"
Israeli and Jewish do not mean the same thing
People that convert to Judiasm don't have Jewish genes. They still are Jews however if the conversion is a proper one. There are Jews of every nationality through birth or conversion.
Yes, Jews are a people -- a nation. That doesn't mean that everyone who converts out of the faith is still considered a Jew. That doesn't mean that a Jew who becomes a Buddhists is now considered a "Jewish Buddhist" any more than a Jew who becomes a Muslim in considered a "Jewish Muslim." It's complicated -- they will always be a Jew if born a Jew. How they choose to live their life (Christian/Jew/Mormon/)determines if they are a part of the nation of Israel or not.
Being Japanese and being Jewish are not the same. Being Mexican and Jewish are not the same. Though one can be a Japanese or Mexican Jew.
Being a Jew does not mean being a citizen of the State of Israel -- it means the nation of Israel -- the seed of Israel..
"In the morning the angel changed Jacob's name to Israel and he became the father of the nation that bears his name. His sons gave their names to the twelve tribes of Israel."
yes i appreciate what youre saying, but im afraid it only serves to reinforce my perception of the state of israel, which incidentally is overwhelmingly positive