Israel: Perception and Reality
If the truth be known, when it comes to the State of Israel, I am a bit biased. Moreover, some of the political stands that I hold regarding the right of the Jewish state to exist, may, to some minds, be concluded as being extreme. That being said, please keep my conclusions and views pertaining to this post in its proper perspective.
For the past couple of weeks now, we know that Israelis have begun to make their presence known on the Gaza strip. You might hear that many Palestinians are experiencing hardships, being without water, gas, and other necessities of life. Also, one hears that the Jews blew up a bridge there, and today, there is the conclusion that Israel refuses a truce with the Palestinians.
Of course, for many, especially in the European and Arab world, and maybe even some here within the American community, may conclude that the Israelis are trouble-makers, not wanting peace, and are in defiance of the two-state solution.
But what do we not hear coming out of Israel? So you know, I read many of the Israeli newspapers, magazines, and keep myself up to date on the news in the middle-east, from both sides, so you understand where I am coming from, at least today. What many do not know, is that Palestinians have been launching kassem rockets into Israel, frequently, sometimes causing injury and harm as well. These rocket attacks have been quite frequent, especially since Hamas has risen to power within the Palestinian government. Moreover, one also knows that an Israeli soldier, 19 years old, was captured, and is still being held, for no apparent reason. We hear this conclusion that Israel refuses a truce, but are we told what the terms of such an agreement would be for both sides? Is Hamas demanding that prisoners be let free, that land be negotiated, or that other conditions take place? Hamas has made it clear that they want all of Israel, and as far as they are concerned, they would be happy if any Jewish state was eliminated, this much has been made public.
As I write this post, I wonder how our Governor, Arnold Schwartzenegger, would respond if certain military officials in Tijuana, Mexico were launching rockets here inside the borders of California? We have seen the displeasure with these weapons being sent from North Korea on the 4th of July, from the United States. Some say, try diplomacy first. But truthfully, how long, and at what price can diplomacy be tried and experienced? At some point is the diplomatic approach seemingly unworkable, and does some other alternative need to be explored?
We are going to Israel next month, no matter what. In fact, it feels as if my obligation to be there now is even more imminent than ever before. As Jews, we have had a very rough history, being kicked out of just about every country where we have lived, we now have a place, we can call our home, and we are surrounded by people who hate us daily. It must be a heartbreaking experience. It makes me wonder, and ask, why God could not have given Moses the Torah in Cuba where we would be isolated, and not have to worry about being surrounded by people who loathe us, and many who want to see us wiped off the state of the map.
As you can see, this is a very emotional issue for me. Since this blog is mine, and it gives me a chance to express myself, in whatever way I find fit, writing about this today has made me a bit more peaceful inside. May it be God's will that this peace can be transmitted, from the outside, to all those in Israel too, and that no more lives are lost, injured or harmed...
Thank you for your minds.
For the past couple of weeks now, we know that Israelis have begun to make their presence known on the Gaza strip. You might hear that many Palestinians are experiencing hardships, being without water, gas, and other necessities of life. Also, one hears that the Jews blew up a bridge there, and today, there is the conclusion that Israel refuses a truce with the Palestinians.
Of course, for many, especially in the European and Arab world, and maybe even some here within the American community, may conclude that the Israelis are trouble-makers, not wanting peace, and are in defiance of the two-state solution.
But what do we not hear coming out of Israel? So you know, I read many of the Israeli newspapers, magazines, and keep myself up to date on the news in the middle-east, from both sides, so you understand where I am coming from, at least today. What many do not know, is that Palestinians have been launching kassem rockets into Israel, frequently, sometimes causing injury and harm as well. These rocket attacks have been quite frequent, especially since Hamas has risen to power within the Palestinian government. Moreover, one also knows that an Israeli soldier, 19 years old, was captured, and is still being held, for no apparent reason. We hear this conclusion that Israel refuses a truce, but are we told what the terms of such an agreement would be for both sides? Is Hamas demanding that prisoners be let free, that land be negotiated, or that other conditions take place? Hamas has made it clear that they want all of Israel, and as far as they are concerned, they would be happy if any Jewish state was eliminated, this much has been made public.
As I write this post, I wonder how our Governor, Arnold Schwartzenegger, would respond if certain military officials in Tijuana, Mexico were launching rockets here inside the borders of California? We have seen the displeasure with these weapons being sent from North Korea on the 4th of July, from the United States. Some say, try diplomacy first. But truthfully, how long, and at what price can diplomacy be tried and experienced? At some point is the diplomatic approach seemingly unworkable, and does some other alternative need to be explored?
We are going to Israel next month, no matter what. In fact, it feels as if my obligation to be there now is even more imminent than ever before. As Jews, we have had a very rough history, being kicked out of just about every country where we have lived, we now have a place, we can call our home, and we are surrounded by people who hate us daily. It must be a heartbreaking experience. It makes me wonder, and ask, why God could not have given Moses the Torah in Cuba where we would be isolated, and not have to worry about being surrounded by people who loathe us, and many who want to see us wiped off the state of the map.
As you can see, this is a very emotional issue for me. Since this blog is mine, and it gives me a chance to express myself, in whatever way I find fit, writing about this today has made me a bit more peaceful inside. May it be God's will that this peace can be transmitted, from the outside, to all those in Israel too, and that no more lives are lost, injured or harmed...
Thank you for your minds.
6 Comments:
My desire before God is a just peace for the Palestinians and the Jews, that these two orphans of history may live as the family they were intended to be.
Sidenote: You are set to "no-reply", so you can go to my profile, and select e mail. I once was a pretty serious pianist, so I would love to have a copy of that photo you mentioned. It certainly opens up new technical possibilities!
It makes me wonder, and ask, why God could not have given Moses the Torah in Cuba where we would be isolated, and not have to worry about being surrounded by people who loathe us
This is a very funny line within your serious post. The answer? God knew that eventually all those Muslims taken prisoners in Afgghanistan were going to end up at Guantanamo...!! :-D
"please keep my conclusions and views pertaining to this post in its proper perspective." well said.
I just added a disclaimer to my latest post last night.
The State of Israel is in a pickle that's for sure.
If i were Jewish i'd be very disturbed by it.
So you are getting ready to go there?
Wow, That is exciting. & a little scary?
I have a Jewish friend who conducts a discussion group with both Jews and Palestinians in the USA here in Houston. She gets them to talk about these issues in a place that is safe. I really admire her work.
She is learning Arabic so that when she goes to Israel she can develop a musical (or maybe it is a play) written by both Palestinian and Israeli children.
I think the Jews have been dispersed around the world to give their culture and values to the rest of us as much as we can absorb them. I believe the same is true of the Tibetans.
In my opinion, humanity is working ever so slowly towards the realization that we are one being, and that it does not matter how we look, by what name we call God, what we eat, what we wear, or where we grew up. I believe that tribalism, in the form of hatred of "the stranger", will disappear over time, and that many of us are helping that happen.
The situation at the moment, Barbara, is very precarious.
I assume that every "bite" that is reported in the media is long on drama and short on background. What I do know is that since 1967 every mideast peace agreement has been unsuccesful. Where does the fault lie? I am not sure, but certainly if one party refuses to recognize the right of the other to exist then any agreement made, is made falsely.
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