How can I have the effrontery to call myself a Jew? I’ve never laid down my life for my country. I’ve never fought enemies on all side of me for the sake of my country. I’ve never fought against all odds on all sides of me, never had an implacable enemy who wanted me dead. I’ve never even been to Israel.
I’m angry because of all the declarations, treaties, and so-called friends who deserted Israel when her enemies struck her on all sides on the day of the Declaration of Independence on 5 May 1948. The Balfour Declaration turned out to be a piece of paper with a bunch of writing on it.
When the Arab nations surrounding Israel attacked on that day, did the British come forth with help? Oh, no, we couldn’t possibly offend the Arabs. We need their oil.
A small, poorly armed army of mostly volunteers held off and beat back their sworn enemies, and even their friendly Arab neighbors stood by and watched. These very same Arab neighbors who were the recipients of their Jewish neighbors’ kindness in sharing their farming expertise; showed them how to build sturdier homes; shared sanitation, irrigation expertise, and generally improved the lives of their Arab neighbors. And, presumably, expected to live in peace with them. But when push comes to shove……
When Hitler came into power, did anyone think “Oh, my goodness! We have to help the Jews get out of Germany.” No, in fact most countries refused Jewish immigration. The British even blockaded Palestinian ports to prevent Jews fleeing deadly persecution. Eventually, even the United States, my beloved United States, limited Jewish immigration. Most countries turned a blind eye to what was happening in Germany, Poland, France, Belgium…everywhere the Germans invaded. The full horror wasn’t known until Allied troops discovered the concentration camps, and the graves, and the furnaces. Even now people are denying that the holocaust ever happened. “Jewish propaganda.”
Time and time again the Arabs attacked the new Israeli nation, and time and time again they were thrown back. Sneak attacks. Full frontal attacks. Coordinated attacks. Attacks on Yom Kippur when Jews are in the synagogues, totally unprepared for war. Yet, the Israelis again defeated their enemies, and even drove them back beyond their borders.
There’s so much more to say, but that’s history. Let’s go on….to the present day.
Here’s an item on the Internet from Council for the National Interest I quote the last paragraph of a totally one-sided blog: Why is the United States continuing to insist on sidelining Arafat and embracing Sharon who has rejected American peace initiatives and undermined the war on terrorism? Whoever wrote that doesn’t read the paper or watch the television news. How many times has Sharon acceded to Arafat’s demands, and Arafat turned around and said “It’s not enough.”? When did Arafat ever rein in Hamas, his organ of terrorism? Take a look at a map of the Middle East and see if you can figure out why Sharon won’t give up the West Bank. If you can’t see it, I’ll be glad to point it out. The Gaza, OK. That was traditionally Philistia (Palestine according to the Roman translation). Let the Arabs have it. The West Bank, never! If the other Arabs are so concerned about their poor, mistreated brothers in the Gaza, why don’t they send in medicine, food, clothing, and put up decent housing? And get rid of the terrorist cells in the Gaza. Israel won’t prevent that. But, no, that would spoil their propaganda about Israeli mistreatment of the “prisoners” in the Gaza. Oh, yes, and the Saudis forbid the presence of a Jew in their country. Why is it when a busload of Israeli innocents and children is bombed, the world goes tsk, tsk. But when Israel retaliates and bombs a known terrorist area, the whole world gets up in arms about the horrible, vindictive, unreasonable Israelis? Tell me, now, WHO is obstructing the peace prospects????? Peace, peace. When? In my lifetime? Unlikely. I mourn.