Must Read: Israeli Professor On The End Of Israel As We Knew It
Thank God I have my memories of the Israel that once was. Read this by Noah Efron, chair of the science, technology & society program at Bar-Ilan University and a member of Tel Aviv's city council. He describes a country out of touch with its roots and certainly out of touch with the direction the rest of the world is moving in.
'No one holds a heroic view of Israel anymore, not abroad and not here. Today's kibbutzim are not a source of national pride. In the past decade, dozens of them have 'privatized,' dividing up what was common property (it took a Supreme Court ruling to stop kibbutzim from selling to developers valuable government-owned lands that had been lent to them for agriculture).
"Israel's social gap is now considered among the greatest in the developed world....Israelis are unwelcome in African capitals. They are mostly unwelcome anywhere. And most important of all, Israel's military excellence has been tested in a 20-year misadventure occupying southern Lebanon, and in laboriously maintaining the peace in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The disastrous last war in Lebanon, and the wrenching recent war in Gaza, won support by most Israelis, and censure by some, but together they have left little doubt that the country's army is not heroic in the sense that it once was.
"For all these reasons, to be a secular Israeli in 2009 is a demoralizing and demoralized affair. We are tired: tired of the Palestinians, tired of the bombs, tired of U.N. and EU condemnations, tired of having so much of our daily wages taxed to buy guns and missiles, tired of the army reserves, tired of being hated, tired of going to bed and waking up to reports of kids -- Jewish kids, Palestinian kids -- watching their parents die or dying in their parents' arms. We are tired of our lives and tired of ourselves."
I hope this transformation is not permanent because, if it is, Israel isn't. That is why Barack Obama is Israel's best friend in the world. Only he can lead the good Israelis to end the occupation and domination by 13th century fanatics. Otherwise, the religious and nationalist right will utterly destroy everything that was accomplished by the secular and humane Jews who built Israel --and by their enablers here.
h/t GDRiver
Albert Einstein, April 17, 1938:
"I should much rather see reasonable agreement with the Arabs on the basis of living together in peace than the creation of a Jewish state. Apart from practical consideration, my awareness of the essential nature of Judaism resists the idea of a Jewish state with borders, an army, and a measure of temporal power no matter how modest. I am afraid of the inner damage Judaism will sustain -- especially from the development of a narrow nationalism within our own ranks, against which we have already had to fight strongly, even without a Jewish state."
Letter to the New York Times, December 4, 1948, from Albert Einstein and other prominent Jews, denouncing Menachem Begin, a future prime minister of Israel who is highly regarded by the current ruling Likud Party, as a fascist. After the death of the first president of Israel in 1952, the Israeli government offered the post of president to Einstein. He declined the offer.
TO THE EDITORS OF THE NEW YORK TIMES:
Among the most disturbing political phenomena of our times is the emergence in the newly created state of Israel of the ""Freedom Party"" (Tnuat Haherut), a political party closely akin in its organization, methods, political philosophy and social appeal to the Nazi and Fascist parties. It was formed out of the membership and following of the former Irgun Zvai Leumi, a terrorist, right-wing, chauvinist organization in Palestine.
The current visit of Menachem Begin, leader of this party, to the United States is obviously calculated to give the impression of American support for his party in the coming Israeli elections, and to cement political ties with conservative Zionist elements in the United States. Several Americans of national repute have lent their names to welcome his visit. It is inconceivable that those who oppose fascism throughout the world, if correctly informed as to Mr. Begin’s political record and perspectives, could add their names and support to the movement he represents.
Before irreparable damage is done by way of financial contributions, public manifestations in Begin’’s behalf, and the creation in Palestine of the impression that a large segment of America supports Fascist elements in Israel, the American public must be informed as to the record and objectives of Mr. Begin and his movement.
The public avowals of Begin’’s party are no guide whatever to its actual character. Today they speak of freedom, democracy and anti-imperialism, whereas until recently they openly preached the doctrine of the Fascist state. It is in its actions that the terrorist party betrays its real character; from its past actions we can judge what it may be expected to do in the future.
July 21, 2009 10:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
A farsighted analysis by Council member Efron, with some key aspects relevant to Americans neatly highlighted in MJ's summary. A central question remains: now that at least some Israelis are squarely acknowledging and confronting the barbaric fanaticism within, will mainstream Jewish leaders in America finally pull their heads out their Warsaw Ghetto Phobia sandpits, stand up, and speak out candidly for what is right, for America, for Israel, for Jews?
July 21, 2009 10:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
for what shall it profit a people, if they shall gain a country, and lose their soul?
July 21, 2009 10:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
I just don't buy it. I don't see any real threats to Israel at all. No nations are supporting the calls for boycotts and sanctions, while all continue to support the blockade of the Palestinians. I think the anti-semites are just desperately trying to convince themselves they have some sort of popular support, despite the overwhelming evidence that they don't. They're a lunatic fringe of right-wing bigots, and everyone knows it. Israel has some problems to deal with, as all nations do, but to suggest that the nation is seriously threatened is just fantasy. Just another in a long series of attempts to blame the Israelis for the war the Palestinians began. But nobody's buying it. On the contrary.
July 21, 2009 1:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
> nobody's buying it
You're right - only the UK, France and Russia in addition to the US and the EU. Other than those few billion - not many others. But the UNSC will come round in due course. Have no fear.
The British Foreign Office, today:
'The UK has long made our opposition to settlements clear and we press the Israel government at the highest level continually on the importance of fulfilling its roadmap commitments: Israel should freeze all settlement activity, including the natural growth of existing settlements, and dismantle all outposts erected since March 2001'
July 21, 2009 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
"The end of Israel as we know it"
From your mouth to god's ears. If only.
July 21, 2009 4:31 PM | Reply | Permalink