The “Who Is A Jew?” question has long been with us, often quite acrimoniously. In Israel, the debate has immediate legal implications. In America, too, the question arises frequently, whether in Jewish population surveys, in responses to the offspring of intermarried Jews or even in discussions of Jewish identity.
At first blush, the question “Who is an Israeli?” seems much simpler. In our time, “Jew” is a category outside any legal framework. But “Israeli”? Israel is a nation-state, and being an Israeli must surely be entirely a matter of law: An Israeli is a citizen of the State of Israel.
I very much doubt there has been a single day since I was 11 years old when I did not, in one connection or another, think of Israel. I write just now from a kibbutz in the Valley of Jezreel, where I am staying during part of this, my 60th or so visit to the country. I have lived here, taught here, loved here. Israel is profoundly important to me. But I am not an Israeli, not at all. A Palestinian resident of Umm al-Fahm who knows nothing of Theodor Herzl or the Balfour Declaration, who has never read a word of Amos Oz or saluted the Israeli flag, is more Israeli than I.
More Israeli than I? Yes: I am zero Israeli; he or she, being a citizen of this country, is 100% Israeli. Israeliness is not a matter of temperament or feelings of identity, however profound they may be. It is a legal category from beginning to end.
When the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra came on its first post-independence tour of the United States, it performed in Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. My family was there, and I shall never forget the thrill of the concert’s opening, “Hatikvah” played not as a song of yearning, focus on the cellos, but as a song of pride, hear the brass. And all of us, of course, standing. Standing very tall. Nor does that peak experience stand alone; there have been dozens more. Yet for whatever the mix of reasons, I hold only one passport, and it is mine as an American, and though that hypothetical Palestinian I’ve mentioned may well never have sung “Hatikvah,” may find the song offensive, he is Israeli, not I.
Now comes the debate between the concept of Israel as “a Jewish state” and the concept of Israel as a “state of all its citizens.” That debate has become considerably sharper lately, as some on the left and some Palestinian NGOs and advocacy organizations have become more consistently outspoken on the matter, insisting that so long as Israel seeks to be a democracy, it must see itself as a state of all its citizens — 20% of whom are Palestinians — and act accordingly. (Acting “accordingly” means putting a definitive end to the many ways in which discrimination against Palestinians has prevailed in Israel through the years.) And the debate has become sharper still because of the priority that Prime Minister Netanyahu has placed on formal recognition and acceptance of Israel as “a Jewish state” by the Palestinians and the international community.
Some days ago, Aharon Barak, retired chief justice of Israel’s Supreme Court, called on Israel to be simultaneously a Jewish state and a state of all its citizens. But he gave no instructions on how to square that circle. And it may not be the right circle to square.
In America, we have been saying for quite a while that “our diversity is our strength.” That is what all of us are taught, that is what many of us believe, and that is what some of us directly experience. In Israel, there is no way around the fact that, for now, its diversity is its weakness. Israelis haven’t a clue as to how to think about, let alone deal with, their society’s diversity — and, most specifically, with the 20% of their society’s members and their state’s citizens who are Palestinians. Shall a Palestinian child be taught that he may one day grow up to be prime minister of the nation? Foreign minister? Minister of justice, or of internal security, and so on and so forth?
And what is the ideal? Is it total integration, really a state of all its citizens — or is it communal self-expression, a Palestinian culture and a Jewish culture living side-by-side, each under its own vine and fig tree? Does Israel’s being a Jewish state mean that Jews are inevitably privileged, Palestinians consigned to second-class citizenship? If so, does that not mean that Israel cannot be a genuine democracy?
No one here, neither Palestinian nor Jew, seeks an ethnic-blind, community-of-origin blind society. Quite the contrary. And, more to the point, if the Jews of Israel want the fact of their Jewishness acknowledged — say, for example, reflected in the curricula of the school system, or in their effective control of the state budget — then surely the Palestinians of Israel are entitled to similar recognition, and more than merely bits and pieces of power over their own forms of self-expression.
When we speak of Israel’s Palestinian citizens, we speak of a community most of whose members speak fluent Hebrew. We speak of people who have, literally, built this country. We speak of generations with roots here that go very deep, of people whose songs of Jerusalem are not less devotional than the Jerusalem songs of the Jews. And we speak of people to whom promises have repeatedly been made and repeatedly been broken.
We speak of people — as individuals and as a community — whose place in the shadows must, if Israel is to keep its promise as a Jewish state, become a place in the sun.
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Yet another anti-Israel diatribe by the Forward's resident far-left extreme Israel-basher, Leonard Fein. We have seen him repeat this same attack on Israel, over and over again, attacking Israel as a Jewish State. How many times must the Forward try to sell this same leftist propaganda against Israel? Using the tactic of the "Big Lie", used by the PLO, and anti-Semites', attacks on "Zionists" and the Jewish State of Israel, Fein propagandizes for the non-Judaising of the Jewish State. No one questions that arabs live in Israel as citizens, with all the privileges of citizenships, and without all of the obligations bourne by others. But we also know that unfortunately most of them deny the Holocaust, side with the "palestinians" against Israel, do not wish to and cannot be trusted to serve in the armed forces, celebrate when Israel is bombarded by Hezbollah, and vote for representatives that attack the State and engage in treasons which make them unworthy of being a part of the body politic. Fein actually makes the extraordinary claim that Israel's arab citizens are "palestinians", who therefore by definition, if they remain in Israel, will be allied with the planned "palestinian" state, and will be free to move there and be "palestinian" citizens. (Does anyone imagine that "Israeli Jews" will be welcome as citizens of arab "palestine", or even allowed to live there in peace? At the moment, the world is intent on destroying the Jewish "settlements" that will ultimately be part of a planned "palestine".) So, no, the "diversity" the arabs represent does not provide strength to Israel. Fein's dissembling by arguing that Israel should model itself on America is obviously nonsense. There is no analogy. Israel was founded and remains the State of refuge for Jews. Jews are permitted and invited to emigrate. Jordan, Syria, Egypt and the other arab states do not welcome Jews, and Jews were forced to leave those countries and are not welcome as citizens there. (This is after Jews also helped "build" those countries, and were forced to leave, most with just the shirts on their backs.) I doubt any Jew who was allowed to live in any adjacent arab country would be entirely at ease with the national anthems, or of the new "palestinian" one.
If in fact Fein is correct that the arch-typical Israeli arab, "knows nothing of Theodor Herzl or the Balfour Declaration", and, "has never saluted the Israeli flag", it is questionable whether he has the makings of an Israeli citizen. How many Americans know nothing of George Washington, or the Declaration of Independence, and have never saluted the American flag in the Pledge of Allegiance? Yes, arabs may live in America, but we expect their children to know and do all of the above. It appears that the onus is on the "Israeli" arabs to choose whether they wish the relative bounties of living as Israeli citizens in return for a loyalty to their country of citizenship, or to continue to raise their children to reject their status as a minority (like minorities living in most states throughout the world) or choose to live in countries where they are effectively 100% majorities.
By the way, Fein is also selling a pipe-dream about an idealized America where our "diversity is our strength." Its a nice motto, but even now there is far from the "total integration" he would force on Jews and arabs in Israel, and his (false) claim of "second-class citizenship" for arabs is still a complaint used by the left in America to continue to force "affirmative action". Yes, there is strength in diversity, but it is also a source of friction, disputes, and disunity among America's many groups.
And I cannot imagine Americans putting up with a large and growing minority which was virulently ant-American, questioned its very legitimacy and dreamed of destroying the country, and cheered if our neighbors began to barrage our cities and towns with bombs. In Israel the arabs are 20% of its population, and it is surrounded by arabs seeking its destruction, who number about 42 times its total population Can you imagine a United States comprised of 60,000,000 arabs who wished America's destruction, and being surrounded by the equivalent of another 12.6 Billion hostile arabs?
It is a true shame that the far-left Israel-bashers like Mr. Fein cannot find it in their bleeding hearts to concern themselves preserving the Jewish State from demographic destruction from within, terrorist attacks and imminent threats of nuclear annihilation from without, and stop attempting to undermine American Jewish support for Israel (being championed by extremist faux-Jewish Israel-haters, of the likes of J Street, in America).
It is dismaying to see Fein visit Israel to garner new fodder, re-energized to launch into yet another attack on Israel. If he can't find positive things to report about Israel (except for his teary melodramatic claims of his "love" for it), perhaps he should visit Egypt, or Jordan, or Syria, or Saudi Arabia, and report on their laudable societies. We have read too many of Fein's screeds against Israel, Zionism and Zionists, and in support of her detractors. Instead, how about a travelogue to an arab country? Or perhaps a change of scene: an ode to Ha'tikvah?
"In our time, 'Jew' is a category outside any legal framework". No, actually, that is not true. The Law of Return allows for any Jew to come and live in Israel. The term "Jew" is defined within the framework of that law. The debate over "who is a Jew" in Israel is exactly that - how should "Jewish" be defined in the Law of Return".
"Israel is a nation-state, and being an Israeli must surely be entirely a matter of law: An Israeli is a citizen of the State of Israel". Mr Fein - apparently you do not understand what the term "nation-state" means (amazing as that may be). A nation-state is a political entity (a "state") that was founded as an expression of self-determination for a particular group that perceives itself as having a common descent or ethnicity (a "nation" - from the Latin word for "birth"). Estonia is a nation-state. It was founded to be the expression of self-determination of the Estonians. There is a very large percentage of non-Estonians in the Estonian state (about 40% are Russian-speakers), so they are citizens of the Estonian state - but they are not Estonians. Israel is also a nation-state, obviously. It is a political entity (a state) that was founded as the expression of self-determination for the Jews (a nation, a group of people who perceive themselves as sharing a common descent).
The Arabic citizens of Israel are Israeli citizens. This use of the term "Israeli" is obviously a formal use of language: a citizen of Israel is an Israeli citizen. However, in terms of self-identity (in terms of how one defines oneself) formalities are unimportant. Israeli Arabs do not regard themselves as "Israeli". That term is used in everyday life only for the Jews. Similarly, the Jewish citizens of Poland before the Holocaust were Polish citizens, and they carried Polish passports. But they were not Poles - not in their own eyes nor in the eyes of the Poles. They were Jews who had Polish citizenship. This kind of reality is very common in the world. Besides the Estonian example and the Jewish example in Poland, one could mention the Finnish citizens who are Swedish-speakers. Are they Finnish? Well, no - "Finnish" is someone else's identity. They are Swedes who are Finnish citizens. One's passport does not necessarily define one's cultural or ethnic identity.
It should be noted as well that "Israel" is an ancient word. It was not born in 1948. In both the Jewish sources (in the Torah: bnei-yisrael) and in the Arabic sources (in the Quran: bani-israil), the word simply means the "Jewish people". Hence, although non-Jews are Israeli citizens, they don't call themselves "Israelis". It's obviously a synonym for "Jews". The "State of Israel" in essence means the "state of the Jewish people". It has another national group that shares citizenship with the national group that founded the state - but the state is still an expression of Jewish peoplehood. The USA is not a nation-state. Citizenship in the USA gives one his American identity, not his ethnic descent. Mr Fein has suggested defining Israel along such the American model. But the American model doesn't fit the nation-state definition.
I don't really know what Mr Fein is trying to tell us this week. "Total integration" in Israel would ultimately mean for the Arabic-speaking minority the lost of their own culture. Mr Fein mentioned that the Israeli Arabs do speak Hebrew - however, it is not their language and culture (the language of their home). It is someone else's language that they study very seriously. It could be that the loss of one's own culture doesn't seem to be a big deal for today's American Jews. The Jews abandoned their own Yiddish language and culture quite willingly, and actually they are proud of the process of Americanization. I don't think that Jewish history will give a "passing grade" to the American Jewish experience. The loss of Yiddish was the loss of a real Jewish treasure (that was not replaced by another treasure).
The Arabic-speaking children in Israel generally go to Arabic-language schools. The Jewish children generally go to a Hebrew-language school. Each school system reflects the cultural identity of its community. That's the way it should be. A single system would eventually be a reflection of the majority Hebrew society. That would be cultural oppression of a community that takes pride in its Arabic civilization. They have the right to maintain their own heritage, and the Israeli system provides the means of doing so.
The Jewish people have worked hard for 3,500 years. We have developed at least three languages and treasured literature, music and art traditions. We have made exceptional contributions to science and to the production of life-sustaining wealth. We have tested many societal modes and preserved what we have learned in a body of law. We have done these things sometimes with the help of our non-Jewish neighbors and sometimes despite their mortal threats.
And, now we have given birth to a child. That child is Israel. Many of us want to be proud of our child’s contributions to science, art, medicine and agriculture, but instead we spend our time having to apologize to our neighbors – apologize as our child betrays its inheritance of Jewish values -- apologize as our child apes our greatest tormentors.
Joel-Well said.
Frank-Enough already. We get it. You are a verkrampte Arutz 7er who sees everyone who doesn't share your narrative as a "far left, extreme anti-Israel basher."
well, i am 00000000001% black, shemitic, slavic, thracian, roman, circasian, greek, scythian, tatar, avar, germanic, and punjabi. also possibly a tad cheroke/apache, maori, ainu, and eskimo.
but, nevertheless, citizen of just one country. This just isn't fair. and it is fault of all these deluded lawmakers which just don't accept my genes.
of course, a jew may also be 000000000002% black, etc. And to come to think of it, if it wasn't for the darkest blacks who had adapted for survival in that scorching sun and suffered for us more than any 'savior' such as moshe, mohammed, jesus, obama, et al, i wldn't be here today and filled with so much genetic make up i sing praises to it everyday. tnx
Joel A. Levitt - I don't really understand your note. First, let us start with the pronoun "we". What do you mean by saying that "we" have given birth to Israel? There are people who do not participate in any way whatsoever in the making of Israel, yet they take for themselves the credit for her existence. You claim to spend time apologizing to your neighbors about Israel. There are many good Jews who spend their finest years defending this land. Do you apologize to them as well that the division of Jewish labor is so unfair - that they (the other Jews) risk their lives while you stand at a distance and say "oy, oy, oy, what an awful job you are doing"? Who are our greatest tormentors that you see us as "aping"? Perhaps, you should visit the nearest Holocaust museum, reconsider your choice of words - and then apologize again for defaming good and dedicated Jews.
We are living in the midst of conflict. Perhaps, you understand how to survive this crisis without resorting to any acts of violence, without fighting wars. Jewish values are not at all impressive when you have no choices to make, when there are no dangers, when you don't have to face the consequences of your decisions. But there is a Jewish society that faces a life and death situation, and it bears the responsibility of protecting the well-being of real people. That's life in the Jewish world today - and no one has to apologize. All peoples have found themselves in a situation where they had to resort to war. In comparing ourselves with other nations, we seem to be very reasonable in our war. The problem with you, Joel, is that you have adopted the perspective of the anti-Israel propaganda; i.e. there is never any context surrounding Israel. Obviously, if there is no context of threats or attacks, then war-like measures are inexcusable and in opposition to human values. But there is a context to our lives. You don't participate in this context (and therefore you don't have to serve as an example and answer tough questions), so strangely it has escaped your vision
Frank,
Did you ever consider entering a contest for "world's biggest moron"? I'm sure you would do very well.
AN Israeli is anyone who steals Palestinian land and uses it for ill purposes. Mr Fein, and Arab who lives in Umm alFahn is not an Israeli. He is a proud Palestinian who is holding on to his rightful lands in trust for the entire Palestinian people. The reason that he is holding on to Israeli citizenship is to recoup a small part of what was stolen from his ancestors in 1948. The whole world recognizes the term "Israeli" as a makr of criminality, a mark of theft and a mark of Cain. That is why the United Nations has passed more resolutions against Israel than against any legitimate nation
This is an issue that has-- most unfaily-- been the basis of the massacre of Jews in the West for cneturies. Finally the British Courts forced some "Jewishness" advocates to grow up and decide whom and what they are-- religion or race. Netanyahu, unknowingly and carelessly, as a gimmick in order to delay a forced settlement between Israel and the Palestinians while he integrates the two peoples economically, demanded that the Palestinians-- AS A PRECONDITION TO NEGOTIATIONS-- recognize Israel as "the state of the Jewish people." Similarly, PM Sharon insisted that all Jews must move to Israel by 2020 or "lose their Jewish soul." Abe Foxam, leader of the anti-DEFAMATION League-- anti-defamation, of all titles-- pleaded at a Jerusalem Conference of World Jewish Students that he be forgiven for having fought so little for Zionism but he was TOO BUSY FIGHTING AGAINST ASSIMILATION!!!!
All these raise questions of trying to have your cake and eat it too on the assumptions that these "dumb goyim" are too dumb to realize it. The Israeli Ambasador to the United States has BOTH Israeli and American citizenship!!!! Can one woder what all this means to non-Jews? Are Jews one of us, or are they a fight column for some foreign country that exists as a fetal state on an American $ placenta?
This is a most dangerous time to open these cans of worms as time now is 20 minutes to Krystanacht in Northern Midwest. Indeed, Jews were not the cause of the current automobile industry colllapse, though some would have you believe it: http://news.ronatvan.com/2009/06/18/the-jewish-zionist-gang-that-bankrupted-general-motors/ (it appears on ten pages of google sites)
This seemingly well "documented" article is indeed a lot of crap. But who will question it when desperate to find a scapegoat so as not to have to face one's own economic avarice driven catastrophe?
For Zionist extremists all this is fine and dandy. Afteral, the "settlements" in Israel are empty buildings built at US taxpayers expense through secret Congressional shenanigans in the hope that SOME DAY Diaspora Jews will chose to make the Great Aliyah to Israel. Recently, on a StLouis radio show former President Cater was asked why did only 38% of Jews vote for him in his bid for re-election? He responded that he was the only Democratic candidate in that election NOT to get a majority of Jews. He explained that it was because "the Jewish leaders" didn't like that he returned the Sinai to the Egyptians and thought it belongs to Israel. One might recall that the original meaning of the Jewish flag was a land of the Jewish people (the Star) occupying the land between the two great rivers, Nile and Eupretes (the two lines). This explains why far more Arabs feared a Jewish state as it not only involved Palestine but from half of Egypt to half of Iraq. When one of Ben Gurion's aides asked him how he could settle for such strange borders as the UN provided he said: there will be more, much more, in time.
All this has muddled the crime perpetrated against the Jewish people in Europe. Especially as Zionism has never ceased to exploit that catastrophe, turning it into a sacrilegious desacration of an event that all mankind must seek to understand so as not to repeat it. Yet, just as Zionists exploit the Holocaust Industry, often with self-serving fabrications that only feed the campaigns of those who deny the historic fact of the Holocaust (focus on the gas chambers ecclipse the fact that German soldiers killed by hand helpless Jewish men women and children), providing illusion of historic fraud.
All this stems from an ambiguity, an attempt to insit to us dumb goyim that Jews can go up and down, right and left at the same time; a skill Christians only attribute to angels. The current British Court ruling puts starkly before Jews the need for a clear statement as to what is a Jew, especially as even Foxman has abandoned his distinction betweeen anti-Zionist and anti-Semite. At this time of Western rage over what america has economically done to the world, it would be very prudent to settle this issue as the mass majority of Jews have proven through thier settlement patterns that they consider Israel a nice place to visit but they wouldn't want to have to live there. American Jews are as American as apple pie and would never forgive Zionists for helping the right wing crazies foment anti-Semitism in America in the hope that they would stampede to Israel with all their assets. Perhaps the lesson of this British legal crisis will be a separation of nationality and religion, especially as most Jews of today are East Europe desendents of converts to Judiam. When Netanyahu abandons this stalling tactic he will no doubt signal Israel's desire to integrate with the Arab world economically and diplomatically as it now seeks to do with the Palestinians before negotiating a two states settlement.
Who Is an Israeli? To myself (as a Christian) it would seem to me that a true Israeli should be anyone, whatever their ethnic background, who welcomes the opportunity to become an Israeli citizen and embraces the history, principles and ideals of the Israeli people and their democratic form of government. When in Israel during the late winter of 1990, prior to the outbreak of the first Iraq war, I was visitng a resettlement center for Russian Jews. I had asked the center's director as to how on earth could she could possibly know whether all these many Russians coming here were actually Jews? I shall never forget those four words of this Israeli woman's answer to my question: "Does it really matter?"
Yehuda – Let me answer your questions and ask some of my own.
In all cases “we” are the Jewish people. Do you imagine that Israel could have been created without the involvement of those of the diaspora? The very idea of returning to Zion before the coming of the messiah was a product of galut.
As to the contribution of individuals to the birth and survival of Israel, my contribution as a Zionist leader may have been smaller than yours – I can’t tell, since you don’t let us know your name. Are you old enough to have been a member of the pre-state Yishuv? Were you a leading officer in the Palmach, the Haganah, the IDF? Are you a scientist or artist, who’s eminence has brought credit to Israel? Perhaps, you are a leading industrialist or you have played a significant role in government or in politics? Please let us know; we won’t think that you are bragging.
In my view there is nothing wrong with Israel using necessary violence when it is subjected to aggression. I apologize for Israel ignoring the basic law and shorting the water supplied to Arab Israeli citizens and for the Israeli Government ignoring Israeli law by being complicit in illegally seizing the land of West Bank Palestinians and, most often, ignoring the depredations of West Bank Jewish settlers. I apologize for Israel failing to honor its peace promises and for holding land taken by conquest, contrary to its treaty obligations as signers of the UN charter and the Geneva Accords. These shameful things have little to do with aggression against Israel.
Finally, here are three examples of our worst tormentors: the Romans, under Pompey, who took Judea by force of arms; the USSR, which passed its Economic Laws to deprive Jews of their place in Russian society, and the Chmielnicki Cossacks, who, supposedly rebelling against Poland in order to preserve their religion, took the opportunity to rape and pillage all the Jews they could find.
Joel A. Levitt - You used the term "our greatest tormentors". That would be Nazi Germany, obviously. You're trying to pretend that the intention is "only" Pompey or Chmielnicky, instead of admitting that your expression of criticism was in insultingly poor taste. Even the examples that you have now admitted are your true intention show that you don't really understand the reality of conflict in this country. You live in a world in which other Jews must shoulder the responsibilities - AND then you don't have a clue as to the high quality of our Jewish army.
Once upon a time, when I was a soldier, I was hitching a ride home after a very big military story had occurred. A nice English-speaking Jewish tourist picked me up, and he was bubbling over in excitement about what had happened. "We really showed them, didn't we", he bragged. Well, I was pleased that he identified with Israel so much that he would include himself in our achievements - but still that "we" was just a bit too much for me. It's "we" for him - but someone else risks his life, someone else tills the soil, someone else builds the homeland... "Bishvil kavod - tzarikh la'avod" (if you want some honor, you have to go to work)! So, it's nice that you include yourself in this interesting chapter of Jewish history; however, a little humility would be in order. Your perception of reality is so exaggerated.
Frank spells Jew with a capital, and arab with a little a.
Enough said.
DE Teodoru - The flag of Israel is based on the "tallit" (tallis). The two blue stripes are not the Euphrates and the Nile (that is hate propaganda). They represent the "ptil ha-tkhelet", the blue string, as described in the Torah. It would do you some good to research Israel as she is perceived in her own eyes. The point of reference is always Biblical Israel (hence the revival of Hebrew, hence the name "Israel", hence the flag based on the tallit as it had been before exile, hence Jerusalem is the capital, etc, etc). The rest of your presentation is also very poor.
yehuda, the "high quality of the israeli army", means what? Was that a slip or said intentionally? in fact, IOF is one the more murderous armies. And not because it is an army but solely because it is better armed than most armies and much more strongly supported in its hatred by countries that matter.
more poorly-armed IOF, wld result in fewer person hunts, destruction, abductions, jailings, torture; less land theft, oppression, etc. in short, israeli soldiers are first of all people. Broadly, like any other. And caught not in a win-win sit'n, but win-lose one. and the nature looks on and is preparing its final solution. tnx
Jews, as defined the Nazi Nuremberg Laws, meant that even a single Jewish grandparent made one "racially" Jewish. And so many Germans with Jewish blood were forced to leave and some reluctantly came to Palestine where they had no choice but to live in a Jewish state, something their Germanic blood apparently detests. The simple idea that the State of Israel is the Jewish National Home, as specified by the League of Nations Mandate in 1922, but also the country of all of its citizens seems to be too difficult a concept for them to grasp. Germany is the homeland of the Germanic peoples, but it too has non-Germanic minorities, such as Jews, who have citizenship in the German state. A homeland, and a country where you have citizenship therein are not necessarily one and the same things. I'm an American citizen, but I consider it to be strictly the homeland of the 150 native "Indian" nations. Israel is the homeland of the Jewish nation, but also the country of citizenship for many non-Jewish minorities. It's quite simple.
Yehuda – First you ask me what I meant - then you tell me. Now I know why you don’t disclose your name. It’s so you can play the fool without embarrassment.
Raed Kami:
The Koran says before the end of days the Jews will return to their land. "And thereafter We said to the Children of Israel: 'Dwell securely in the Promised Land. And when the last warning will come to pass, we will gather you together in a mingled crowd."Koran (17:104, The Night Journey).
Rarely in the Arab-Israeli dispute do we hear those Koranic passages, which could be interpreted as setting out an Islamic basis for the establishment of a Jewish state in Israel.
You know, before 1967, Islamists referred to the Jews as Palestinians and the present-day Palestinians were called Jordanians. Jordan revoked the citizenship of West Bank Arabs in 1988.
However, Islamists seldom actually quote the Koran itself. This is probably because the Koran actually supports Jewish claims. Here are several quotes straight from the Koran:
-Mohammed in Sura 5:21 quotes Moses telling the Jews to "enter into the holy land which Allah has assigned to you". While Mohammed later criticizes the Jews for their sins and their refusal to accept Mohammed's message, he never says that, as punishment, Allah has revoked their title to the land. Hence the title still stands, and Muslim anti-Zionists are apostates.
-A case could even be made that Israel's victory over the Arabs in the 1948 war was a judgement by Allah against the Arabs for their apostasy in opposing the Jews. This would be their just reward for transgressing Sura 2:190, which says, "Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities."
-Moreover, Sura 60:9 forbids aiding the enemies of the Muslim people. Contrast this with the Palestinians' continued support of Saddam Hussein, whose hands are red with the blood of Iranian, Kurdish, and Kuwaiti Muslims.
-The Jews' return from 19 centuries of exile is actually the fulfillment of Islamic prophecy. Sura 17:104 says that "when the promise of the Hereafter comes to pass, We [Allah] shall bring you as a crowd gathered out of various nations".
-Sura 17:4 says, "And We [Allah] gave (clear) warning to the children of Israel in the Book, that twice would they do mischief on the earth and be elated with mighty arrogance (and twice would they be punished)!" The succeeding verses tell us that the punishment referred to was banishment from the land. But "twice" means twice, not three times; hence the Jews, having been banished from the land once by the Babylonians and a second time by Rome, will never again be banished from the land. According to the Koran, Israel is an eternal nation. -Sura 83:1 says, "Woe to those that deal in fraud"; yet Yasser Arafat & Co. reneged on his promise to guard Joseph's Tomb in Nablus after the Israeli troops withdrew.
-The Palestinians (Jordan revoked the citizenship of West Bank Arabs in 1988)deny that there ever was a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. But Sura 17:7 records the destruction of the First Temple by Babylon and the Second Temple by Rome, and Mohammed never contests the Bible's claim that the Temples were in Jerusalem.
When we speak of all 'Palestinians', Jewish, Muslim, Christian, native-born, Russian, Moroccan, Polish, or Egyptian, partitioned-in or partitioned-out, in the same breath, with the same opportunities and the same stake in the future of the country, that is when Israel will become legitimate not just to the world but to itself as well.
A nation with scattered roots that is ideologically built upon barriers will self-destruct.
Alan Goldstein - We do not all have the same identity. You call us all "Palestinians" (Jews, Muslims, Christians). But we are not all Palestinians. Today, "Palestinian" is the identity of Arabic-speakers (mostly Muslims, but some Christians as well). It does not include the Jews who have a Hebrew-language identity, known today as "Israeli". It's simply a fact of life that two peoples live in the same small country - and to expect that all will see themselves as having the "same stake in the future of the country" is simply absurd. The society of the Middle East is composed of many, many ethnic groups that do not see eye-to-eye on anything, even though they live in the same state. So, is Lebanon an illegitimate state in your eyes as well with the Shi'ites pulling in one direction, the Druze in another, and the Christians in yet another direction (and there are still more groups in that very small land). How do you define Syria? And what about Iraq's legitimacy? The Americans are insisting that Iraq remain united, although the non-Arabic Kurds in the north would just love to declare independence and break off from the Arabic-speaking south. Do you also have the urge to discuss the legitimacy of Russia which has many non-Russian peoples who do not have "the same stake in the future of the country". Well, as often happens, such questions of legitimacy are formulated only for Israel. Don't you get tired of the blunt discrimination?
Well, anyway, Israel is a member-state of the United Nations. Its legitimacy is self-evident. Moreover, like all other states in the world, its legitimacy remains intact even though there are all sorts of problems.
Ben Levi-
You've gotten to the crux of the matter- "It's simply a fact of life that two peoples live in the same small country."
Now start acting in recoginition of that fact- SAME SMALL COUNTRY.
Get a government that treats people equally. Get an ideology that doesn't put the interests of some over the interests of others. Get with the facts rather than the illusion.
Alan Goldstein - I think that it is more than reasonable to assume that with the end of animosity, the formerly conflicting communities would be able to live in the type of harmonious coexistence with "the same stake in the future of the country" that you envision. We all envision it. It's sounds as if you are expecting the realization of Isaiah's prophecies together with mutual hostilities. I don't think that we are quite that talented.
once any cult proclaims that its adherents are superior or 'chosen' by a phantom 'god', it represents, to me, a casus belli. and since mad priests of ancient hebrews have declared that hebrews [who disappeared as expected] are chosen by an unseeable 'being', the eternal war against hebrews {and now afro-euro-asian peoples} and the war of above mentioned peoples against goyim had been going on for ca. 3000 yrs. if 'jews' maintain present attitude, they too will evanesce. Or do 'jews' expect that world plutos, who worship largely or solely money, wld tolerate boycott of their goods by goyim for te sake of mad judaists or their equally mad cult? even rich 'jews' wld, if their product wld be boycotted, might abandon the damn cult and its mad priests. tnx
An Article in the Monday 13 July issue of Haaretz reports that the EU Foreign Minister has called for the UN to recognize a Palestinian state and draft and enforce a peace treaty by a date certain if the parties have not first reached and adopted a peace treaty (http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1099550.html).
Here is a typical European “Talkback” response:
"Finally!
I think it is about time that Israel accepts that the world community is getting tired of their foot dragging and sabotage. At the same time, this conflict is creating more tension between East and West. Enough is enough.
I totally agree with Mr. Solana that if peace is not achieved, it should be imposed with backing of world community and UNSC with international troops in order to safe guard the security of Israelis, Palestinians and the present Jewish settlers and future Palestinian Jews.“
And, here is my response:
“The Israelis and Palestinians had better get busy sincerely negotiating a peace or the rest of the world will do it for them. The world won’t even need troops to enforce the peace. Imagine the effect of a complete embargo of Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.”
Yehuda, you are absolutely right, RELIGIOUSLY. But YOU do some research and see how SECULARLY Likud and others defined the very bands on the flag at its start, as did many of its predecessors. At any rate, I must express my joy at how free of vitriol and how rational is all the discussion on this thread, as opposed to many others. Many may not agree with eachother but, in the main, this is a model of CARING intellect on all sides. Thank you, for we need this tone in order to survive the prospects for another violent and horendous Holocaust in these times of 20 minutes to Krystalhaht. This is the tenor that attracted me to the FORWARD many years ago. Shalom.
Joel A. Levitt - Neither Israel nor the Palestinians intend to negotiate a peace treaty. Both sides prefer the status quo. The Palestinian side feels that ultimately it will be able to make political achievements (that will be forced upon Israel by the outside world) without having to make any concessions or compromises. An example can be seen at present. The idea of Solana to found a Palestinian state through a decision of the Security Council has aroused a lot of excitement with the Palestinians. They understand that a Palestinian state might be founded without winning Israel's agreement (without a peace treaty with Israel). From their view, this would mean that they could achieve statehood without promising Israel that the conflict is finished. A negotiated, signed peace treaty would mean the acceptance of Israel as permanent and final, and that is very unpopular in Palestinian society (the struggle against Zionism will be seen as having ended in dismal failure). Moreover, in practical political terms of today's reality, how could Abu-Mazen sign any agreement on behalf of the Palestinians when he has no control over the Hamas government in Gaza? He will avoid exposing himself as a leader who speaks for only half of his public.
Israel also is not interested in a final treaty. In order to achieve an agreement, the concessions that Israel will have to make are enormous. Now, if Israel really believed that these concessions were the very, very, very end of conflict, she could theoretically consider them. However, it seems obvious to Israel that the conflict will not end even after the most unimaginable concessions (the return of refugees). There will always be those factors that will continue the struggle against us (for example renewing the suicide bombings) with the intention of forcing the continuity of hostilities. There is no problem presenting new grievances against Israel in order to justify the continuation of conflict even after the signing of "final" peace.
There other possibility that you raise is that the world will force upon us a peace arrangement. There will be no forced settlement. It really is a waste of energy even considering it. It is impossible. A forced settlement will have to define the cause of conflict - but it will remain a total mystery. And the motivation to continue the struggle will continue unabated.
Everyone is so busy trying to find a solution for this conflict. There is no solution. We have to learn to be patient, and to learn to live in a permanent reality of conflict. And it's not the first time in Jewish history that we had to live for generations and generations in a very hostile world. Not all problems can be solved.
yehuda, respectfully, the status quo u speak of have not ever existed; i.e, palestinian were losing land and still are losing land. standing, status, stanje [in slavic l.] did not ever stay the same even from the day zionists met a basle in 1897 let alone balfour decl'n, '48 expulsion, deir yassin, jenin, gaza 08, suicides, qassams, 'settlings', jailings, manhunts, abduction, plowing under orchards, etc.
i do not see how palestinians can accept stanje now with 500K mad judaists in palestinian lands pitted against mad moslems.
it goes without saying that even the best 'offer' [read, please: diktat] ever wld be rejected.
and for me, clinton's 'generous offer' was not an eye opener; having expected then as now that the new 'offer' wld be deliberately so miniscule that it cannot but be rejected.
diferring establishment of a 'jewish' state only, must go on for decades longer; as this is the only way a much larger 'jewish' state can be set up.
this is the reason [there may be others]why peace-war process is still going on. Its aim is to defer- at any cost to humans- establishment of a 'jewish' state or afro-euro-asian colony. tnx
Sorry Muslim Zionist, nice try. But the issue is not the Jews of the Bible but the CONVERTS from the east-most Eurasia as it is these that are the "Zionists" that came "back home" to Roman named Palestine. We Americans and Europeans who are broke yet still asked to throw $billions into the area must insist on guiding our diplomacy by a distinction between church and state. A nation can do whatever it wants, but we support Israel of the Israelis, not Netanyahu's demanded "nation of the Jewish people" for fear that this would again make the anti-Semitic case for shipping you all back to the Middle East. Nor do we stand with HAMAS's Palestinie as a base from which to impose the Muslim Brotherhood on Egypt and the Arab states. An American Jew is a legal American, not a legal Israeli, unless he/she choses to imigate. Same for a Muslim American. And right now MOST Jews and Arab Palestinians seem to want a beter life for their chidren-- if not there then abroad. Palestina is a small and arid place that lives as a 60y/o fetus on an extremely large and engorged $ placenta from many countries. As Israel and Palestine-- two states with one economy-- they might provide a real fututre to their children without depending on a welfare check from millions of Americans and Europeans who now themselves are so dependent on a welfare check from the same Wash DC and EU that so lavishes Israel/Palestine with cash. Hopefully then, in a peaceful tow states one economy solution, neither Arab not Jewish youths, once educated, would continue to leave for Western lands nad for nww citizenships, new careers and new lives for their progeny.
Yehuda -- You wrote: “Neither Israel or the Palestinians intend to negotiate a peace treaty. Both sides prefer the status quo.” Based on the polls conducted by the Hebrew University (http://truman.huji.ac.il/poll-view.asp?id=279), Tel Aviv University (http://www.spirit.tau.ac.il/xeddexcms008/manage.asp?siteID=5&lang=2&action=5) and the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research (http://pcpsr.org/welcome.html), I think that you are incorrect. Some Israeli and Palestinian leaders and some Israeli and Palestinian religious groups want to continue the conflict, but the majority of Israelis and Palestinians want a two-state peace. If, however, you are correct, then, fortunately for the Israeli and Palestinian children, establishing and enforcing a peace treaty will be taken out of their hands, and woe to anyone who tries to subvert it.
Joel - We have discussed in the past public opinion polls and their value in understanding the conflict. Both Palestinians and Israelis will accept a peace treaty that satisfies their vision of peace. So, yes, you will find "x" percent of Palestinians who will agree to a two-state solution - but their prior assumption is that the refugees and their descendants will be settled in Israel. Likewise, "y" percent of Israelis will agree to a two-state solution - but our prior assumption is that the new Palestinian state will solve the refugee issue in its territory. So, it might sound to you that a majority in both communities agree on final status ("two-state" solution), but actually we don't agree at all. Now, I wonder how in your eyes the refugee issue will be "solved" in the forced solution that you foresee. Do you really believe that Israel could be forced to take in millions of hostile people? I don't think that you can force a society to commit national suicide. Dictating to the Palestinians that the refugees will be settled in their new state is the other possibility of a forced solution. But they will prefer to continue the struggle, and it's obvious. They've demonstrated high motivation despite all hardships and setbacks.
I do not believe that the conflict can be defined in tangible terms such as "borders" or "refugees". The conflict is larger than the sum total of all its grievances. In other words, even if we solve the border issue, the refugee issue, etc - there will still be a conflict. There is something else, something philosophic, that defies definition. It's easier to discuss the tangible issues which can be defined; hence, I raised the issue of refugees. The Palestinians will continue to insist that Israel take in the descendants of the refugees. This is not a tactical ploy just for negotiations. So, the conflict will not be resolved even if it were merely a conflict about refugees.
Yehuda – I agree that both the Palestinians and the Israeli Jews sincerely want what they say they want, but they also realize that they can’t get it all. That is the basis for negotiations. Even though Taba foundered on refugees and Jerusalem, the subsequent 2003 Geneva Accords left the number of Palestinian refugees to be admitted to Israel to Israel’s sole discretion and provides a basis for hope that the parties can negotiate a workable peace. If not, the rest of the world may force a peace, and, if not that, then I believe we will have to support more and more Jewish/Arab individual-to-individual contacts until the current fear and anger subside sufficiently.
For two reasons, I believe that a single state is out of the question at this time. The mutual fear and anger is the first. The second reason is that the secular and religious components of each people must work out their own accommodations, before they can successfully share the governance of a state.
You asked about my view of the return of Palestinian refugees to Israel. To me, the return of large numbers is impractical and undesirable by reason of the above-mentioned fear and anger and, because of the damage it would do to the developing Jewish culture. However, I believe that we Jews and particularly Israeli Jews have a responsibility to help with the return of those Palestinians who want to return to the Palestinian state.
Did any of the secular "states of their citizens" including Mr.Fein's goog ole' U.S. of A. headed by St. Roosevelt give shelter to Jews attempting to escape Europe before the war? It is for that reason , among others thAt a Jewish state is an imperative if that terrible situation is never to be repeated. Who would have accepted the poor Mizrachi refugees from Arab lands ( besides France and Canada which "cherry-picked their elites), from Ethiopia, and former Soviet Union, besides Israel? Do not scoff, but even you enlightened "J-streeters" may one day (hopefully never) need the protection of a Jewish State.
Joel - You say that the two sides "also realize that they can’t get it all". The Jewish side realized a very long time ago that compromise will advance its best interests. The concept of partition, of dividing the land into two states, was adopted by the Yishuv. I don't think that the political culture of compromise typifies the Palestinian national movement. Today, the Fatah leadership (Abu-Mazen) accepts the principle of two states. It would seem that the spirit of compromise has been adopted. But note that they are not saying "two states for two peoples" (which is what you would hear in Hebrew). Two "peoples" means the Palestinian people and the Jewish people, obviously. But they don't recognize that there is a Jewish people! They only recognize that there is a Jewish religion, the believers of which belong to many peoples. To recognize that there is a Jewish people necessitates recognizing that this peoplehood has the right to self-determination (statehood); i.e. it means that Zionism was a legitimate national movement.
So, they speak of two states: the one state will be the Palestinian nation-state, expressing the right of Palestinian Arabs to self-determination - but the other state will not be the Jewish nation-state! Indeed, Joel, the acceptance of the two-state solution by the Palestinian public seems to be a positive development - but, in reality, their understanding of the terminology "two-state solution" is simply the exact same 100 year-old conflict: a rejection of the entire Jewish narrative. There is no Jewish peoplehood, no historic connection between Jews and this soil, no right to found a Jewish nation-state.
There is one Palestinian figure who calls upon his people to abandon the demand of return. He is Sari Nusseibeh, the president of Al-Quds University. He understands that Israel will never agree, so he wishes to define Palestinian aspirations in practical terms. There might be readers of the Forward who don't remember the "2003 Geneva Accords", and they might think that this is some formal agreement. No, that is misleading. Prof Nusseibeh agreed that the return of refugees would be in accordance to Israel's discretion - but he (just like Ami Ayalon on Israel's side) did not speak in the name of the Palestinian people. The position of the Palestinians - the leadership and the people at large - is "unconditional and unlimited return". There is no point in pretending about reality. The Palestinians will not accept the settlement of refugees in the new Palestinian state, and the solution will not be forced on them either. How, for example, do you threaten a suicide bomber to comply with the forced solution? He won't exactly be concerned about a long prison term or a heavy fine.
Obviously, Jews would be happy to help with the settling of Palestinian refugees in the future Palestinian state. But it's all theoretical. If the condition for establishing Palestinian statehood is "the end of conflict and the settling of refugees in Palestinian territory", they will not declare the founding of their state! They're not in a hurry.
The conflict will not come to an end any time soon. We have to learn to face this reality of low-intensity but permanent hostility. The secret of success is patience. The Arab side has patience and is willing to suffer the price of conflict for generations, confident in its ultimate success. We're also an ancient people with a long historic perspective. Take a deep breath. It's a long road ahead.
Mr. Fein's article is a continuation - a repeat? - of most of his other articles in the Forward. I am a liberal democrat (yes, I hear Phil Ochs in the background) but these days find myself much more challenged by ideas such as those articulated in Daniel Gordis' new book to the effect that Israel, if it is to have meaning and survive must be a Jewish state and not a hebrew speaking America. Indeed, Mr. Fein's article apparently urges that Israel must emulate America in every which way, including the basic framework of how it defines itself and its relationship with "minorities". A fresh approach is needed.
Walking around the old Walled City of Jerusalem on Tisha B'av evening is a Jerusalem Custom practiced for hundreds of years. Several years ago, Women In Green helped revitalize this meaningful custom. It was at a time when the former Government felt no need to identify with our age-old traditions, beliefs, and aspirations. We therefore read the traditional book of Eicha (Lamentations) by candlelight outside the home of the late Prime Minister Rabin. We reminded him of the destruction of the First and Second Temples on the Temple Mount, thousands of years ago on this very night of Tisha B'av.
Women In Green then proceeded to lead a Walk around the Walls of the Old City. Our destination was the Western Wall. That was appropriate because The "Kotel," albeit the Outside Courtyard Wall of the Temple Area, is an important remnant of the Jewish glory that once was the Temple Mount. The holiday of Tisha B'av recalls these national tragedies. The destruction of both of our magnificent Holy Temples on the same day is no mere historical coincidence. It is a warning to us today of what can occur when the nation is divided and disloyal to its traditions, values, and to the Promise of the Lord concerning this Land.
The Police, at first, refused to give us a Permit for the Walk. Accordingly, we appealed to the High Court. We won. About 30,000 joined us in our last Walk, on Tisha B'av 1995, probably the largest turnout to observe this old Jerusalem Custom up to then.
This year Tisha B'av once again affords the opportunity to deliver an important message to Jews here in Israel, and abroad. It also has a vital and relevant message to the world at large, and to America in particular. That message is that we are an ancient People, with inextricable ties to this our homeland. It is here where our forefathers are buried, and it is here that we have our Biblical roots -- that we suffered catastrophies in the past, and were sent into exile, and cannot ignore the clear lessons of Tisha B'av.
To stress this significant message, Women In Green have decided to read, as is the tradition on Tisha B'av evening, the traditional "Book of Lamentations,"but this year near the American Consulate here in Jerusalem. Tisha B'av is stock-taking time, and a search for how to avoid a repetitive catastrophe; we are turning to prayer to strengthen our resolve. Moreover, by joining in the ancient Jerusalem Custom of walking around part of the Walled City of Jerusalem, we are declaring our People's resolve not to allow the conditions leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and Israel to re-occur, neither in our time, nor at any time in the future.
Ruth and Nadia Matar
http://womeningreen.org/?cat=28 -------------------------------
Tisha B'Av 2008 August 10, 2008
"Up there the Jordanians had their soldiers stationed…" "When mashiach will come, it will be through that gate over there…" ""Saba (grandpa) fought here in the Six Day War." Snippets of conversation overheard in a hands-on outdoor classroom as parents walk with their children around the outside of the walls of Jerusalem's Old City to mark the beginning of Tisha B'Av.
Last night, thousands took part in the revival of the tradition of walking around the walls that has captured the attention of growing numbers of Jerusalemites in recent years. This year marks the 14th anniversary of the revival of the Tisha B'Av custom, initiated by the Women In Green organization headed by Nadia and Ruth Matar.
A gentle breeze blows through the concrete canyon created by the buildings that make up Jerusalem's municipal complex, Safra Square. The wind ruffles the sackcloth garment worn by a middle-aged man sitting alone on the hard ground in the square as Tisha B'Av descends on Jerusalem.
Along with hundreds of others, he's there to mourn the long litany of national tragedies that has befallen the Jewish people around this date all through Jewish history. While Yom Kippur is the day for personal reckoning, Tisha B'Av is the occasion for some national soul-searching over what led to our various ancient and recent disasters.
As we sit waiting for the start of the recitation of Eichah, the mournful lament for his people penned by the prophet Jeremiah, we remember Tisha B'Av 2006, when many of us here tonight spent part of that day at the heartrending funeral of IDF soldier Michael Levin z"tl, a young American immigrant killed in the Second Lebanon War.
There were civilian casualties too during that dreadful Tisha B'Av two short years ago. Five people were killed by rockets fired into Israeli towns on that day. Shimon Zribi, his 15-year-old daughter Mazal, Albert Ben-Abu, and Aryeh and Tiran Tamam all perished in Akko.
Tisha B'Av is the one day of the year when Jewish prayers are broadcast over a public address system, in contrast to the daily Moslem call to prayer blasted out five times a day over amplification systems from the mosques in eastern Jerusalem. It's actually a little disorienting to hear the Hebrew of Eichah amplified over the main city square.
As the marchers move off following a huge banner proclaiming a slogan of allegiance to Jerusalem, organizer Nadia Matar reminds the crowd that this is not a demonstration or a rally, nor is it a social event. In fact, no reminder is necessary, as the restrained mass of Jews soberly sets out to encircle the gates of the Holy City. It's difficult to estimate the crowds, but it takes a while for the masses to move out of Safra Square at the beginning of Jaffa Road and set off on their way after the public reading of Eichah.
Scattered amongst the marchers are a significant number of non-observant Israelis. Women wearing pants walk side by side with others whose hair is carefully covered with a scarf or hat.
There are wheelchair "marchers" and a number of octagenarian walkers, some supported by younger relatives, who all manage to reach the end of the hour-long route.
As we pass New Gate, the main entry to the Christian Quarter, we see that all traffic on Route #1 (the main north/south gateway through the city) has been halted by a bus blocking the main road as we take over the streets and pour down the road toward Damascus Gate. Spotlights and snipers are dotted on the rooftops and although most of the Arab stores are shuttered tight, soldiers keep a tight watch over several dozen Arabs who watch us march by as we pass Saleh el Din Street, the main commercial avenue of eastern Jerusalem. Border police hold back a few Arabs coming out of Herod's Gate as we stream past.
Walking down the hill toward Damascus Gate we turn to look back at those behind us. People as far back as we can see.
We stop in front of Lions Gate, where Israeli paratroopers entered to liberate the Temple Mount in the 1967 Six Day War. Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, head of the Temple Institute, tells us, "I'm full of shame." He recounts how he had approached the gate a few minutes earlier and was threatened by a couple of young Arabs. Rav Ariel sought help from the police standing around and was told, "What are you doing at Lions Gate?" "I was here with Motta Gur's paratroopers 41 years ago and no one asked us then what we were doing here!" Rav Ariel exclaims.
Knesset member Aryeh Eldad and former Knesset member Elyakim Haetzni both recall the Lebanon War as well as the previous summer's tragic expulsion of Jews from Gush Katif that occurred on the day after Tisha B'Av 2005. Both resulted from weakness. "We have a corrupt government that is a failure—now they're freeing more terrorists," Eldad continues. MK Eldad tells marchers that the people are stronger than the leaders and exhorts the people to "send a message from here. Gush Katif, Amona—we won't let it happen again."
Rabbi Yosef Mendelevich, former Prisoner of Zion and one of Israel's most unsung heroes, explains that he feels compelled to say Kaddish at this spot just outside the Temple Mount "for the heroes who fell here." He turns to face the site of the Temple and the thousands of marchers who had listened quietly to the speeches rise behind him to gaze up at Lions Gate and join in the response to his passionate rendition of the ancient words of praise and hope.
In front of us we see the Mount of Olives crowned with its Arab and Christian institutions. There's a refreshing feeling of freedom as thousands walk freely down the road that overlooks the oldest Jewish cemetery in the world.
Many marchers wander over to the wall to gaze at the Kidron Valley below with Absalom's Tomb and the monument to the prophet Zechariah. Across the valley we can see the Maale Hazeitim development that acts as a buffer between Abu Dis and the Temple Mount.
Rounding the corner, we look up at the imposing Southern Wall of the Temple with the steps and Huldah's Gate, before making the ascent towards Dung Gate and the entrance to the Western Wall.
"Look over there," says a young mother to her wide-eyed daughter. "You can see the stairs where the Jews used to go up to the Temple," she says as we walk up the hill in front of the southern wall.
Glancing backwards again, the sight of the crowds of people still behind us is awesome. Quiet and dignified, the march has once again gone off without incident.
Getting out of the area proves challenging, as, for some reason this year the Egged bus company decide not to lay on the constant line of buses that usually shuttle the throngs back and forth to Dung Gate, the closest exit to the Kotel. Well after midnight, hundreds of us are hiking up the road to Mt Zion and then down towards Sultan's Pool. Dozens of other pedestrians are making their way in the darkness down the snake path from the top of Mt Zion, and we all end up walking along Hebron Road, which is packed with traffic in both directions as if it were daytime rush hour.
Well after midnight I see the man in sackcloth reading Lamentations as he's stretched out on a concrete ledge inside the tunnel that links the Kotel plaza to the Moslem Quarter. He's no longer alone.
Yehuda,
"The Jewish side realized a very long time ago that compromise will advance its best interests."
Tell that to many of the settlers.
When I was a child growing up in rural Illinois - I remember my Russian grandfather railing at the television each time a Jew would speak.
There was something in the way he said the word – JEW – that made it sound like a noxious, subhuman, thing….
I never knew any – until I left Illinois.
At almost 62, I’ve now lived long enough to see Jews collude in America’s courtrooms, planning commissions, school boards and in business and media.
It goes without saying that there is plenty of greed and corruption in the world – but there is something more nefarious going on here between Jews – as the efforts in Reston show us.
I think the most chilling example I’ve witnessed was in family court between a Jewish attorney and what was supposed to be an independent assessment by a psychiatrist from the Family Clinic which guides judges in custody cases.
The Jewish psychiatrist was persuaded to rule against the mother because she called the Jewish lawyer a ‘filthy scumbag’.
The cause and effect was pretty self evident when the psychiatrist taunted the otherwise innocent mom with “what happens to anti semites” ….
The outcome was pretty awful. The two Jews managed to destroy the life of the child – a gentile child – so no matter -and created a family of VIRULENT JEW HATERS.
This event changed the life of 6 people I know very well. Their hatred for Jews is focused and activist.
Over the years, I’ve witnessed Jews in the ski town of Telluride Colorado collude with board members to increase zoning capacities for Jewish properties on the side of a cliff with no access… and down zone properties which, if developed, would have affected the ‘view’ of a fellow Jew.
I’ve seen a Jewish lawyer betray his client in favor of a fellow Jewish plaintiff. I’ve seen Jewish judges favor Jewish claimants, and I’ve seen seen two Jewish lawyers gang bang the clueless gentile – again serving their own.
The problem with this evolutionary strategy for a very very ambitious minority – is the collective, exponential backlash.
Victims of these heinous ethnocentric practices NEVER FORGET. And it narrows their focus in life… they are changed by the enormity of the deceit… and by the inability to get anybody to listen or speak up about the practices.
The Telluride Times was owned by a Jew – who refused to print letters about these practices. The community was unable to defend itself from these monsters, because not only did the Jews own the media, they owned the moral high ground….. complaining that we were all neo nazis… jealous, ignorant and DANGEROUS anti semites.
A tag team of Jews buying properties in Aspen had an ongoing scam wherein they bought up properties and then immediately filed suit to void the sale because of ‘defects’. They were notorious down at city hall because of how many properties they bought and returned – keeping the commission of course.
Which of course was the point of the purchase. One Jew was the buyer – his partner was a real estate attorney with a crew of contractors whose job it was to inspect the property AFTER the sale and invent costly defects.
The weary sellers usually took back the property and cut their losses rather than hire expensive [and possible Jewish] representation.
Again… everybody knew these two… yet nobody could alert the public because the paper was owned by Jews….. and charges of anti semitism can be highly damaging to any professional reputation.
…. on and on it goes…
America is Sobibor West – with a Jew in every watchtower.
I don’t buy the good Jew – bad Jew techniques proffered by the likes of the author above….
Jews know the score… they understand the game.
And yet they are alarmed and aghast each time they witness the evil of their brethren….. “WHO KNEW?”
YOU KNOW…. I KNOW….. THE GERMANS KNEW...and yet it continues….
So - I have become an unapologetic JEW HATER. -- that's right -- every single one of you.
It's much easier on the soul. I don’t want to hear your ‘reasoned debate’ on the subject of Jews judged as individuals....That's the intellectual alps - for gentile saps.
I’m rootin for Islam.
THIS TIME – REAL OVENS.
Chavurah, A gequnt ahf dir butneverthe the less your head thinks life a shittim.