What is Israel doing? Israel is reacting, precisely the way that you and I would, if we faced a parallel situation. Later, I will explain Israel’s reactions. You and I, however, are not Israelis. What can we do, now?
As Americans, our instinct runs to questioning and criticizing – Israel, the Palestinians, the Arabs, and the Persians (Iranians). Analysis helps us understand better, but our goal should not be understanding, but peace. For peace, we need to push our country to become, again, the active mediator. Only America has enough power, economic and military, to broker a lasting peace. Our track record shows our capacity. When we intensely engaged in mediation, progress towards peace ensued. When we held back, conflict re-emerged. This conflict is not as complex as the pundits or the media claim. They make money, exaggerating complexity.
Our world is filled with factions who benefit, who profit, from ongoing violence between Israel and the Palestinians. Prime beneficiaries of conflict are: the leaders of Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria, plus many factions in Europe, America and Asia, plus many Israelis and Palestinians. They gain politically by distracting their public, to blame Israel (scapegoating) or to sympathize with the Palestinians. Other key beneficiaries are those who profit, through businesses, which profit from conflict.
Beneficiaries of peace, of two states living side by side in security (and eventual prosperity), start with most Israelis and most Palestinians, and include the world’s poor and the middle class, even in America.
Unlike the rest of the world, you and I have the power to create peace. We can push our government to intervene, to apply our diplomatic, economic and military resources. Our government has the power to push and pull Israel and the Palestinians towards peace. So far, we lack the will, but you and I can push our fellow citizens to support that will. Our leaders will follow. Peace fits their long term self-interest, too.
A most effective group, working for peace, was founded by Snohomish County resident Ron Young: an Interreligious Initiative for Peace (e-mail: usicpme@aol.com). The best analysts are the Israel Policy Forum (www.israelpolicyforum.org) and Americans for Peace Now (www.peacenow.org), especially the comments of Yossi Alpher. Both groups send weekly updates.
Now, let me explain what Israel is doing.
Imagine that your home and your community (Israel) suffer regular missile attacks, launched from nearby Canada (Hezbollah). The missile launchers declare their intention to kill all of you (“ending the occupation of Palestine” means destroying the Jewish state of Israel). Beyond missiles, they kidnap your cousins. Now, imagine that the Canadian government (Lebanon) has refused, for years, to stop missiles or disarm that group, despite a United Nations resolution. Add two very powerful nations, California and Nevada (Iran and Syria), who arm that group with missiles and more. Those nations threaten to attack you, and they (Iran) have missiles that can reach your home, and will soon possess nuclear weapons.
Please remember that Israel withdrew all of its troops from Southern Lebanon about five years ago. Also note that Israel targets its counter attacks to limit civilian casualties, although Hezbollah locates its bases in civilian neighborhoods (“human shields”).
Now, imagine groups from Oregon (Palestinians in Gaza) have also been sending missiles into your family’s villages for a year (since Israel withdrew, unilaterally, all of its troops and settlers from the Gaza Strip). Recently, they crossed the border to kill your cousins and kidnapped one of them. They also attack from behind human shields (civilian neighborhoods). They receive support from Oregon (Hamas, although some Hamas factions oppose the missiles and kidnapping), despite another aspect of Oregon’s government (the Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas), which opposes the missiles and border crossings.
If you had the military resources to counter both your northern and southern enemy, would you? You might be careful (as Israel is) to limit civilian suffering. You might leave open channels of diplomacy and negotiation, both in your public statements (to Abbas and to Lebanon) and by back door channels (to Hamas representatives), as well as seeking intermediaries (Egypt, the United States and the United Nations) to help resolve the conflict.
So, what is Israel doing? We call it self-defense. Wouldn’t you?
Harley Karz-Wagman is rabbi at Temple Beth Or in Everett.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
