Israel has blocked every international effort to follow up on the UN plan to carve a contiguous, autonomous Palestinian state from the French Mandate, and continues to build settlements illegally to finesse Palestinian territories into an imaginary Greater Israel. Ms. Neuwirth's response? She is offended that the Quartet is pressuring Israel to withdraw over 450,000 illegal Israeli residents from lands that were never granted to Israel. Can anyone imagine why the Palestinians are frustrated?
Then look at the proliferation of Israel's Apartheid Walls, massive structures that often separate Palestinian villagers from the fields and groves they cultivate for a living, and which often preclude transportation of water and other resources necessary to agriculture. And count the Israeli checkpoints, frequently closed for days, which must be crossed by Palestinians seeking medical care. Anybody still wonder why the Palestinians seem so frustrated?
Soon, Ms. Neuwirth turns to the "relentless pressure" on Israel to implement the Road Map, which would require Israel to "withdraw...to its June 4, 1967 borders," to "end all construction of Jewish housing outside the 1967 borders," and to "withdraw security checkpoints" which harass Palestinians daily and cripple their economy. (Imagine that! Require Israel to comply with the more than 30 critical Resolutions of the UN, which chartered Israel in 1948!)
Neuwirth's final plea is to Jews whose self-doubt leads them to sympathize, e.g., with Palestinians' refusal to accept deportation, systematic genocide and ethnic cleansing. As she puts it, "[S]o many of us have lost faith in the righteousness of our own struggle for survival..." that some "Jews have actively taken sides with the enemy." She calls these folks "Jewish haters of Zion."
Truly, these (and myriad other) wretched arguments and self-serving rationalizations for Israel's territorial and human rights violations are more to be pitied than scorned, reminding any objective observer of playground whining and pre-adolescent posturing more than competent diplomatic communication. Perhaps, after 60 years, Israel could outgrow this ineffective modality and mend its problems with a new approach that doesn't require exterminating Arabs and subjugating Jews to this pathetic and tired rhetoric, so reminiscent of the exhortations from Israel Bond dinners of the '50s and '60s?
Israel is a theocratic state with some democratic forms. Many life-long Israelis can not vote, hold Knesset positions, become mayors or even teach, because of their religion. The Chief Rabbinate can still overrule laws passed by the Knesset. Becoming a true democracy would add tremendously to Israel's international appeal as a place to build a life. It would also diminish greatly the opportunity some Arab politicians and Islamic clergy have used to criticize Israel. In fact, it would strengthen Israel internally and externally.
But as long as only Orthodox Jews can hold most public offices, as long as even Conservative and Reform Jews must subvert their religious beliefs to the orthodoxy of the Chief Rabbinate, as long as indigenous non-Jews can be denied citizenship, rights and due process, as long as Israel systematically represses Palestinians--who long for nothing more than a homeland such as Israel offers both Israeli and diaspora Jews--Israel will remain weaker than it need be.
Greater strength and resilience would result from Israel's compliance with the over 30 critical UN Resolutions and the correction of its human rights violations. Full compliance would also encourage other nations to negotiate the mutual defense treaties that Israel so desperately requires to be truly stable and democratic.
As other states in the neighborhood realize that Israel has abandoned its territorial ambitions, renounced its occupation of lands in the Golan Heights, Gaza and the West Bank, and Sinai, and demonstrated a willingness to engage in balanced treaties regarding water, minerals, trade, mutual assistance, borders and defense collaboration, any hostile ambitions of Israel's neighboring states (and indeed, any international support they might have expected for military adventures) will dry up, leaving Israel stronger and more respected than ever.
And that is what will renew Israel's initial promise, Ms. Neuwirth. That is what will attract new immigrants and slow the attrition of bright, young Israelis who now see no hope in the failed policies of either Labor or Likud. And that will be the best protection possible against any enemies, foreign or domestic, current or future. Shalom.
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