Does Israel Have the Right to Exist? Should it?

Written November 21, 2009

Over 61 years ago Israel declared its independence. Jews everywhere around the world celebrated. The Holocaust had ended just a few years earlier, and Jews understood the significance of Israel as both a return to our historical homeland, and a sanctuary against a frightening and evil world. Vast amounts of money were raised for Israel by Jews throughout the Diaspora. (For my non-Jewish friends, the Diaspora is simply all Jews who reside outside of Israel.)

Fast forward to today - less than an average lifetime later. The legitimacy of Israel's right to exist is under attack from all corners.

1. Iran. Still the biggest threat to Israel's physical existence. A denier of the Holocaust, it frequently threatens to wipe Israel off the map. It has refused the offer of the Five (permanent members of the Security Council) plus One (Germany) to have its nuclear material reprocessed to civilian use levels in Europe before being returned to Iran. At a recent meeting of diplomats from the 5 + 1 they expressed "disappointment" over Iran's refusal of the offer. Did further sanctions come up? No. Instead, they "urged" Iran to reconsider. Well, that should definitely work! (From the 11/20/09 Jerusalem Post Online.)

Earlier this month, Israel seized a ship with over 300 tons of weapons and over 3000 rockets. The ship departed Iran on its way to Syria, with Israel suspecting the materiel was headed ultimately for Hezbollah. (From the 11/13/09 Jewish Press.) And where is the world outcry over this threat to Israel's existence? Where indeed! (And see more on this below.)

And now, Iran is going to have 5 days of military exercises in which their air force will be practicing a defense against any potential air strikes on their nuclear facilities.

2. The UN (Unconscionable Nations). First, we have the Goldstone Report (previously discussed in this column) threatening to prosecute Israeli civilian leaders and military personnel for alleged war crimes over Operation Cast Lead (the last war with Hamas).

Second, the Unconscionable Nations are completely silent over Iran exporting arms (see above) in violation of a UN resolution. The Unconscionable Nations are completely silent over Hezbollah's refusal to disarm; again, contrary to UN resolutions. UN resolution 1701 also forbids "armed personnel, assets and weapons" in the region south of the Litani River (southern Lebanon, which borders Israel). Yet, in July of this year there was a "massive explosion" in that area which revealed what? A large weapons cache controlled by Hezbollah. And what does the Unconscionable Nations have to say? Hello? Anybody? (From the 11/09/09 Investor's Business Daily.)

Third, we have the threat by Abbas and the Palestinian Authority to ask the Unconscionable Nations to recognize a state of "Palestine" in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. How did we get to this point? Well, our President (who is so smart, right?) told the "palestinians" and the world that all Israeli towns in the "occupied" territories are "illegal settlements;" and that no further construction should be permitted.

So, let's be clear about what our "brilliant" President has done. He has accepted the "palestinian" propaganda that the territories are "occupied" land. He has accepted their propaganda that all Israelis living in those areas are in "illegal settlements." So, Obama having announced in advance what the outcome should be, the PA felt comfortable saying no more negotiations until all construction stops - even in Jerusalem, Israel's capital. The O. team then realized that, politically, Israel could not forbid construction in their own capital. But it was too late. Expectations were raised (stupidly, not brilliantly) and now Abbas won't budge.

So would the General Assembly and/or Security Council of the Unconscionable Nations approve a resolution establishing a "palestinian" state on Israeli land? Well, I wonder how the 57 muslim countries would vote. I wonder how all the dictators of the world, who despise democracies like the US and Israel, would vote. And the 5 permanent members of the Security Council? It's a pretty safe bet that Russia and China would vote against Israel. France and England? As anti-semitic as ever. So that leaves the US; or more accurately, Obama. According to Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad (Abbas is the PA President) the Obama administration is not opposed to the plan! (Fayyad comment from the 11/13/09 Jewish Press.)

3. Liberal Jews. Sadly, there is no longer an almost universal appreciation of the significance of Israel to Jews. The strongest support comes from the Orthodox, a minority in the Jewish community. Many liberal Jews have actual disdain for the Orthodox, and for the State of Israel, and for Israel's supporters.

The Hillel at UC Berkeley actually had a dance party on Yom Hashoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day); and a Cinco de Mayo celebration on Israel's Remembrance Day for their fallen soldiers. The Hillel at UC Berkeley also works hand in hand with Students for Justice for Palestine (SJP), a radical group that supports unlimited arab immigration into Israel. They also support UC divestiture from Israel (and apparently companies that do business with Israel). (From the 11/19/09 Jerusalem Post Online, article by Caroline Glick.)

Worse yet, the ADL (Anti-Defamation League), considered a mainstream Jewish organization, has just blasted conservative supporters of Israel. And who did they target for their attack? Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and Mark Levin. Levin is the only Jew in the group. Yet, these men CONSISTENTLY support Israel on their radio and TV shows. And what do they get for that support? They get to be told that they are "cultivating a climate of hatred and paranoia which could endanger Jews among others." And Beck is called the "fearmonger in chief." (From the same Caroline Glick article cited above.)

So, sadly, many mainstream Jewish organizations in this country have moved to the far left along with the mainstream media. But sadder to see that Jews will not stand up for themselves, nor appreciate those non-Jews who will stand up for them. Rather, liberal Jews have accepted the "palestinian" propaganda and adopted it as their own. So now we have Jews attacking Israel and Christian supporters of Israel.

So, does Israel have a right to exist? This question is not even posed about any other country in the world, no matter how evil. Can Israel continue to exist when Jews will not speak on her behalf? "If I am not for myself, who will be? If not now, when?"