Israel is in the news daily. Most of the time, negatively. Mentioned in a distracting lexicon, or being criticized, even when criticism has no place. We must not forget, no one is above international; law, but more often than not, Israel is below the international law.
I was watching the video of the recent demolition of one 13 illegal buildings Arabs built. I had to speak up because no one else is speaking up, as speaking up should be.
When Israel demolishes a Jewish home, mostly it appears as if she tries appeasing the world, making the point of appearing to be a law-abiding country. The world then claps hands, cheers on with warped satisfaction. When Israel demolishes an Arab structure, and for proper legal reasons, the world becomes almost hysterically enraged.
Israel’s explanation: the building was erected without obtaining planning permits, too close to the security barrier. Always an explanation with a tone of an apology attached to it.
Instead of saying the obvious: “Israel is a country of law. Building planning must be submitted and approved, and permits must be obtained. There is no room for any and illegal land encroachment. Any and all illegal construction actions will bear demolition consequences. Abide by the law or suffer the cost.” [End of explanation].
Yet, Israel is never able to take a position of strength of her just. Whatever the country does is likely to end up in an international borborygmus.
The latest episode of some Arab buildings’ demolition ended up no less, the UN halls of infamous. The US then blocked the UN draft condemning demolition of Arab AKA Palestinian homes. Is there any other country in the world that any action it takes, or what it does, is under microscope scrutiny? Internationally micromanaged? Obviously not.
The Security Council statement, pushed by Israel’s nemesis Kuwait, Indonesia, and South Africa, said that the move ‘undermines the viability of the two-state solution and the prospect for just and lasting peace.’
Why is it when the Arabs, AKA Palestinians, terrorize Jews, teach their children anti-Semitism and terror against Jews, or pay a terrorist who was successful in murdering a Jew an act a gratitude pension, and the list goes on, there is never a resolution condemning the Arabs, AKA Palestinians, whose behavior and actions undermine the viability of the two-state solution and the prospect for just and lasting peace?
They say that, at its minimum, Israel has no good public diplomacy strategy. They call it in Israel Hasbara, meaning an explanation mechanism for the country’s behavior and conduct. They say that Israelis possess chutzpa, meaning audacity, along with self-confidence and temerity that helped them these past 71 years to become a successful country. However, when it comes to speak up for the country and not only in its defense, rather go on the offense, as so often necessary, Israel and Israelis fail miserably.
I was born in Israel. I see this failure from the United States where I live. I also see it from Israel where I often visit. More so, being an activist for Israel and the Jewish people I get to be in the heart of what is not happening.
Sha Shtil mentality
The international disrespect for Israel’s sovereignty and the law of the land and Israel Supreme Court ruling is beyond reprehensible. Yet, Israel does not dare call them all out.
The ‘Sha-Shtil’ mentality, from which Jews suffered during their millennia in exile has followed them to Israel. The need to avoid confrontation, the need to excuse themselves with ‘we have the right to defend ourselves,’ as if anyone took this right away from them, the need to find love wherever it could be found and the rule to try the hardest not to step on anyone’s foot is the country’s Public Diplomacy’s tenet.
We already know that Israel is held to a standard no other country is held to. Yet, Israel has not been able to break through this mound.
What needs to be done?
Believing in oneself, in Israel just and implementing the law of the land is imperative and without any apology.
Change the attitude toward selves as Jews; to Judaism and to the State of Israel’s land. Change the way Israelis see reality and the national reflection. And keep the national heart healthy so that it does not distort the national thoughts.
Take control. Do not fight from behind.
Case in point: Andrew Bolt, an Australian conservative social and political commentator, currently a blogger and columnist at the Melbourne-based Herald Sun and the host of Sky News television The Bolt Report show each night, says there are people in Australia, helped by the ABC, in ‘absolute denial’ about Hamas wanting ‘blood’, and not wanting peace.
How come Israel has not yet convinced the world of this obvious? How come Israel has to constantly repeat what Hamas is all about while this terror enclave has been terrorizing Israel to the high-cost tune of difficult to estimate dollars in lives and property? And no solution in sight.
They say that Jews are the canary in the coal mine for humanity; what starts with the Jews does not end with the Jews. However, right now it appears that Israel is the only one fluttering in the coal mine and it has not found the way out of its own trap.
