I write this diary as an open letter to everyone here, anyone who loves Israel, and hopefully people in Israel.
As an American Jew, I love two countries. My home is America, my family is now in it's 5th generation as an American family. My father served in the U.S. Army and had I not problems with my right eye I would have done R.O.T.C. in college. My wife is American, my kids are American and their kids I have no doubt will be American. I lived overseas for a year in Israel and studied at Hebrew U. in Jerusalem. Even durning the early 80's I proudly traveled with an American flag stitched on my backpack when others pretended to be Canadian. I fully expect to finish out my life as an American and am damn proud of it. I truly love my country and would gladly give my life for it.
As a Jew, I love Israel. I am proud of Israel, because I am a Jew, Israel is a country that means the world to me. I am re-learning the language, and re-immersing myself in Israeli culture. When I see the Magen David (Star of David) flying on a flag I am always thrilled. I donate to Israel, and should I be needed there, I would go and help. The Ha'tikvah ("The hope" in English), the National Anthem gives me a thrill of pride when I hear it. I cannot imagine a world without Israel and I would do anything to make sure that never happens.
This diary is not what you think it is.. It is not a call to destroy Israel, it is a call to save Israel. I simply cannot see any other way at this point than the way I am going to discuss here.
Where did the idea for this diary come from... Well I was reading the Israeli main dailies tonight Ynet and Haaretz and the the enormity of what Israel is facing as a nation hit me like a brick. Then I read an Op-Ed from Yair Lapid and that hit me like a brick because while I don't agree with everything he says (though I am not Israeli so it is not my place to judge), he is right that people have to decide who and what they are. My opinion like Lapid's is that it is time. For good or bad, for honesty's sake it's time. So here is my take.
First off, I want to re-quote something I used in my last diary. This was a challenge from Jeremy Ben-Ami, the head of J Street and then Haaretz columnist Bradley Burstonthat said: Israel can be Two of the following three things. Only Two, not all Three - what do you choose:
1. Israel can be a Democracy
2. Israel can be a Jewish State
3. Israel can be a country from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River.
That's it.. Bottom Line. What do you choose? Well, I choose Option 1 and Option 2. Which means what? End the Occupation. And as an American who proudly gives a small portion of his tax money (something on the order of $ 20.00 per year probably), and as a Jew - I get to say something. And this is just my opinion for all $ .02 that it is worth.
Ending the Occupation of most of the territory taken in the 1967 Six Day War is the right thing to do from so many different perspectives. But honestly it is the right thing to do from a human perspective. The people living in the occupied territories don't want Israel there. They don't like Israel, and no matter what Israel did or didn't do they will not like Israel. They really don't want Israel to exist at all, but, well.. pardon my language but that is tough shit and too bad for them. I say let the people in the territories figure out what they want, it's not up to me to decide for them.
Ok so with that said, what about Jerusalem - I think the right thing to do is split it. The Israelis keep Judaism's holiest site The Western Wall, AND the Jewish Quarter that was part of the Jewish presence in Jerusalem for thousands of years until the Jordanians decided to get rid of the Jews there in 1948. As for the neighborhoods around Jerusalem, I say keep them BUT stop building more and stop encroaching on Arab areas like Silwan and Sheikh Jarrah.
Jerusalem is a holy city to the Arabs, both Christian and Muslim, we as Jews need to respect that even though when Jordan controlled the City they did not respect our people or history. But that really doesn't matter, Israel is not Jordan nor anyone else but Israel. Doing the right thing is important. How did we as Jews feel when our access or sovereignty over the Kotel was taken? They pretty much feel the same way.
What about the Settlers you ask particularly in places like Ariel and Hebron? Relocate them inside the new borders, whatever they get negotiated too. If they are not negotiated create defensible borders (yep unilateralism there) and relocate them. Israel has a State, give the Palestinians a chance as well. If the Settlers want to stay in their areas.. fine, let them. But if they can't respect the borders of Israel, then let them deal with the Palestinian government. Their choice. Personally, I think they will suddenly find that living in Israel has it's advantages and they will elect relocation.
Frankly, this article pissed me off.. The Settlers are pissed at PM Netanyahu because of lack of new building permits. Here is a guy that has accelerated their presence in the West Bank more than anyone else and they are pissed at him... Screw them. Netanyahu has bowed to their little right wing fantasies on almost every occasion and this is how they say thanks. The average Israeli has every reason to not like PM Netanyahu and half way through his administration he is floundering at a critical time in history. But the Right Wing,... the guy does everything to help them and this is what he gets? I don't say this out of pity for PM Netanyahu, I say this out of disgust with people who don't when enough is enough. The Yesha council makes it pretty clear that they don't give a crap about how many young men and women have to fight and die for them or what kind of problems they cause for Israel. All they care about is taking more and more.
And let's talk economics here because that is what prompted this whole thing. This project has cost Israel over $ 50 billion NIS (Almost $ 15 billion) and climbing. This article from 2007 discusses some of this in depth and the numbers have gotten worse. Israel's economy is suffering under Netanyahu's failed policies. Gas prices are through the roof, the infrastructure on Energy is simply not there, the IDF has been lax on training (though that has improved since the Lebanon fiasco of 2006) and social programs (which Israel has been a beacon for including education) suffer greatly.
Three glaring problems stood out and prompted this article/letter. The first is that because of expenditures Israel's energy systems lack the needed development. Right now it has ONE source of Natural Gas. The other source (Egypt) has been closed. Today, that one source of Gas was interrupted. Israel's power plants did not have energy for four hours today. Think on that for a minute. No power. That source is fixed now but if Egypt does not come back (though the Egyptians promised it would), that source is out in 2012. Had it not been for the all the wasted money (and continued waste) perhaps other energy options could have been developed.
Then there is education. Israel used to be a leader in the field and it's Universities are top rate still. That's all fine and good but their pre-University education has dropped off the map. How do you run a society that NEEDS brain power because it lacks natural resources without a strong education program. Just think of the money that could have gone into that aspect of things.
Finally there is social welfare. Social workers live near poverty and are going on Strike. That will in effect suspend the entire welfare network for the State. Many here are not familiar with Israel but as a nation they take good care of their citizenry. Shut down that network and there are a lot of people that will suffer. BUT.. money to go build more Yeshiva's and Settlements keeps going unabated. The IDF gets sent in to protect and defend people who are not only poor neighbors to the local Arab villages but serve to agitate the local populace which does what... suck up more resources.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I have family in Israel. They lived and fought, and helped found the State. Why the hell should all that be put to risk so some biblical promise can be fulfilled to the letter? Israel was founded, it is strong, it will be stronger without the constant drain on it. As a Jew, Israel is important for not only what it stands for but what it means to my children. No more can a Hitler come somewhere in the world and when the Jews flee, find the borders shut to them. They have a place. Risking it because 500 people want to live near the Cave of the Patriarchs is ridiculous and sad.
So I ask... negotiate from a position of strength, but negotiate. STOP wasting money on settlements you may have to abandon. Make the Palestinians a fair deal, and if they refuse, well.... then figure another way. BUT... end the Occupation and save your country. Please.