Supporting Israel

My lack of enthusiasm for this latest round of war between Israel and its neighbors should not be misunderstood as lack of solidarity with Israel.  On the other hand, when I read around the Jewish blogosphere, I am appalled at the level of triumphalism and hostility towards anyone who has had the temerity to question whether Israel's resopnse was disproportionate. 

I would not presume to tell Ehud Olmert how to handle this crisis.  He has better advisors than I.  I would tell him that I wish him and his family peace.  I would tell him to do what he can to secure the release of his young warriors.  I would tell him to do what he must to stop the rocket attacks against Israel.  And I'd tell him I've got his back.  I'd also tell him to stop punishing the people of Lebanon who are not supporting Hezbollah.  I would warn him that if Lebanon has no center, Israel would, in my opinion, be a much more dangerous place.   I would not tell him his job, however.

There were two pictures in Friday's papers.  One showed a young Israeli soldier in grief at the funeral of a friend.  The other showed a crowd of Syrian women demonstrating and screaming for war.  There are no demonstrations in Israel demanding war (American supporters of Israel take note). It was not Israel that broke the truce by sneaking across the border and kidnapping the enemy.  The difference in those two pictures only serves to reinforce my allegiance.  One of the parties in this conflict has shown a willingness to engage its opponents.  It is not the Palestinians or their neighbors.

I'd like to say that Olmert and Israel are in my prayers, but I don't believe in prayer, per se, but besides that, I wouldn't pray for Israel, I'd pray for peace.  Everyone over there would benefit from that.

Comments

[Crys]

there was a great political cartoon in the Trib last week:

a large man with the word Hezbollah on his shirt (or Hamas? or both) stood next to a lone jewish star on the floor next to him. next, he stomps the jewish star and in doing so, hurts his foot. he then points to the star and yells: AGGRESSOR!

perfect.

[brenda]

Amen!

[Jack]

I am appalled at the level of triumphalism and hostility towards anyone who has had the temerity to question whether Israel's resopnse was disproportionate.

Houston,

I can appreciate that. I can understand where you are coming from. I think that part of the problem is that there is a real feeling that Israel is held to different standards than the rest of the world.

This may not be the greatest analogy, but if I were gay I would imagine that I would be incensed that a man who beats his wife could be legally married and a gay man could not.

Part of it is tied into a history of persecution. I know too many stories of Jews being forced to just take it. Now it is different.

Anyway, your prayer for peace is well said, well met and most definitely needed.

I would be thrilled to wake up and hear that the fighting had stopped, but I don't expect it.

The video on my blog of the aftermath of suicide bombings is there because we need to remember who we are dealing with.

Here is my hope that our prayers for peace are answered.

[Baconeatingatheistjew]

I think that the term "disproportionate" has become the whine of every terrorist apologist and Jew hater on this planet right now. That is why you are seeing the reaction to the word by staunch Zionists like myself.
Those who use the term, usually, in fact always, are just trying to trash Israel.
I know this because no one who uses it, will state what they think Israel should do.

[Houston]

I don't have the luxury of taking sides in this fight. I am disproportionately sympathetic to Israel. When friends and family are being targeted by rockets the choice is made for you.

Once the rockets stop and Israel has stopped its campaign against Hezbollah, there'll be time enough for us all to argue whether or not Israel chose the most prudent response to the provocation.

First, the rockets must be stopped.

[jaye]

How disproportionate is some of the Arab world's desire to drive Israel into the sea for being Jewish?

If Palestine needs a homeland, I don't see Jordan--where they are really from--giving them one.

This shit is going to get way outta hand and we will be in Iran by September because Iran/Syria are funding the whole thing. But isn't that what Bush wanted?

Killing is wrong. But so is kidnapping--how many Americans are frustrated that Israel went after their kidnapped soldiers and America didn't--bombing children isn't too cool either. Israel has dropped leaflets to warn people of attacks, too.

But this tit for tat ain't going to stop this shit. I hate it when I agree with Bush's choice of words. If Israel does not defend herself, she is dead. Why elect Hamas,Hezzbullah, etc. when their existence is premised on destroying Israel.

Why doesn't the "Arab street" whatever the fuck that means take the big step and stop calling for Israel's death? (Is there a
"gay street," "female street," redneck street? I hate that fucking term because it makes reporters sound like they know what is going on instead of talking to two drunks in a bar.

I am better now that I have ranted.

[Crys]

what is the address for Gay Street. mommy likes to PARTY1

[Mark]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/71515268@N00/213697044/

Thought you'd like to see this, Houston. I took that at yesterday's rally in SF in support of Israel. Thanks.

[Edmond]

So incursions into Lebanese territories by Israeli special forces to 'arrest' 'suspected' terrorists is not a breach of peace but the real military wing of Lebanon kidnapping 2 military (MILITARY) personnel to trade for some of the 9,000+ prisoners Israel is holding (most without reason given) which has been done time and time before is a breach of peace. Tit for tat and neither side is right. The eastern Mediterranean coast should just be turned into glass. Remember who started this war, it was Israel who took the first offensive move by kidnapping innocent civilians. For example, they caught Nasrallah. Oh wait, but it was Nasrallah the grocer and his whole family. That only took 15 Lebanese deaths to figure out they had the wrong guy.

[Houston]

It's not my job to defend Israeli actions. I have no more control over them than I do over this country's actions.

I am pro-Israel without apology, however. That is reinforced each time Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, Syria, or some grand fucking mufti somewhere calls Jews apes, calls for the death of Jews and homosexuals, and refuses to differentiate between civilian and military targets.

Each time I see muslims dancing in the street over Jewish and/or American deaths, or calling for all Jews to be driven into the sea, that pro-Israeli stance is strengthened. Everytime I read about homosexuals being hanged and stoned by muslims, that pro-Israeli stance is strengthened.

Do I feel bad for the Lebanese? Sure. Sympathy is cheap, so why not? I feel bad for them for two reasons: one, they have Israel and Syria as neighbors, and two, more importantly, radical islamic elements, i.e., Hezbollah, with no sympathy or loyalty to Lebanon or the majority of its people, have been heavily armed by Iran and Syria and encouraged to harrass and attack Israel, knowing full well that their own losses will be disproportionate to the losses and suffering of the majority of Lebanese.

Israel is a democracy, and no democratic government, Israeli or otherwise, is going to stay in power if it does not respond vigorously to attacks on its citizens from another country.

I'd be more impressed by Israeli critics if they had been in the streets demanding that Hezbollah stop firing rockets at Israeli cities. If some of the more vociferous critics of Israel's "aggression" had spoken out against the targeting of civilians by Hezbollah, I'd think it more important to address their concerns. I'm waiting.