Overcoming our Inhibitions
It is a truism (at least to me) that many liberal American Jews are uncomfortable with having power. Support for Israel in these trying times is frequently caveated with words like, "While it's important to support Israel, it's also important to remember our victims."
I admit to being torn myself. I cannot *not* weep for the destruction of a tzelem elohim, an image of God, particularly one in the form of an innocent child.
But let's be clear: This is not a moment for half-hearted support of Israel. This is a moment--particularly for those of us who supported disengagement--to loudly, publicly, and clearly support Israel and her right to use overwhelming force to restore the balance of power.
If you need convincing from the ranks of one of our own, take a look at this article in today's New York Times, which may be the most sympathetic piece of military coverage I have come across in the NYT. This is what it boils down to:
"What seems to be unfolding is an acid test of Israel’s recent strategy of seeking to extricate itself from conflict by building a barrier and generally going it alone, rather than negotiating with its adversaries. On two fronts, its antagonists have found a way to draw Israel back into the gyre. And the Israelis are again trying to extricate themselves — by making the fight even more painful than its enemies had thought it could be."
Yes, it sucks to be the ones dropping bombs and killing people. But you know what sucks more? To be occupying them for decades, and sending our own children to be corrupted by that cancer for a generation. This was the logic of disengagement, that Israel would retreat to internationally-recognized borders, and that when those borders were violated, the response would be immediate, swift, and ruthless. I would rather have these problems than the problems of the past.
Nevertheless, the present moment is scary, for the originating address of both Hamas and Hezbollah is Tehran. None of these guys obeys the normal rules of deterrence. So even as Israel inflicts unheard-of damage on Lebanon (and note how low the civilian death toll is considering the ferocity of the onslaught), you have to wonder what will come next. In the meantime, this is a moment to be a proud and loud Zionist.
I admit to being torn myself. I cannot *not* weep for the destruction of a tzelem elohim, an image of God, particularly one in the form of an innocent child.
But let's be clear: This is not a moment for half-hearted support of Israel. This is a moment--particularly for those of us who supported disengagement--to loudly, publicly, and clearly support Israel and her right to use overwhelming force to restore the balance of power.
If you need convincing from the ranks of one of our own, take a look at this article in today's New York Times, which may be the most sympathetic piece of military coverage I have come across in the NYT. This is what it boils down to:
"What seems to be unfolding is an acid test of Israel’s recent strategy of seeking to extricate itself from conflict by building a barrier and generally going it alone, rather than negotiating with its adversaries. On two fronts, its antagonists have found a way to draw Israel back into the gyre. And the Israelis are again trying to extricate themselves — by making the fight even more painful than its enemies had thought it could be."
Yes, it sucks to be the ones dropping bombs and killing people. But you know what sucks more? To be occupying them for decades, and sending our own children to be corrupted by that cancer for a generation. This was the logic of disengagement, that Israel would retreat to internationally-recognized borders, and that when those borders were violated, the response would be immediate, swift, and ruthless. I would rather have these problems than the problems of the past.
Nevertheless, the present moment is scary, for the originating address of both Hamas and Hezbollah is Tehran. None of these guys obeys the normal rules of deterrence. So even as Israel inflicts unheard-of damage on Lebanon (and note how low the civilian death toll is considering the ferocity of the onslaught), you have to wonder what will come next. In the meantime, this is a moment to be a proud and loud Zionist.
posted by Rabbi Josh Feigelson | 9:35 AM
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