In the several months since the onset of the "Arab Spring" we have watched as presidents and prime-ministers lauded this so-called revolution as a fait accompli of democratic metamorphosis. Leaders like President Obama waited and watched just long enough to place an additional hand to the back of despots who were being pushed into the abyss of "change" and then springing onto the bandwagon of the new regimes as if these regimes were the 2nd Continental Congress of 1776 ratifying the Articles of Confederation. Jumping into the fray with "rockets red glare, bombs bursting in air," Mr. Obama even trumpeted a non-war against the Libyan dictator to prove his support for "change" to the world and align himself staunchly with the Arab "springers."
But, what have we seen in the weeks since all the soliloquy and gleeful rhetoric began? What direction has this metamorphosis taken? In Egypt, we have witnessed the expulsion of an autocrat only to be replaced by a military junta just as despotic and which has aligned itself with the radical Muslim Brotherhood for political expediency. These passionate "lovers of democracy" have brokered an agreement between the PLO and the Hamas, and shown support for the Hamas, a terrorist organization with absolutely no democratic foundation and clearly no vision for one. They have allowed Christian Copts to be murdered by the dozens, opened the Egyptian border with Gaza and allowed a massive Al Qaeda presence to arise in the Sinai. They have acquiesced to Iran, allowing its war ships to traverse the Suez Canal for the first time in decades, have threatened to end the 32-year old Egypt-Israeli peace agreement and have scheduled a farcical shut-down of natural gas sales to Israel. This is the same "democracy" that our current administration has pledged 1 billion US taxpayer dollars to support! And that is just Egypt! Time does not allow us to develop the remaining Kafkaesque scenarios in Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, Syria and the like...but, so far the "Arab Spring" is transitioning into summer with no signs of democracy on the horizon.
"Give it time - don't be so negative," says the ever-engaging idealist. After all, no democracy was born in a day. Well, my friends, the chances that true liberty and any semblance of democracy will ever be birthed in this region of the world are slim and none...and the proverbial slim left the region long ago. When the "masses" in the Arab world finally realize that there is no difference between what is and what was, the real revolution will begin. We have all heard the saying that "nature abhors a vacuum." Well, in this region of the world, "human nature" abhors a vacuum...and the vacuum that this "Arab Spring" will become will soon be filled - one can be sure of that.
Although I pray earnestly that I am wrong, I truly believe the end-product of this evacuation will be worse than anyone could ever imagine. There is no doubt in my mind that radical Islam will jump on this movement's back and its leaders will take the reigns. The precedence has been set and the path is paved. The road will lead to chaos and radical Islam will be the congealing force that "calms" the masses into a frenzy of unified hatred and which will spread through the region like hegemonic butter over hot toast. Once this occurs, what will follow will be a true "revolution" the likes of which we have never seen.
As much as President Obama and his ilk have submitted to the illusive concept of democratic change, the Arab world has rejected him even harder. As often as he has attempted to castigate and marginalize Israel, the only real democracy in the Middle East, in favor of a hand that reaches out to Islam, that hand has been slapped away dismissively time and time again. What Obama HAS accomplished with his new Middle East policy is to empower the delusional anti-Israel hatred all the more. And, what of Islam's "new" American friend? Well, the anti-American vitriol has not diminished, it has been energized. Why? Because, all that is democratic to the radical Islamist is "Satan's ploy" to westernize, AKA poison, the realm of Islam...and that is one thing that will never be allowed. My friends, change is coming alright...but, as we might say in Georgia, 'taint nothin' what ya thought. It may be springtime in the Arab Middle East, but there's a storm brewing on the horizon...and it's a doozy!
Adel Al-Toraifi, editor-in-chief of the Arab magazine Al-Majalla, published an op-ed in the Islamic London daily newspaper Al-Sharq Al-Awsat [1] that, coming from an Arab Muslim intellect, was quite revealing. He focuses much on the lack of influential "Founding Fathers" of this new regional movement and questions whether there really is an "Arab Spring." Al Toraifi asks the question, "Is there truly an 'Arab Spring,' or is there in fact a conflict internally against the authorities, and externally between the countries that we consider influential in the regional balance of power?" He goes on to better define the 'change' as no change at all: "However, the plain truth is that we are not facing a genuine change in the ideas or characters of the region, in what has been termed the 'Arab Spring.' There are no 'Founding Fathers,' nor is there an intellectual or cultural elite with a realistic project to change the ruling regime, raise the political awareness of the masses, or achieve the desired regional balance of power." Listening to what he and other voices of reason in the Arab world are saying will help temper anyone's dreams that what is happening in the Middle East is a stepping stone to a more peaceful and democratic Arab world.
What Al-Toraifi does not do in his article is to predict who or what might fill the void. My interpretation: YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW!
[1] Al-Sharq Al-Awsat (London), May 19, 2011.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
A Cup of Trembling - A City of Gold
Today Israelis celebrate Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day) to commemorate the liberation of the physical and spiritual center of the Jewish people. 44 years ago based on the Jewish calender, the Israel Defense Forces freed Jerusalem from Gentile control for the first time in over 2500 years.
This day is more than a mere commemoration of a military or political victory. And, it is much more than a celebration of a symbolic accomplishment for the Jewish people. It is the fulfillment of 2500 years of struggle against tyranny, persecution and exile. As far back as the days of Moses, the Babylonian captivity and the Roman pogroms, Jews have been repeating the mantra: "Next year in Jerusalem!"
Even as Jews began entering back into the Holy Land during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the chant continued. For those who survived the Nazi Holocaust, it was the refrain that led them to their next breath. For the six million who didn't survive, it was often the hymn that led them to their last breath. And, after the miracle of Israeli National Rebirth in 1948, it became the chorus of the new Israel.
On the 28th day of Iyar, June 7th, 1967 on the Gregorian calendar, "Next Year" become "Today in Jerusalem!" The prophets of the Tanach spoke often about Jerusalem. Zechariah foretold of the significance of the City of Gold:
This day is more than a mere commemoration of a military or political victory. And, it is much more than a celebration of a symbolic accomplishment for the Jewish people. It is the fulfillment of 2500 years of struggle against tyranny, persecution and exile. As far back as the days of Moses, the Babylonian captivity and the Roman pogroms, Jews have been repeating the mantra: "Next year in Jerusalem!"
Even as Jews began entering back into the Holy Land during the late 1800s and early 1900s, the chant continued. For those who survived the Nazi Holocaust, it was the refrain that led them to their next breath. For the six million who didn't survive, it was often the hymn that led them to their last breath. And, after the miracle of Israeli National Rebirth in 1948, it became the chorus of the new Israel.
On the 28th day of Iyar, June 7th, 1967 on the Gregorian calendar, "Next Year" become "Today in Jerusalem!" The prophets of the Tanach spoke often about Jerusalem. Zechariah foretold of the significance of the City of Gold:
Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
Today, Jerusalem is indeed a "cup of trembling unto all the people round about." In fact the entire world has had its attention drawn to Jerusalem time and time again - but in no generation has it been a more central focus of scrutiny by more people than it is at this point in history. And it will without any doubt continue to be.
To Jews and Gentile believers in the God of the Bible, Jerusalem is THE Holy City. Let us indeed follow the admonition of the Psalmist as he said:
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem;
May those who love you prosper."
Psalm 122:6
Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day Musings: America, Israel and The Sanctity of Life
Today is one of the most important days on the American calender. It is on this day yearly that we memorialize those who have heroically given their lives for our nation. Yes, it's true that over the years, this day has become a day of baseball, hot dogs and mom's apple pie - a day that celebrates what is core, what is good in America. Nevertheless, no matter how we spend our day, there is no question that most of us retain the sense of what this day means in one form or another.
In defense of our nation, in defense of our values and of our friends and allies, Americans have given their lives by the thousands over the course of our history...not to mention the hundreds of thousands who have been injured and were delivered from death by the grace of G-d; and the millions who have put themselves in harm's way.
I was pondering this morning whether or not to write anything about this special day. After all, what does it have to do with Israel and with the purpose of this particular blog?
Then it hit me. With absolutely no intention of taking away the remarkable significance of this day to us as Americans, nor to minimize the sacrifices that have been made on our behalf...something very crucial became apparent to me. How many American lives have been lost in active wars involving America's most staunch and vital ally in the Middle East - Israel? How much American blood has been spilled and how many Americans have been put in harms way defending one of our most important Democratic partners in the world?
Unlike Iraq, Afghanistan, Yugoslavia, Viet Nam, Korea none of whom were as strong or as important an ally as Israel has been, American soldiers have never sacrificed their lives in defense of the Jewish Nation. Despite the fact that the there have been multiple wars of aggression against Israel where odds were skewed enormously against the nation that is no larger than the State of New Jersey, by armies up to 100 times the numbers of the Israeli Defense Forces, no American soldier has been called upon to aid - even in times of potential annihilation.
This is a remarkable fact. But, so what? Today is America's Memorial Day, not Israel's. Why is this significant?
Today, there are calls by some sincere and well-meaning Americans and also a minority who are clearly anti-Zionist to reduce or discontinue any financial support for Israel's defense. There is a logical basis for this by those well-meaning individuals. After all, our own financial woes and budgetary issues here in the U.S. are mounting by the second. To those anti-Zionists, their irrational antisemitic stance is fed by any and all reasons they may conjure up, delusional and otherwise - so my repartee is not with them. But, for those who are cogitating over why it should be in America's interest to support Israel's defense financially, I have several contemplative retorts.
Firstly, it is not a well known fact and rarely does it enter into the argument, but EVERY DOLLAR that America gives to Israel for Israel's defense is spent by Israel to purchase AMERICAN defense products and technology. It is written into the distributive budget by Congress and is an absolute stipulation for the support to be given that Israel use it only for purchasing from U.S. companies. Further, none of the purchases that Israel makes is at a discounted price - Israel pays a premium for these American-made products. So every penny that Israel receives goes right back into the U.S. economy. This is not true for the hundreds of millions of dollars of support yearly that goes to the Palestinian Authority and the billions of dollars of support earmarked for the new "Democracies" of the Arab world.
Secondly, and more importantly, a question begs to be asked: how much "money" is a human life worth? Although admittedly very difficult to calculate in definitive terms, through its various counter-terrorist and intelligence activities - well known to be of the most advanced and accurate in the world - Israel has undoubtedly saved countless AMERICAN lives, both military and civilian through prevention. Israel, because of its proximity to terrorist bases and out of necessity for self-preservation, has not only stifled numerous attempts at terrorist infiltration into its own country, but has contributed greatly to the overall success of the world-wide anti-terrorism efforts.
Thirdly, Israel, as a result of having developed the premier DEFENSIVE military capability in the world (necessitated by the continuous state of threat it lives under) and by the Grace of the Almighty, has been able to defend itself, BY ITSELF, without the risk of the blood of its allies. Even at its most grave moments of near-eradication, viz a vie the wars of 1967 and 1973, not one member of another nation's defense force was lost. Now, let's think about that. I challenge anyone to recollect a war of defense where a nation, who had a number of close and powerful allies and was on the brink of potential annihilation, did not receive the assistance of those allies or at the very least BEG for assistance, including "boots on the ground."
Finally, why do we in America believe it so important to memorialize those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for others? The answer is actually quite simple. Unlike many other cultures, what informs the American mind-set more than any other perspective is a Judeo-Christian foundation - the foundation that built this nation upon the principles of liberty and the sanctity and vitality of life. There is a famous Talmudic expression that many are familiar with and it goes something like this:
It is this foundation that America and Israel share in common. It is what both nations are built upon, which is in stark contrast with some of today's most heinous regimes. The Hamas, for example, whose leadership has repeated its self-acclaimed duty to motivate an unending passion for conflict and continual suicide attacks, has a well know ritualized mantra: "As much as the Jews and Christians love life [is] as much as we (the Muslim) love death."
So, today we commemorate our country's fallen heroes, those who have given their lives with dignity in defense of our nation, our values and for peoples throughout the world. We also zealously celebrate the lives that where not placed in harm's way - the countless American lives that we will never have to mourn like we do those who have sacrificed prematurely. And, we also celebrate the very values that our heroes so desperately fought for and that we so desperately live for - on this most solemn and important American holiday.
In defense of our nation, in defense of our values and of our friends and allies, Americans have given their lives by the thousands over the course of our history...not to mention the hundreds of thousands who have been injured and were delivered from death by the grace of G-d; and the millions who have put themselves in harm's way.
I was pondering this morning whether or not to write anything about this special day. After all, what does it have to do with Israel and with the purpose of this particular blog?
Then it hit me. With absolutely no intention of taking away the remarkable significance of this day to us as Americans, nor to minimize the sacrifices that have been made on our behalf...something very crucial became apparent to me. How many American lives have been lost in active wars involving America's most staunch and vital ally in the Middle East - Israel? How much American blood has been spilled and how many Americans have been put in harms way defending one of our most important Democratic partners in the world?
Unlike Iraq, Afghanistan, Yugoslavia, Viet Nam, Korea none of whom were as strong or as important an ally as Israel has been, American soldiers have never sacrificed their lives in defense of the Jewish Nation. Despite the fact that the there have been multiple wars of aggression against Israel where odds were skewed enormously against the nation that is no larger than the State of New Jersey, by armies up to 100 times the numbers of the Israeli Defense Forces, no American soldier has been called upon to aid - even in times of potential annihilation.
This is a remarkable fact. But, so what? Today is America's Memorial Day, not Israel's. Why is this significant?
Today, there are calls by some sincere and well-meaning Americans and also a minority who are clearly anti-Zionist to reduce or discontinue any financial support for Israel's defense. There is a logical basis for this by those well-meaning individuals. After all, our own financial woes and budgetary issues here in the U.S. are mounting by the second. To those anti-Zionists, their irrational antisemitic stance is fed by any and all reasons they may conjure up, delusional and otherwise - so my repartee is not with them. But, for those who are cogitating over why it should be in America's interest to support Israel's defense financially, I have several contemplative retorts.
Firstly, it is not a well known fact and rarely does it enter into the argument, but EVERY DOLLAR that America gives to Israel for Israel's defense is spent by Israel to purchase AMERICAN defense products and technology. It is written into the distributive budget by Congress and is an absolute stipulation for the support to be given that Israel use it only for purchasing from U.S. companies. Further, none of the purchases that Israel makes is at a discounted price - Israel pays a premium for these American-made products. So every penny that Israel receives goes right back into the U.S. economy. This is not true for the hundreds of millions of dollars of support yearly that goes to the Palestinian Authority and the billions of dollars of support earmarked for the new "Democracies" of the Arab world.
Secondly, and more importantly, a question begs to be asked: how much "money" is a human life worth? Although admittedly very difficult to calculate in definitive terms, through its various counter-terrorist and intelligence activities - well known to be of the most advanced and accurate in the world - Israel has undoubtedly saved countless AMERICAN lives, both military and civilian through prevention. Israel, because of its proximity to terrorist bases and out of necessity for self-preservation, has not only stifled numerous attempts at terrorist infiltration into its own country, but has contributed greatly to the overall success of the world-wide anti-terrorism efforts.
Thirdly, Israel, as a result of having developed the premier DEFENSIVE military capability in the world (necessitated by the continuous state of threat it lives under) and by the Grace of the Almighty, has been able to defend itself, BY ITSELF, without the risk of the blood of its allies. Even at its most grave moments of near-eradication, viz a vie the wars of 1967 and 1973, not one member of another nation's defense force was lost. Now, let's think about that. I challenge anyone to recollect a war of defense where a nation, who had a number of close and powerful allies and was on the brink of potential annihilation, did not receive the assistance of those allies or at the very least BEG for assistance, including "boots on the ground."
Finally, why do we in America believe it so important to memorialize those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for others? The answer is actually quite simple. Unlike many other cultures, what informs the American mind-set more than any other perspective is a Judeo-Christian foundation - the foundation that built this nation upon the principles of liberty and the sanctity and vitality of life. There is a famous Talmudic expression that many are familiar with and it goes something like this:
"Whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world."
Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5; Babylonian Talmud Tractate Sanhedrin 37a
It is this foundation that America and Israel share in common. It is what both nations are built upon, which is in stark contrast with some of today's most heinous regimes. The Hamas, for example, whose leadership has repeated its self-acclaimed duty to motivate an unending passion for conflict and continual suicide attacks, has a well know ritualized mantra: "As much as the Jews and Christians love life [is] as much as we (the Muslim) love death."
So, today we commemorate our country's fallen heroes, those who have given their lives with dignity in defense of our nation, our values and for peoples throughout the world. We also zealously celebrate the lives that where not placed in harm's way - the countless American lives that we will never have to mourn like we do those who have sacrificed prematurely. And, we also celebrate the very values that our heroes so desperately fought for and that we so desperately live for - on this most solemn and important American holiday.
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