170804
4th
August 2017
Shabbat
Shalom dear friends. How are you? How is life treating you? How many moral
conundrums have you faced this week?
Israel,
each and every one of us, has been faced with a moral conundrum that has the
entire country both fascinated and confused. Our soldiers are meant to protect
us from harm. Every single day of their service they have to make enormous decisions
whether to shoot or withdraw, whether to help of they see danger – however well
trained one is the ability to make the right decision is difficult enough but
here in Israel in tandem with the military issue we insist upon weighing the
moral decision too.
Elor
Azaria
was 19 years old. He was on patrol when he heard shots fired and shouting from
his post. Running back he saw a man lying on the ground and learned from his
mates that it was a terrorist who had stabbed his friend. He claimed that the
man moved toward what he believed to be an explosive device and he shot and
killed a man who had already been neutralized. His reasoning – this man had
stabbed his friend with the intention of killing a soldier. Both of his
officers involved, who were present at the incident, claimed that he had lied
and expressed a desire to kill the terrorist whatever the rules.
What in
many countries may seem a logical explanation is not acceptable in Israel (nor
in the UK incidentally). The Elor family chose to take the issue well beyond the
original military tribunal, rejecting the IDF lawyers presented to them, and
took a private lawyer – a shark. The agony for the family, for the IDF and
primarily for the country has presented the deep moral conundrum I spoke of at
the beginning.
Should
we support the actions of our soldiers when they are faced with a terror attack?
Yes of course but not if they flout clear IDF directives as Azaria did in this
case. Never to shoot a neutralized prisoner.
Should
it have become a public issue when it could have been dealt with by the
original military tribunal? No of course not.
Should
Azaria have expressed regret for his actions before the military court? Yes,
absolutely yes and he didn't.
The
outcome currently depends upon the decision of the Chief of Staff who may
decide that Azaria has served enough of his sentence – or that Azaria should
serve out his sentence in a military "service" position. We will see.
The
country is once again in turmoil concerning corruption charges against a Prime
Minister - this time Benjamin
Netanyahu. The charges are not about a few thousand dollars campaign
contributions, it is apparently far more serious than that. The PM's lawyer,
campaign manager and his right hand man have both turned States witness. They
say what goes around comes around.
Jared
Kushner,
President Trumps advisor on Middle Eastern Affairs has actually admitted what
we have known for a very long time. There is no solution to the
Palestinian/Israel "problem". He doesn't place the blame on either
side but I do. All the American, British, European leaders, but predominantly
American, have given in to the demands of the PA because they know that Israel
is on their side whatever. Israelis don't want to prevent anyone from visiting
their religious sites, indeed we protect that right, but equally we want the
same rights accorded to us.
Actually
there is a solution but I am not sure anyone is willing to chance it. Just stop
the money!! Since the PA leaders have either taken the aid to line their own
pockets or given it to the families of those brave and valiant men and women
who gave up their lives for Allah on condition they took some Jews with them.
Hence nothing in the kitty!! If the money stops coming in then they are
finished, the trouble is that here to is a conundrum – the fat cats at the top
will still have food and the people will starve. Alternatively, stop the money
to UNWRA. UNWRA is the biggest employer in the PA and Gaza and they are also
responsible for most of the terror!!
I would
start with education. http://www.impact-se.org/reports/
This
week I found that I was curious as to how many terror attacks are avoided
throughout the world through the diligence of our police, secret service and
military. Curious – how many terror attacks have been avoided through thorough
police work around the globe? Britain is the most open about her statistics.
23,000 avoided and counting written by the excellent Denis MacEoin https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/10723/uk-terrorists 260 killed and 368 wounded in the USA from
terror attacks; just this week another attacks was foiled in Australia – can you
imagine the number in Europe, India, Pakistan, Russia…… and none of the
perpetrators are Israeli – we keep that for ourselves!!!! https://storymaps.esri.com/stories/terrorist-attacks/?year=2017
Did you
know that 11 Arab States and another 6 Moslem States ban Israeli passports? I
didn't although suspected it. Then Tom Carew put it on Facebook. You know me, I
have to check and recheck and I found this list. Tom was wrong (a rare occurrence)
it is far more!!! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_passport#Countries_that_do_not_accept_Israeli_passports
I told
you last week that we were having at least three little girls to stay for a few
days – Zvi's (our) granddaughters. I can only tell you that I realised yet
again that there is a very good reason why we don't have children at age 70!
They were good girls but I was exhausted! It's the cleaning, cooking and so on
but much more it is keeping them amused. Since Ori, aged 5, had an accident the
day before we had to keep her out of the sun so that meant entertaining
everyone at home. Rachels two girls joined us in the afternoon but my long
forgotten expertise in craft came to the front. I already bought a ton of equipment
and things that shine in the night and we set to it. I have to admit I loved
it!! The next day we set off for the Chocolate Factory in Kibbutz Tzuba where
they built houses and a car out of chocolate and I got to make a chocololly as
their helper!!!
On
Monday we had a fascinating meeting. It had to be at home since one cannot
leave 3 girls alone at home. Robert Croiterescu and Anabella and Oscar
Jaroslavsky of HaTzad Hasheni http://hatzadhasheni.com/
came to discuss further how to go forward in their outreach and education of
the truth about Israel in the Spanish speaking world. The only way to fight BDS
and other liars is to be aware of what really happens here – and ensure that
our young people are informed so they know how to respond. The meeting went
very well and I hope Zvi and I were able to contribute to their further
success.
Monday
night was Tisha b'Av – the day of mourning for many Jewish disasters that occurred
on that date. I spoke about it last week so will not go further but the most
important aspect is that the next day we are asked to start over – to turn the
negative into the positive. We are told not to dwell on our misfortunes, after
all if we did, as a people, we would not have survived. Jews move forward. Out
of each horror that befell us we turned it around and created greatness. That
is the big difference between us and the Palestinians. We do not continually
beat our breasts to the world about being refugees – we wash off the sackcloth
and ashes and build something new and better. For example, although Israel was
on the cards and was planned it was the Holocaust that made us sit up and
create a phenomenal national home.
I have
often spoken about Zvi's deep sense of history and its Jewish relationship
which is why he chose the day after Tisha b'Av to honour his parents by
building a "pinat limmud" a study corner in the Gilo synagogue where
we used to take his father to pray. Kalman and Ala Raviv – both orphaned by the
Holocaust – lived the ultimate Jewish life. They educated an entire generation
of Israelis and young Mexicans; not only teaching but educating them to be
better people. Fine gentle folk who gave their all for this country. Zvi gave a
speech about learning, tolerance and real Judaism which is a generous and open
religion, in a synagogue which should welcome all comers.
Zvi was
especially pleased that in addition to Leor, Shiri, Amit, Gili and Ori, Silvia,
Alex and Avraham Feinsod, Zvi's cousins from Mexico, were able to come to the
synagogue, to be with Zvi at this emotional time.
Alex
will celebrate his barmitzva at the Kotel next week and I promise you I will be
there too! I am so proud of him, he has overcome many obstacles to become an
amazing young man.
Yesterday
I met with 5 girlfriends from my childhood in Wales. We try to meet frequently but
all lead busy lives. We speak of our past and our present; we all live in
Israel now and love every moment. There is something so special about meeting
old friends, they know who you are, from whence you came and the life you live
and lived. I love every one of them.
So this
morning we went to the Opera, thanks to Elihu Ben On. I admit that I am not
especially fond of modern opera, I find the music is not to my taste, but the
performance was excellent, in the school of excellence in science and the arts
down the road and it was a very pleasant way to spend a Friday morning!!!
I am
not going to put you through opera – although, on second thoughts yes I
will!!!! Nabucco, that most Jewish of operas, Daniel Oren, the Israeli Opera
Company and the chorus of the Hebrew slaves sung by the thousands of people in
the audience. A true song of longing for our land https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eebzmS-Fj8
In 2014
the world made Havdallah in the Shabbes Project. Havdallah means separation or
difference. After Shabbat ends we return to our normal lives, reawaken our 5
senses and thank G-d for bringing us to this day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y9jPvnV5B8
Many
years ago Mark Knopfler wrote a song, Brothers in Arms, which was a massive
hit. What most didn't know or understand is that he wrote the song for the IDF.
This clip still makes me cry, but in pride. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTXiBGLloV4
So dear
friends, another week has gone by, full and fascinating. Shabbat is almost here
and we can put all distress and concern aside and contemplate a better, sweeter
kinder world.
Shabbat
Shalom dear friends from that city in the hills that is so incredible that
everybody wants her.
With
love
Sheila
Oh and
Stanley, the kumquats, pomegranates and lemons await you!!
No comments:
Post a Comment