Regarding Israel’s “Moral Compass” and the meeting Ms. Michalson commented on a few weeks ago I would like as, a non-Jew to offer, my thoughts. I too attended that meeting but, unlike her, I did hear a number of people speak out in opposition to “West Bank” settlements. (You can read Sue Michalson’s original Opinion piece HERE.)
Having spent time and done business in Israel I was quite surprised at her accusations against the people and state of Israel. So I rolled up my sleeves to do some investigating.
My first effort was to try to make some sense of the history of the “Levant.”
I found that approximately 1200BC was the beginning of human history in the area. It has been ruled by many different powers, including Alexander the Great, Rome, Constantine, Islam, the Crusaders, Saladin, the Ottomans and Great Britain through the 1940’s.
One constant through all these centuries was the presence of the Semite people, both Jewish and non-jewish. Boundaries shifted as often as the sand.
After World War I the League of Nations mandated “Palestine” to Great Britain, and the Balfour Decision of 1917 called for the establishment of a homeland for the Jewish people.
Through the 1930s & 40s turmoil reigned in the area complicated by World War II. After the war, in 1947, the United Nations divided “Palestine” in two. One area for Jews, one for “Palestinians”
In 1948 Israel declared its independent statehood. The “Palestinians” rejected both the division and Israel’s statehood.
Most of us have lived through the history since then.
In 1967 an Arab coalition attacked Israel (The Six Day War). They lost.
In 1973 came the Yom Kippur war. They lost again. As a result Israel controlled the area we know as Gaza, the West Bank the Golan Heights and the Sinai Peninsula.
Israel and Egypt negotiated peace and Israel returned the Sinai.
The “Palestinians” have refused all offers of negotiated peace including offers to turn over the West Bank and Gaza to them. Israel, unilaterally turned over Gaza..
The firmly stated goal of the “Palestinians” has remained the total destruction of Israel and constantly refused the “two state” solution.
Ms. Michalson’s claims of Israel’s misconduct are really surprising to me.
We know that as Israel responded to rocket attacks against its civilian population “Palestinian” civilians and hospitals were hit because that where the rockets were launched.
We know the walls were put in place to counter terror attacks and suicide bombings
I cannot comment on water rationing as I could find no information on the subject.
I would note that ruling a people that rewards killings of Israelis is not an easy task
I would suggest that the Jewish people have as much or more a claim on this territory as anyone.
But the claim of children murdered at school is patently unbelievable.
And in response to her question “What would you do?”
I certainly would not murder families in their homes, blow up buses, or rain rockets on civilians.
I would sit down and seriously negotiate for peace. But, then again, I consider myself a civilized human being.
Bob Resker is a resident of the Village of Glenbrook.
