If the events being played out in the Middle East today were not so potentially tragic, then the scenario could provide an astute author with enough satiric humor to fill volumes.


As the situation in Gaza worsens and has become a flashpoint for worldwide media, a recent directive was issued by the Olmert government to launch a campaign aimed at changing Israel's image. Presumably, the rationale for

Defense Minister Ehud Barak immediately capitulated.

this public relations effort is an attempt to "win friends and influence nations," in order to stem the tide of universal condemnation leveled at Israel's retaliatory actions in Gaza, despite the government's ongoing policy of restraint. Apparently, the age-old curse, "ma yomru hagoyim?" ("What will the nations say?") is alive and well in the "sovereign" Jewish State.


Ironically, it is the Arab enemies who have discovered this Achilles' heel of the Jews.


In a classic example of the adage about the youth who killed his parents and then asked the court for mercy because he was an orphan, the murderous Hamas terrorists continue to bombard Sderot and other Israeli cities with non-stop Kassam rockets, while accusing Israel of violating their human (read: Haman) rights by holding back fuel and electricity in Gaza. Predictably, an outcry ensued from the European Union, the United Nations, and other such "impartial observers" - those that consistently turn a blind eye to the Arab terrorist slaughter and wounding of Jews - against the "collective punishment of innocent civilians" in Gaza. Needless to say, the daily bombardment of innocent Jewish civilians in their own homeland, which has made life a living hell for them, in the jaundiced view of those same "impartial observers," is not considered "collective punishment."


More detrimental to Israel and its image in the world, however, is the fact that Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak immediately capitulated and decided to once again allow shipments of fuel and other supplies into Gaza.


It is, indeed, high time for Israel to change its image. Enough of trying to placate, appease or explain to the world the actions deemed necessary for our survival. (I have often said in my past lectures that the only ministry lacking in the government is the Ministry of Explanation.) No normal country sacrifices the welfare of its citizens in order to gain approval or acceptance by the world.

Enough of trying to placate, appease or explain.



Israel must change its image to project strength and self-respect, the very qualities that are sadly missing in its leadership today.


In the final analysis, the Jewish people - which wandered the face of the Earth for two millenia suffering untold persecution in crusades, inquisitions, pogroms and the unspeakable Holocaust, until, with G-d's help, we returned to rebuild our ancient homeland in Eretz Yisrael - owes the world nothing. Instead of attempting to change its image to influence nations that are, at best, indifferent and, at worst, hostile to Israel's existence, let us remember that Jews must only win favor in the eyes of the Almightyt, blessed be He, on whom our survival depends.


In the timeless words of the great King David, "Oh L-rd, in Thee I do trust.... Let not my enemies triumph over me." (Tehilim [Psalms] 25)