The burial place of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of Israel (Hevron), the first city conquered by Joshua upon the entry into the Land of Israel (Jericho), the childhood home of Samuel the Prophet (Shiloh) and King David’s home (Bethlehem) – all of these are “someone else’s lands?”
Former Shin Bet Chief Yuval Diskin has added his name to a long list of once-distinguished security officials who become outspoken proponents of expelling Jews and surrendering Jewish land, in anticipation of their impending entry into politics. as leftist party candidates.
This strong leftist policy position is usually, we are told, for the noble cause of “peace” and is designed to save Israel from the “unethical” act of taking someone else’s land.
Mr. Diskin is no exception to the rule. Speaking at a recent Tel Aviv conference commemorating the ten year anniversary of the Geneva Initiative, which urged Israel to adopt a two-state solution in negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, Diskin proclaimed that the goal of an independent Palestinian (Arab) state in Judea and Samaria is essential and that the growing number of Jews in those areas are a greater threat to Israel than a nuclear Iran. He went on to call for Israel to become a nation "which prefers the sanctity of its people over the sanctity of its land" and which "does not feel it has to occupy others' land."
One has to wonder which land this former security official for Israel is referring to. Perhaps he was speaking about thefar away land of the pyramids – Egypt. On second thought, could he have been speaking about Saudi Arabia or one of the other Persian Gulf countries? Well, no. In fact, this Israeli security icon was proclaiming that Judea (the region just south of Jerusalem) and Samaria (the region just north of Jerusalem) are Arab lands.
Incredibly, Diskin is telling us that the burial place of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs of Israel (Hevron), that the first city conquered by Joshua upon the entry into the Land of Israel (Jericho), that the childhood home of Samuel the Prophet (Shiloh) and that King David’s childhood home (Bethlehem) – that all of these historic Jewish places are “someone else’s lands?”
Diskin goes on to proclaim that “We must create a new coalition in the Israeli government, one that includes the parties that support peace,” while at the same time adding, “My participation here does not hint at any political intentions I might have.”
Interesting words, but not very convincing.
It seems clear that Diskin is preparing to join a long list of former security officials who, intent on riding on the laurels of their past service, fail to recognize that a political leader of Israel should have a basic knowledge of Jewish history and a commitment to a Jewish destiny that is based on that history. The approximately half a million Jews now living in Judea and Samaria are not a threat to a real, genuine peace. Just the opposite is true. A rapidly growing Jewish population in any part of the Land of Israel is a blessing, a fulfillment of prophecy, and a clear affirmation of our sovereignty in this land.
The world may vociferously condemn us and threaten us, but a true Zionist leader recognizes and affirms the Jewish right to its historic homeland, and yes, acts to unapologetically encourage and actualize the wonderful process of Jewish population growth and settlement in the land.
When it comes to Zionist leadership, Yuval Diskin is clearly not up to the task.
David Rubin is a former Mayor of Shiloh, Israel. He is founder and president of Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund and the author of several books, including Peace for Peace and The Islamic Tsunami. He can be found at www.DavidRubinIsrael.com or at www.ShilohIsraelChildren.org