I planned to write a quiet, inspiring and educational column about Pesach this week but the Pharaohs of the world have intruded on my plans. Instead, I am compelled to paraphrase the famous Pesach poem/song "Dayenu" to describe our current situation in Israel and the Jewish world generally. The traditional "Dayenu" of the Hagada is a song of thanksgiving and praise to the Lord of Israel for His manifold blessings and miracles in the story of the Exodus of Israel from Egyptian bondage and oppression. My "Dayenu" concerns itself with the sickening hypocrisy and enmity exhibited by the world in its attitude toward Israel and Jews.
Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, attended the recent meeting of the Arab League foreign ministers in Amman. In his speech to the assembled Arab leaders, he chose to join the chorus of vitriol being heaped upon Israel at that meeting. With Arafat sitting there and beaming, good old Kofi found only words of sympathy for the Palestinians and words of condemnation for the Israeli "oppressor." As such, he and the UN have reverted back to its traditional anti-Israel bias and unproductive propaganda. The shameful Security Council resolution that the United States bravely and correctly vetoed that would have brought in UN observers to "protect" the Palestinians is only the beginning of the new UN offensive against Israel. The Palestinians need protection only from themselves. If they stop shooting, they can be assured that no one will shoot at them. But the UN and Kofi Annan choose to ignore the facts that they know to be true and only spew forth their anti-Israel attitude. And then Mr. Annan wonders why the Israelis refer to the UN as "oom-shmoom!" Well, shame on you, Mr. Annan and to the UN. I say - "Dayenu!" - enough already. How about doing something positive about the Lebanese border where you already operate before tackling new areas of tension?
We also heard from the spokesman for the Norwegian Foreign Office last week. The distinguished Mr. Johannsen opined that it was perfectly legal and moral for the Palestinians to throw stones and shoot live ammunition at Israeli soldiers since they were "battling for freedom from occupiers." When asked if it was also proper to target civilian Israelis living in the West Bank and Gaza, the noted diplomat and Oslo peacemaker replied that "this is a legal question that is being referred to the legal department of the Foreign Office." When his comments raised a furor, Johannsen claimed that his words were taken out of context, though the reporter that published the interview with him stated that the text of the article was sent to Johannsen for review before publication. The Danes object to our Minister of Tourism. Well, guys, I must say to you as well "Dayenu!" Enough of your crocodile tears and hypocritical posturing. If you are truly interested in quieting down the situation then stop the bias and the hatred and tell Arafat exactly what President Bush told him: "Stop the shooting!"
There were many Jews that did not participate in the Exodus from Egypt. They had no faith in Moshe and were so brainwashed by the prevalent ideas of Egyptian society that they failed to believe in themselves and their future. There are unfortunately quite a few Jews around today that also cannot give up on their humanistic illusions even though the bitter reality of the facts slaps them in the face. There are a group of Jews who are going to honor that noted fighter for peace and justice, Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, at a luncheon in Washington D.C. What they hope to accomplish by this is unknown to me. Mubarak should instead be told to return his ambassador to Israel, to stop supporting the maximalist demands of Arafat and to rein in the continuing bitterly anti-Semitic propaganda of his government-controlled media. In short, he should be told "Dayenu!" We have had enough of his hatred and negative influence. Jews should tell him the truth and not fawn disgracefully over this exploiting dictator.
Last "Land Day" - it occurred last week for those who did not notice - saw a number of young, fresh-cheeked, dewy-eyed "activists" from Peace Now join with the Arab protests. Now that Arafat has proven that Peace Now is pretty much out of business as far as peace is concerned, its diehard adherents are looking for a new cause. The Arabs always provide them with such a cause and always at the expense of their Jewish brethren. Well, they also deserve a big fat "Dayenu!" from us.
May Pesach bring to all of us joy, happiness and a renewal of commitment and belief. And to all of those who wish to destroy us may they receive a convincing "Dayenu!"
Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, attended the recent meeting of the Arab League foreign ministers in Amman. In his speech to the assembled Arab leaders, he chose to join the chorus of vitriol being heaped upon Israel at that meeting. With Arafat sitting there and beaming, good old Kofi found only words of sympathy for the Palestinians and words of condemnation for the Israeli "oppressor." As such, he and the UN have reverted back to its traditional anti-Israel bias and unproductive propaganda. The shameful Security Council resolution that the United States bravely and correctly vetoed that would have brought in UN observers to "protect" the Palestinians is only the beginning of the new UN offensive against Israel. The Palestinians need protection only from themselves. If they stop shooting, they can be assured that no one will shoot at them. But the UN and Kofi Annan choose to ignore the facts that they know to be true and only spew forth their anti-Israel attitude. And then Mr. Annan wonders why the Israelis refer to the UN as "oom-shmoom!" Well, shame on you, Mr. Annan and to the UN. I say - "Dayenu!" - enough already. How about doing something positive about the Lebanese border where you already operate before tackling new areas of tension?
We also heard from the spokesman for the Norwegian Foreign Office last week. The distinguished Mr. Johannsen opined that it was perfectly legal and moral for the Palestinians to throw stones and shoot live ammunition at Israeli soldiers since they were "battling for freedom from occupiers." When asked if it was also proper to target civilian Israelis living in the West Bank and Gaza, the noted diplomat and Oslo peacemaker replied that "this is a legal question that is being referred to the legal department of the Foreign Office." When his comments raised a furor, Johannsen claimed that his words were taken out of context, though the reporter that published the interview with him stated that the text of the article was sent to Johannsen for review before publication. The Danes object to our Minister of Tourism. Well, guys, I must say to you as well "Dayenu!" Enough of your crocodile tears and hypocritical posturing. If you are truly interested in quieting down the situation then stop the bias and the hatred and tell Arafat exactly what President Bush told him: "Stop the shooting!"
There were many Jews that did not participate in the Exodus from Egypt. They had no faith in Moshe and were so brainwashed by the prevalent ideas of Egyptian society that they failed to believe in themselves and their future. There are unfortunately quite a few Jews around today that also cannot give up on their humanistic illusions even though the bitter reality of the facts slaps them in the face. There are a group of Jews who are going to honor that noted fighter for peace and justice, Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, at a luncheon in Washington D.C. What they hope to accomplish by this is unknown to me. Mubarak should instead be told to return his ambassador to Israel, to stop supporting the maximalist demands of Arafat and to rein in the continuing bitterly anti-Semitic propaganda of his government-controlled media. In short, he should be told "Dayenu!" We have had enough of his hatred and negative influence. Jews should tell him the truth and not fawn disgracefully over this exploiting dictator.
Last "Land Day" - it occurred last week for those who did not notice - saw a number of young, fresh-cheeked, dewy-eyed "activists" from Peace Now join with the Arab protests. Now that Arafat has proven that Peace Now is pretty much out of business as far as peace is concerned, its diehard adherents are looking for a new cause. The Arabs always provide them with such a cause and always at the expense of their Jewish brethren. Well, they also deserve a big fat "Dayenu!" from us.
May Pesach bring to all of us joy, happiness and a renewal of commitment and belief. And to all of those who wish to destroy us may they receive a convincing "Dayenu!"