Any student of elementary logic knows that the best way to solve a problem is to ask the right questions. In the Middle East conflict, there is one question that is asked over and over again, to the exclusion of almost all other questions. That question is, "How can Israel make peace with its Arab neighbors?"
It's the wrong question.
It's the wrong question because peace with the Arabs is not possible. Too many Arab leaders have made it clear that they have absolutely no interest in peace, at least not on any terms that Israel could possibly accept.
The right question is "How can Israel succeed as a Jewish state even though it is surrounded by enemies?" Let's now see if we can answer this question.
First, a successful Jewish state must be based on Jewish values. The core values of Judaism are belief in God, and belief in the Covenant. A key part of the Covenant is God's promise to give the entire Land of Israel to the Jews. It's true that our ability to stay on the land is conditional on fulfilling our part of the Covenant. Nevertheless, it's a major breach of the Covenant on our part to grant permanent ownership of any part of the land to someone else, especially when we are not militarily compelled to do so. In other words, all proposals for a separate Palestinian state should be dismissed out of hand, removed from the negotiating table, and not be made a subject of diplomatic discussions, period. The entire land should be opened to Jewish settlement, and war should be waged without restraint against those who seek to take the land away from us.
Many will say that this position is untenable, since the whole international community, as well as many Israelis themselves, have already embraced the idea of a Palestinian state as the panacea for the Mideast conflict. Here is where faith becomes crucial. Who are we more concerned about pleasing, the Creator of the Universe or the international community? If enough people answer the former, there's still hope for the Jewish nation.
After the Exodus, in the famous incident of the spies, the majority of Jews wanted to return to Egypt, rather than fight the Canaanites. They were frightened by reports about the Canaanites' power, and their lack of faith cost them dearly. Today, Israel's lack of faith is again costing it dearly. Many Jews, perhaps even a majority, are ready to surrender Judaism's holiest places to an enemy that is entirely unworthy of possessing them, simply because they fear the power of our adversaries. This disastrous trend needs to be reversed, and quickly. We who believe need to start speaking and acting forcefully on behalf of the Covenant, no matter how unfashionable or unpopular it may be, and no matter how much ridicule we may receive from those who consider themselves too "enlightened" to believe in God. If we don't make a firm stand on the Covenant today, God may judge this generation of Jews as unworthy to possess the Promised Land in peace, and reserve that privilege for a future generation instead.
As for the Palestinians, they have forfeited, by their own behavior, the right to live in the Land of Israel. In ancient times, we were commanded to drive out the Canaanites, because their continued presence was certain to do us harm, both physically and spiritually. Can anyone deny the harm being done to us by the Arab presence?
There are over twenty Arab countries that have the same language, culture and religion as the Palestinians. These countries must accept the transfer of the Palestinians to their lands, just as Israel accepted Jews who were transferred out of Arab lands. But Israel has the right, and perhaps the obligation, to expel the Palestinians, whether or not other Arab states are willing to take them. We have to abandon the absurd and self-defeating policy of promoting the welfare of those whose only aim is to destroy us.
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Martin Wasserman is a software developer and former radio show host in California´s Silicon Valley. He can be reached at DeeperLook@aol.com.
It's the wrong question.
It's the wrong question because peace with the Arabs is not possible. Too many Arab leaders have made it clear that they have absolutely no interest in peace, at least not on any terms that Israel could possibly accept.
The right question is "How can Israel succeed as a Jewish state even though it is surrounded by enemies?" Let's now see if we can answer this question.
First, a successful Jewish state must be based on Jewish values. The core values of Judaism are belief in God, and belief in the Covenant. A key part of the Covenant is God's promise to give the entire Land of Israel to the Jews. It's true that our ability to stay on the land is conditional on fulfilling our part of the Covenant. Nevertheless, it's a major breach of the Covenant on our part to grant permanent ownership of any part of the land to someone else, especially when we are not militarily compelled to do so. In other words, all proposals for a separate Palestinian state should be dismissed out of hand, removed from the negotiating table, and not be made a subject of diplomatic discussions, period. The entire land should be opened to Jewish settlement, and war should be waged without restraint against those who seek to take the land away from us.
Many will say that this position is untenable, since the whole international community, as well as many Israelis themselves, have already embraced the idea of a Palestinian state as the panacea for the Mideast conflict. Here is where faith becomes crucial. Who are we more concerned about pleasing, the Creator of the Universe or the international community? If enough people answer the former, there's still hope for the Jewish nation.
After the Exodus, in the famous incident of the spies, the majority of Jews wanted to return to Egypt, rather than fight the Canaanites. They were frightened by reports about the Canaanites' power, and their lack of faith cost them dearly. Today, Israel's lack of faith is again costing it dearly. Many Jews, perhaps even a majority, are ready to surrender Judaism's holiest places to an enemy that is entirely unworthy of possessing them, simply because they fear the power of our adversaries. This disastrous trend needs to be reversed, and quickly. We who believe need to start speaking and acting forcefully on behalf of the Covenant, no matter how unfashionable or unpopular it may be, and no matter how much ridicule we may receive from those who consider themselves too "enlightened" to believe in God. If we don't make a firm stand on the Covenant today, God may judge this generation of Jews as unworthy to possess the Promised Land in peace, and reserve that privilege for a future generation instead.
As for the Palestinians, they have forfeited, by their own behavior, the right to live in the Land of Israel. In ancient times, we were commanded to drive out the Canaanites, because their continued presence was certain to do us harm, both physically and spiritually. Can anyone deny the harm being done to us by the Arab presence?
There are over twenty Arab countries that have the same language, culture and religion as the Palestinians. These countries must accept the transfer of the Palestinians to their lands, just as Israel accepted Jews who were transferred out of Arab lands. But Israel has the right, and perhaps the obligation, to expel the Palestinians, whether or not other Arab states are willing to take them. We have to abandon the absurd and self-defeating policy of promoting the welfare of those whose only aim is to destroy us.
----------------------------------
Martin Wasserman is a software developer and former radio show host in California´s Silicon Valley. He can be reached at DeeperLook@aol.com.