The Belgian Supreme Court finds it perfectly legitimate to take Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to court for ?crimes against humanity?. Ironically, the precedent was set when crimes were committed against Jews. Today, basically any nation, under cover of ?crimes against humanity?, can set up its own tribunals and convict anyone who committed crimes against humanity, according to that nation?s definition, anywhere on the planet.
If Belgium can successfully indict Ariel Sharon, will Belgium be able to pursue and indict the state of Israel itself for crimes against humanity? What crimes? Well, that is up to what the Belgian supreme court decides. It could be our killing of terrorists in self defense or retaliation, it could be the establishment of communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. It could be anything they deem a legitimate cause. Furthermore, other nations could begin their own tribunals. All of a sudden, it becomes a planetary free for all against Israel. Far fetched? Perhaps. But the prophets hint at it.
Zechariah (12:2-3) says, ?Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.?
The virulent hatred against Israel is worse than we saw around the world directed at the United States during the past few days. What is even more perplexing is the tacit support of Saddam Hussein by the world community, especially in Europe. This is the man who is paying a $15,000 premium for every suicide bombing. In time, things may escalate and Israel will find itself standing alone against the world. Well, what?s new?
It seems HaShem will prevail on Israel?s behalf, but what can we do to ameliorate the current situation in the meantime? We still cannot plead our case before the world community partly because we have not even sought legitimacy according to our own law. Without a halachic state, our mandate for existence is shaky, at best, and we cannot even make any legitimate claims because we are in violation of our own law.
In the eyes of the world, we are diminished to a bunch of thugs simply occupying some land belonging to some poor Arabs. This is what young people at universities around the world are learning. We need to make an airtight legal case according to our own law, first. If not, we are dead.
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Moshe Yisraeli is a promulgator of Jewish thought in modern times. He is making aliyah and can be reached at mosheyisraeli@yahoo.com.
If Belgium can successfully indict Ariel Sharon, will Belgium be able to pursue and indict the state of Israel itself for crimes against humanity? What crimes? Well, that is up to what the Belgian supreme court decides. It could be our killing of terrorists in self defense or retaliation, it could be the establishment of communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. It could be anything they deem a legitimate cause. Furthermore, other nations could begin their own tribunals. All of a sudden, it becomes a planetary free for all against Israel. Far fetched? Perhaps. But the prophets hint at it.
Zechariah (12:2-3) says, ?Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.?
The virulent hatred against Israel is worse than we saw around the world directed at the United States during the past few days. What is even more perplexing is the tacit support of Saddam Hussein by the world community, especially in Europe. This is the man who is paying a $15,000 premium for every suicide bombing. In time, things may escalate and Israel will find itself standing alone against the world. Well, what?s new?
It seems HaShem will prevail on Israel?s behalf, but what can we do to ameliorate the current situation in the meantime? We still cannot plead our case before the world community partly because we have not even sought legitimacy according to our own law. Without a halachic state, our mandate for existence is shaky, at best, and we cannot even make any legitimate claims because we are in violation of our own law.
In the eyes of the world, we are diminished to a bunch of thugs simply occupying some land belonging to some poor Arabs. This is what young people at universities around the world are learning. We need to make an airtight legal case according to our own law, first. If not, we are dead.
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Moshe Yisraeli is a promulgator of Jewish thought in modern times. He is making aliyah and can be reached at mosheyisraeli@yahoo.com.