If I had the stamina of Paul Revere and knew how to ride a horse, I?d be frantically galloping through Judea, Samaria and Gaza (Yesha), instead of sitting and watching the fireworks over Baghdad via CNN. But rather than crying out, ?The redcoats are coming?, or even, ?The terrorists are coming?, I?d be screaming at the top of my lungs, ?The three piece suits are coming!? Because, in many ways, men or women in black, pinstripes, grey flannel or tweed can be far more dangerous than those outfitted in a khaki, keffiya, veil or turban ensemble.
As a former American, I feel a sense of pride that the U.S.A. is, once again, doing the right thing. As an Israeli, I?m experiencing a complex combination of gratitude, jealousy and dread. I?m grateful that America is fighting a just war against Saddam. I?m jealous, because Israel doesn?t seem to have what it takes to override world opinion and ?decapitate? Arafat and Hamas leader Sheikh Yassin. I have an overwhelming sense of dread, because I know that part of the price of this war is that Israel will be graciously, but firmly, ushered to a conference table by American and European hosts. Some well-attired Palestinian intellectual negotiators will be sitting on the other side.
The stage has been set, just as it was twelve years ago, down to every last detail, from the Gulf War to the 10 billion dollars in financial assistance that hangs in the balance. A new and freshly combed Palestinian emissary is in town. Perhaps Abu Mazen helps to fill the void left by one Faisal Husseini (he was found dead in Kuwait - small world).
When compared with Yassir Arafat, Abu Mazen cuts an impressive figure. It appears that he showers, shaves and wears expensive suits. The well-groomed white hair and scholarly glasses are a nice touch. But underneath it all is a bloodstained keffiyah. Still don?t get it? Well, then try the following analogy: Saddam is to Arafat as Aziz is to Mazen. A bit dense are we? Okay, one more try... Abu Mazen is cut from the same defective cloth as Tariq Aziz. Both Mazen and Aziz are devoted to and serve evil men with evil designs.
As anti-war and anti-American feeling increases, any Jew who?s still in touch with his guts, should be feeling more than uneasy. We are sure to be the focal point of the expanding international upheaval.
Here?s a slightly different scenario: What if, after a stunning American military victory, a victorious President Bush manages to quell the diplomatic tumult? Well, Israel could be in even greater danger, as a jubilant and successful U.S.A. will be riding high and mighty. Israel is likely to get trampled by a speeding chariot- especially one where the laurel wreath is blinding the driver.
We Israelis are spending some important quality time with our families as we watch the action ?live from Baghdad?. It has been a real morale booster for some of us. But we are also wasting valuable time, as we passively watch the action . The national camp should be actively planning our strategy, as we know what?s coming next. George W. Bush may have learned some valuable lessons from his father?s past mistakes. Have we Israelis learned ours?
Perhaps, today, you don?t need a swift stallion to warn of danger. I can ride the World Wide Web from behind this computer. So...
?Calling all Israelis and calling all Diaspora Jews who still give a damn. It?s time to gear-up for the ride of your lives!?
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Ellen Horowitz lives in the Golan Heights with her husband and six children. She is a painter and writer and can be reached at ilan-acu@netvision.net.il.
************
Spend Passover with Arutz Sheva at a resort in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Kfar Pines (near Hadera). Click here for info.
As a former American, I feel a sense of pride that the U.S.A. is, once again, doing the right thing. As an Israeli, I?m experiencing a complex combination of gratitude, jealousy and dread. I?m grateful that America is fighting a just war against Saddam. I?m jealous, because Israel doesn?t seem to have what it takes to override world opinion and ?decapitate? Arafat and Hamas leader Sheikh Yassin. I have an overwhelming sense of dread, because I know that part of the price of this war is that Israel will be graciously, but firmly, ushered to a conference table by American and European hosts. Some well-attired Palestinian intellectual negotiators will be sitting on the other side.
The stage has been set, just as it was twelve years ago, down to every last detail, from the Gulf War to the 10 billion dollars in financial assistance that hangs in the balance. A new and freshly combed Palestinian emissary is in town. Perhaps Abu Mazen helps to fill the void left by one Faisal Husseini (he was found dead in Kuwait - small world).
When compared with Yassir Arafat, Abu Mazen cuts an impressive figure. It appears that he showers, shaves and wears expensive suits. The well-groomed white hair and scholarly glasses are a nice touch. But underneath it all is a bloodstained keffiyah. Still don?t get it? Well, then try the following analogy: Saddam is to Arafat as Aziz is to Mazen. A bit dense are we? Okay, one more try... Abu Mazen is cut from the same defective cloth as Tariq Aziz. Both Mazen and Aziz are devoted to and serve evil men with evil designs.
As anti-war and anti-American feeling increases, any Jew who?s still in touch with his guts, should be feeling more than uneasy. We are sure to be the focal point of the expanding international upheaval.
Here?s a slightly different scenario: What if, after a stunning American military victory, a victorious President Bush manages to quell the diplomatic tumult? Well, Israel could be in even greater danger, as a jubilant and successful U.S.A. will be riding high and mighty. Israel is likely to get trampled by a speeding chariot- especially one where the laurel wreath is blinding the driver.
We Israelis are spending some important quality time with our families as we watch the action ?live from Baghdad?. It has been a real morale booster for some of us. But we are also wasting valuable time, as we passively watch the action . The national camp should be actively planning our strategy, as we know what?s coming next. George W. Bush may have learned some valuable lessons from his father?s past mistakes. Have we Israelis learned ours?
Perhaps, today, you don?t need a swift stallion to warn of danger. I can ride the World Wide Web from behind this computer. So...
?Calling all Israelis and calling all Diaspora Jews who still give a damn. It?s time to gear-up for the ride of your lives!?
--------------------------------------------------------
Ellen Horowitz lives in the Golan Heights with her husband and six children. She is a painter and writer and can be reached at ilan-acu@netvision.net.il.
************
Spend Passover with Arutz Sheva at a resort in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Kfar Pines (near Hadera). Click here for info.