There are dark clouds looming over the People of Israel. These dark clouds have been preceded by several Black Days that portend the destruction of Zionism in Israel. These Black Days that have followed in quick succession are: the Knesset vote on the expulsion of Jews from Gaza and the Shomron; then the decision to allow Labor to join a coalition with the Likud; and finally, the revelation that the United States (with Ariel Sharon's acquiescence) will demand a complete expulsion of all Jews east of the security fence. Labor, which lost the last election, with Shimon Peres in the coalition, will be a driving force behind the expulsion of Jews, not just from Gaza, but from all of Judea, Samaria and Gaza.
The consequences of all of the above are much more serious than many understand. It will create a dramatic deterioration in Israel's security, as well as a total breakdown of national morale. The destruction of the homes and lives of so many Jews will totally undermine the principles of Zionism that are the bedrock of the Jewish State.
The Jews have faced expulsions many times throughout their history - the largest, from Spain in 1492. Today, we witness the first time Jews have been expelled by a Jewish government from their own nation.
The immediate consequence of this vile act by the Sharon government is the total fracture of the national consensus. It is a rupture of the historical roots of Israel in Zionism. The ruling Likud Party will be split and there is a possibility that the anti-Zionist Left will emerge as the most significant influence on Israeli politics after being defeated in the last election by a landslide. Democratic principles are being undermined and critics of Sharon's policies are being threatened with imprisonment.
What can we expect in the future following the surrender to terrorism? For one, Gaza will become a haven and training base for terrorists from all over the world. New weapons will be introduced in large numbers, including rockets capable of reaching Israel's major cities. Just like the days before the Six Day War, terrorists will infiltrate into Israel from Gaza, bringing death and destruction in their wake.
The most significant damage will be to Israeli morale. While the Arabs will feel elated at this victory over Israel, Jews will become depressed and their feelings of national pride will be greatly diminished. Many Jews will seek to avoid joining the IDF and its elite units. Many more will emigrate to other countries, disgusted with Israeli anti-Jewish policies.
The goal of improving Israel's demographic balance by leaving Gaza will fail as fewer Jews will immigrate to Israel as the security situation deteriorates. As increasing numbers of Jews emigrate and the Arab birthrate continues to grow, Israel will find itself in the same difficult position. There are other answers to the problem, like transfer, but the leftist government will refuse to even discuss it.
How Can We Save Israel and Prevent Expulsion of Jews?
It is clear that the present Likud government of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is leading Israel to disaster. It is also clear that nothing external is compelling this self-destruction. The only thing that will save Israel is new elections.
That could be too late; Israel will be lost.
The only way to speed up elections and thus save Israel is by destabilizing the current government and causing it to fall. This would force new elections and stop the insane Oslo/Road Map/retreat process.
History
Over the last one hundred years, many governments have been destabilized by the action of a determined group of its citizens, not necessarily a majority. Two recent cases in this country are the Civil Rights Movement and the Anti-Vietnam War Movement. There is no doubt that Lyndon Johnson chose not to run for a second term because of the anti-war movement. There is also no doubt the African-American population would not have been able to throw off the yoke of discrimination without non-violent protest. In Israel, it is obvious that the Intifada succeeded because of the Israeli government's reticence in crushing it.
It is this reticence by democratic regimes to crush popular uprisings that is the biggest weapon in the hands of groups wishing to destabilize their government. This principle does not work under autocratic governments, as witness Syria (Hama) and China (Tiananmen Square).
Techniques
1. Demonstrations -- The larger, the better. Demonstrations will not in and of themselves bring down a government. Good media coverage is essential to give the population a feeling that the tide of history is turning against the regime.
2. Civil disobedience -- The key to success. There is one essential requirement for destabilizing a government and that is for a determined group of people to be willing to go to jail, be beaten by police and possibly be killed in the pursuit of their political aims. More will follow later on organizing civil disobedience.
3. The Wrench in the Machinery of Government
A. Physical - Roads and bridges can be blocked by slow or stalled cars.
B. Electronic - Computer networks, telecommunications can be adversely affected [10,000 people calling government offices at the same time can paralyze the system].
C. Psychological - Photos can be taken of police and military personnel who become involved in violent action against peaceful demonstrators. Available now are miniature video cameras that can be worn inconspicuously and send live feed to distant computers. At a time and place of your choosing, their names can be revealed; those security officers involved in non-democratic violence against demonstrators can be compromised. Their names and photos can be publicized, leading to fear and a sense of insecurity.
4. Violence - Only to defend one's life.
A. Armed resistance to non-democratic police and military actions is not the best course of action, since the military, police and security services will always be stronger and better equipped.
B. Open revolt against authority. Democracies are primarily based on voluntary compliance with the legal system. When that democracy ceases to govern in the best interests of its citizenry, for its security and survival, then it is lawful and justified to resist authority. This includes refusing to pay taxes, violating illegal orders of the non-democratic army, etc.
C. Mass demonstrations, including the right of self-defense, are meant to intimidate the police and the government. The horrible vision of civil war will restrain the government. Knowing that the Zionist Right will not physically resist gives the government strength to pursue suicidal policies. The policy of not striking back at the Left (as experienced during the "Season") begun in the pre-state days by Menachem Begin has had the effect of emasculating the Right in its relations with the Left.
Strategy
While it is preferable to wage a non-violent campaign, there are certain lessons one can learn from the Israel Defense Forces.
1. Most important: do not give the enemy time to rest and re-group. The IDF always advances in one massive push to victory, never allowing the enemy a respite. The same must be true of the demonstrations against Sharon. It is a mistake to agree to a truce. The time will be used to organize special police units, including female police officers, to handle demonstrators. The government has already learned that reservists do not like this heartrending, undemocratic task.
2. Attack in many places at once, causing physical and psychological stress on the enemy. Demonstrators should not just take over hills in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, but should take over government offices from Eilat to Metulla. Roads should be blocked all over the country. In Jerusalem, with its many government offices and a supportive religious population, it should be possible to create and sustain chaos.
Conclusion
Half measures will not work. Either we want to bring down this government or we don't. You can not be both meat and milk. It was the IDF's failure to destroy the Intifada that led to much of our trouble. Remember the principle of vaccinations: a tiny dose of the disease allows the body to build its immune system. Half-measures allow Sharon to develop a resistance to the demonstrations. We must take the momentum and build continuously to the day of victory. The decision is ours.
Under the Nazis, the Jews of Warsaw numbered over 500,000. They were depleted with regular deportations aided by the Judenrat (Jewish leaders). The revolt in Warsaw began when the Jewish population was down to 50,000 (or 90% murdered). At what point is it okay to rebel? When is civil disobedience okay? When is civil war a better course than suicide? All throughout history there have been rebels and loyalists. History is usually written by the victors, but truly there is seldom a universally accepted moral standard as to what is a proper rebellion and what is not. We can say with absolute certainty, however, that the Jewish return to Zion and our struggle today for Eretz Yisrael are more righteous than any other struggle for national liberation in the history of the world.
The Jews of Judea, Samaria and Gaza must not be passive pawns in the political surrender of their homes. The defeatist Israeli leaders, who have surrendered our Jewish rights to Eretz Yisrael, should be told that there are still proud Jews in Judea, Samaria and Gaza who will give up neither their inheritance from Abraham, nor their right of self-defense. The brave heroes of Zion must not limit themselves to passive civil disobedience, but must be on the offensive. My friends, it is way past time to mount an active civil disobedience campaign that will be celebrated by future generations as the Maccabees are today.
While such internal Jewish conflict would be dreadful, it is a consequence of the government's disregard for the security and wellbeing of its citizens. At this great time of trial and apocalyptic threat, the safeguarding of the future of the Jewish people's right to Eretz Yisrael must take precedence.
The consequences of all of the above are much more serious than many understand. It will create a dramatic deterioration in Israel's security, as well as a total breakdown of national morale. The destruction of the homes and lives of so many Jews will totally undermine the principles of Zionism that are the bedrock of the Jewish State.
The Jews have faced expulsions many times throughout their history - the largest, from Spain in 1492. Today, we witness the first time Jews have been expelled by a Jewish government from their own nation.
The immediate consequence of this vile act by the Sharon government is the total fracture of the national consensus. It is a rupture of the historical roots of Israel in Zionism. The ruling Likud Party will be split and there is a possibility that the anti-Zionist Left will emerge as the most significant influence on Israeli politics after being defeated in the last election by a landslide. Democratic principles are being undermined and critics of Sharon's policies are being threatened with imprisonment.
What can we expect in the future following the surrender to terrorism? For one, Gaza will become a haven and training base for terrorists from all over the world. New weapons will be introduced in large numbers, including rockets capable of reaching Israel's major cities. Just like the days before the Six Day War, terrorists will infiltrate into Israel from Gaza, bringing death and destruction in their wake.
The most significant damage will be to Israeli morale. While the Arabs will feel elated at this victory over Israel, Jews will become depressed and their feelings of national pride will be greatly diminished. Many Jews will seek to avoid joining the IDF and its elite units. Many more will emigrate to other countries, disgusted with Israeli anti-Jewish policies.
The goal of improving Israel's demographic balance by leaving Gaza will fail as fewer Jews will immigrate to Israel as the security situation deteriorates. As increasing numbers of Jews emigrate and the Arab birthrate continues to grow, Israel will find itself in the same difficult position. There are other answers to the problem, like transfer, but the leftist government will refuse to even discuss it.
How Can We Save Israel and Prevent Expulsion of Jews?
It is clear that the present Likud government of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is leading Israel to disaster. It is also clear that nothing external is compelling this self-destruction. The only thing that will save Israel is new elections.
That could be too late; Israel will be lost.
The only way to speed up elections and thus save Israel is by destabilizing the current government and causing it to fall. This would force new elections and stop the insane Oslo/Road Map/retreat process.
History
Over the last one hundred years, many governments have been destabilized by the action of a determined group of its citizens, not necessarily a majority. Two recent cases in this country are the Civil Rights Movement and the Anti-Vietnam War Movement. There is no doubt that Lyndon Johnson chose not to run for a second term because of the anti-war movement. There is also no doubt the African-American population would not have been able to throw off the yoke of discrimination without non-violent protest. In Israel, it is obvious that the Intifada succeeded because of the Israeli government's reticence in crushing it.
It is this reticence by democratic regimes to crush popular uprisings that is the biggest weapon in the hands of groups wishing to destabilize their government. This principle does not work under autocratic governments, as witness Syria (Hama) and China (Tiananmen Square).
Techniques
1. Demonstrations -- The larger, the better. Demonstrations will not in and of themselves bring down a government. Good media coverage is essential to give the population a feeling that the tide of history is turning against the regime.
2. Civil disobedience -- The key to success. There is one essential requirement for destabilizing a government and that is for a determined group of people to be willing to go to jail, be beaten by police and possibly be killed in the pursuit of their political aims. More will follow later on organizing civil disobedience.
3. The Wrench in the Machinery of Government
A. Physical - Roads and bridges can be blocked by slow or stalled cars.
B. Electronic - Computer networks, telecommunications can be adversely affected [10,000 people calling government offices at the same time can paralyze the system].
C. Psychological - Photos can be taken of police and military personnel who become involved in violent action against peaceful demonstrators. Available now are miniature video cameras that can be worn inconspicuously and send live feed to distant computers. At a time and place of your choosing, their names can be revealed; those security officers involved in non-democratic violence against demonstrators can be compromised. Their names and photos can be publicized, leading to fear and a sense of insecurity.
4. Violence - Only to defend one's life.
A. Armed resistance to non-democratic police and military actions is not the best course of action, since the military, police and security services will always be stronger and better equipped.
B. Open revolt against authority. Democracies are primarily based on voluntary compliance with the legal system. When that democracy ceases to govern in the best interests of its citizenry, for its security and survival, then it is lawful and justified to resist authority. This includes refusing to pay taxes, violating illegal orders of the non-democratic army, etc.
C. Mass demonstrations, including the right of self-defense, are meant to intimidate the police and the government. The horrible vision of civil war will restrain the government. Knowing that the Zionist Right will not physically resist gives the government strength to pursue suicidal policies. The policy of not striking back at the Left (as experienced during the "Season") begun in the pre-state days by Menachem Begin has had the effect of emasculating the Right in its relations with the Left.
Strategy
While it is preferable to wage a non-violent campaign, there are certain lessons one can learn from the Israel Defense Forces.
1. Most important: do not give the enemy time to rest and re-group. The IDF always advances in one massive push to victory, never allowing the enemy a respite. The same must be true of the demonstrations against Sharon. It is a mistake to agree to a truce. The time will be used to organize special police units, including female police officers, to handle demonstrators. The government has already learned that reservists do not like this heartrending, undemocratic task.
2. Attack in many places at once, causing physical and psychological stress on the enemy. Demonstrators should not just take over hills in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, but should take over government offices from Eilat to Metulla. Roads should be blocked all over the country. In Jerusalem, with its many government offices and a supportive religious population, it should be possible to create and sustain chaos.
Conclusion
Half measures will not work. Either we want to bring down this government or we don't. You can not be both meat and milk. It was the IDF's failure to destroy the Intifada that led to much of our trouble. Remember the principle of vaccinations: a tiny dose of the disease allows the body to build its immune system. Half-measures allow Sharon to develop a resistance to the demonstrations. We must take the momentum and build continuously to the day of victory. The decision is ours.
Under the Nazis, the Jews of Warsaw numbered over 500,000. They were depleted with regular deportations aided by the Judenrat (Jewish leaders). The revolt in Warsaw began when the Jewish population was down to 50,000 (or 90% murdered). At what point is it okay to rebel? When is civil disobedience okay? When is civil war a better course than suicide? All throughout history there have been rebels and loyalists. History is usually written by the victors, but truly there is seldom a universally accepted moral standard as to what is a proper rebellion and what is not. We can say with absolute certainty, however, that the Jewish return to Zion and our struggle today for Eretz Yisrael are more righteous than any other struggle for national liberation in the history of the world.
The Jews of Judea, Samaria and Gaza must not be passive pawns in the political surrender of their homes. The defeatist Israeli leaders, who have surrendered our Jewish rights to Eretz Yisrael, should be told that there are still proud Jews in Judea, Samaria and Gaza who will give up neither their inheritance from Abraham, nor their right of self-defense. The brave heroes of Zion must not limit themselves to passive civil disobedience, but must be on the offensive. My friends, it is way past time to mount an active civil disobedience campaign that will be celebrated by future generations as the Maccabees are today.
While such internal Jewish conflict would be dreadful, it is a consequence of the government's disregard for the security and wellbeing of its citizens. At this great time of trial and apocalyptic threat, the safeguarding of the future of the Jewish people's right to Eretz Yisrael must take precedence.