Israel: Cigarette-pack-Warning

Israel voted yet again: fourth general elections within two years. Of the parties represented in the Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, only three oppose Israeli occupation of the West-Bank: two Arab parties and Meretz, the one small remnant of Israel’s “left-wing”. Together they amount to 13.3% (16 members) of the Knesset.

 

Cigarette-pack-Warning: Boycotting Israel because of this shameful reality is considered by many to be antisemitic.  

Six Days – Fifty Years

I remember the 5^th of June of 50 years ago. I remember the build-up of worry and existential fear during the waiting period preceding Israel’s pre-emptive strike. I remember the immense relief, produced by the quick victory, and I also remember the feeling of exhilaration brought about by the booty: Jerusalem, Sinai, the West Bank and the Golan Heights. I don’t think anyone considered Gaza as booty.

But, I also remember that it was very quickly clear to some that the occupation would morally destroy us: It has.  

Can Israel change the sick and self-destructive course on which it has embarked 50 years ago? It does not look promising.

Merkel II

She can’t be flawless and indeed, her Israel policy is flawed. It is the result of her profound awareness of German guilt for Jewish death that translates into German responsibility for Jewish life, be it in Germany or in Israel.

During Netanyahu’s recent visit to Berlin, Merkel astonishingly said that “now is not the time for a significant step forward.” When will the right time come?

Ms. Merkel is wasting the leverage, which the supply of u-boats to Israel could have given Germany. This is where guilt produces bad policy. Indeed, what Israel needs, what Israel’s security needs even more than u-boats, is pressure to get out of the occupied territories. Without external pressure it will not be able to get out of the pernicious spiral into which occupation has propelled it.

Israel I

Just back from a short visit to Israel. Tel Aviv, a wonderful city to enjoy, has a vibrant cultural life, great beaches, restaurants and bars and is generally fun to be in. However, can one avoid the question whether it is morally right to enjoy life in Tel Aviv whilst at the same time one is responsible for the evils carried out as an occupying power? 

Years ago, during the first days of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, when it was not at all clear that we would manage to stop the Egyptian and Syrian attack, I was walking along the beach in Tel Aviv and I remember a feeling of envy. I envied the foreign diplomats, whose embassies dot the beach line. They were in the same physical danger as we were but I envied them for the fact that nobody wanted to attack them, nobody wanted to kill them, get rid of them, push them into the sea. It was not their shit. 

I now find myself in a similar position. Could it be that the way to enjoy life in Israel is not to be an Israeli? Foreigners can have the fun without the burden of responsibility.