As we get close to the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the United States, imagine a movement here in the USA, with strong and insistent global backing, demanding the United States apologize to all Muslims. That we also sacrifice four million of our own people, as Al Qaeda’s goal is to avenge the death of four million Muslims it claims the United States has murdered, and pay restitution to the Muslims as the Germans did for Holocaust survivors.
We are already required to pay homage to Islam, be very careful in what we say, write or illustrate lest we offend. Cartoons about Moses and Jesus may be met with disdain by many but any reference to Mohammed is met with threats of death by Islamic Extremists as has been witnessed.
Strange indeed that I do not remember the United States of America ever being or aspiring to be a Muslim nation. Instead, I recall individuals and organizations championing the separation of Church and State and even more pronouncedly our rights and freedoms under our Constitution.
Imagine a call, here and abroad, by Americans and others, demanding we reach terms with Al Qaeda and accede to the latter’s demands. Watching people going to the streets in protest against our government unwillingness and stubbornness to achieve a lasting peace with Al Qaeda: Passionate and praiseworthy or disdainful?
Republicans and conservatives would ultimately be blamed for demanding we be strong, at the expense of the numerous victims. All Americans be at fault as we stand accused our might is used against Al Qaeda’s innocent freedom fighters, liberators of the oppressed world and defenders of Islam. Ignoring the real intent of Al Qaeda’s stated objectives to cripple our economy and establish an Islamic extreme Shariah law in the USA, it is our responsibility – we will be told – to promote and accept these demands.
Oh, those wonderful freedom fighters. They use airplanes as weapons. They attack people in buses, subways, shopping centers, auditoriums and places of worship; but we the people are at fault. We do not want peace.
It is they, the David, against us, the Goliath. We Americans are to them the most corrupt superpower, infused with imperialist and colonialist objectives. We dictate to the world what to do, enticing others with money, drugs or firearms, rape women and enslave men and cruelly use children for experiments. What peaceful means can they possibly resort to using, a benign biological agent? Some horrible disease? A nuclear bomb?
Does this all sound ludicrous to you? It will sound very real in a chat room among those planning to topple the USA. It sounded very real when a young Jewish American journalist was beheaded for the world to see. It sounded right in a place where the leader of the BDS movement against Israel spoke in Los Angeles and blamed local Angelenos of stealing the land and building the Ritz Carlton and the expanded Staples Center on occupied land.
I thought of good Americans who call themselves “Liberals” and “Progressives,” championing civil rights and social justice, working to end the “Occupation” in the West Bank and Gaza, fighting to achieve Israel’s withdrawal to the 1967 borders (or thereabout) since they believe it is in Israel’s best interest in order to ensure it continues as a Jewish and Democratic state.
Funny, but the logic does not work. Israel withdrawing from Judea and Samaria (like the withdrawal some five years ago from Gaza) will lead to what? The same process all over again. After all, it is inconceivable to have Jews it the Middle East. The very idea of Jewish presence, of a single country for the Jews is RACIST.
Anyone think the current so-called “state of Apartheid” will end when the Jews withdraw to the 1967 borders? Well, it is really the 1949 armistice line, or possibly the 1947 situation, all these “peace activists” are trying to achieve. The PA and Hamas, much like Al Qaeda, are very clear in their objectives: There must not be any Israel. Every realist sees how good it is in Israel; so much so it greatly disturbs Israel’s enemies. Rather than emulate, they fight Western, modern-day progress.
Yet, American Jews refuse to listen or see. They are determined to force Israel to do what they want, “for Israel’s own sake” of course. Otherwise, there is a threat of demography, they say. Otherwise, we will eventually become either a real “Apartheid” state or stop being Jewish and Democratic.
They care and worry so much for Israel they in fact demand to be heard, to be a viable alternative to the regular discourse (which goes along the lines: Israel has a right to exist as a Jewish state in the Land of Israel, and we have to support its government) under the guise of “Pro-Israel, Pro-Peace.”
Those who are truly “Pro-Israel, Pro-Peace,” i.e. all Israelis from all portions of the political spectrum, Orthodox American Jews and the Christian Right, want nothing more than peace. However, their vision of a lasting “Peace” includes Israel as part of the equation.
All others put the responsibility solely on Israel’s shoulders. Israel needs to withdraw, understand, accept, reconcile, extend a hand, stop being stubborn, and, oh yes cease to exist. This is a wonderful vision of peace: NO MORE ISRAEL. NO MORE JEWS, the Final-Final Solution. That would end the conflict once and for all.
Mistake not: Discourse and divergence are positive, as long as we share a basic understanding. It goes along the lines: I (the USA or Israel) have a right to exist. My enemies will have peace when they put down their arms, not a moment earlier. I come with good intentions, the most positive and honorable intent. My enemies want to see my destruction. That I will not permit.
Putting all the blame on Israel and demanding nothing from the Palestinians is tantamount to blaming the 9/11/2001 attacks on America and demanding the USA apologize and pay reparations. I, for one, refuse to do that. It is convoluted and repulsive. Likewise, to expect Israel to surrender to the Palestinians will only bring further destruction and harm to the Western World. For Israel is just a canary in the coalmine, and that mine is about to implode with all the explosives laid by our enemies within and without.
Do not be confused by slick arguments concerning Israel’s responsibility (“it is good for her wellbeing”) toward bringing about peace. This goal is exactly what Israel has been trying to achieve with her neighbors for the past century. Ask what the other side is contributing to this lofty goal. You will discover immediately there is none: no responsibility, no obligation, and no accountability. Just talk, cheap, consistent and without backing or substance.
