|
Page 2 of 3
It was quickly pointed out to him that his reasoning flew in the face of logic - "so you're saying that the worse Israel behaves, the less you're allowed to criticise it" - to which he could only concur. Accepting that his stance was long on emotions and short on rationale, he shrugged as though to say "yeah, but this is Israel we're talking about..." And that's the essence of the problem. The seemingly moral, rational and fair individuals who I've grown up around in the Jewish community suddenly suspend their quest for truth and reason when it comes to the Holy Land. And it'll blow up in our faces if we carry on this way.
For a start, we'll lose the trust of the international community if we continue trying to defend the indefensible. Instead of trying to turn the spotlight away from Israel and onto the enemies who surround us, it's time we acknowledged that Israel itself is far from blameless in the current conflict. It doesn't mean that we are being traitors, or playing into the hands of our foes - far from it. Instead, it would show that we are worthy partners for a process of understanding and peace, since we are able to put rational arguments above emotional ones, and place truth on a higher level of importance than "loyalty".
I'm not comfortable with the argument that those loyal to Israel shouldn't criticise it, as I have been taught over and over during my formative years (although, fortunately, not at home). Loyalty does not mean turning a blind eye - the "spare the rod..." concept is central to my uneasiness. If we do not take the opportunity to educate Israel whilst it is growing up, we'll be left with a wild, unruly adult version in 50 years' time, totally oblivious to critique or censure - which many would argue Israel already is today. Secondly, British Jews should open their eyes and see that plenty of Israelis have absolutely no problem slagging off their own government and military without a second thought. Homegrown Israelis don't hush up their doubts over policies just because they're scared that the world is watching. Quite the opposite, in fact. They know that a public show of opposition to, say, house demolitions by the army, or the construction of the security fence, are in fact a great opportunity to show the world that not all Israelis think and act the same.
|
