Letters From (Or About) H'Aretz [The Land (of Israel)]
Through the ministry of Beth Roay Tov, I enjoy several opportunities to meet different people, in different settings. For the most part, these encounters are pleasant and I have learned so much about the curiosity that people have about things Jewish - whether it is about the Scriptures, or about the traditions or about the nation of Israel itself.
On the other hand, I sometimes encounter individuals who are very much against anything Jewish and, in particular, speak strongly against the nation of Israel itself, based (usually) on media accounts of what is going on - or at least - on that media's generally biased reporting of what they choose to present to us here in North America about what is happening.
Please understand - It has never been my intention to use this ministry for 'politcial' purposes. Indeed it is still not any part of our mandate here at BRT today. The odd time, however, I feel some things need to be addressed because they may have an effect on the opinions of the Community of Faith which we serve, and our interaction with that community. This is one of those times.
On the other hand, I sometimes encounter individuals who are very much against anything Jewish and, in particular, speak strongly against the nation of Israel itself, based (usually) on media accounts of what is going on - or at least - on that media's generally biased reporting of what they choose to present to us here in North America about what is happening.
Please understand - It has never been my intention to use this ministry for 'politcial' purposes. Indeed it is still not any part of our mandate here at BRT today. The odd time, however, I feel some things need to be addressed because they may have an effect on the opinions of the Community of Faith which we serve, and our interaction with that community. This is one of those times.
It is impossible to deny that there is much unrest in the Middle East.
This unrest is neither new, nor (therefore) should it be surprising. Certainly, we cannot forecast that it will soon come to an end. What does seem to be on the increase in the Faith Community is the negative opinions around the whole issue, and in particular, feelings about Israel's supposed place in the midst of the turmoil.
One wonders if there will ever be an end to the turbulence in the area around the Mediterranean Sea. This past year has seen more uprisings, revolts, and political upheavals than what could be considered anyone's 'fair share'. Certainly we cannot turn our backs on these nations, nor pretend there is nothing going on - nor can we say to the world, "There, there, everything will be just fine". Such platitudes do nothing but increase the angst. I think, at this point at least, the best thing for us as 'onlookers' is to uphold all the Middle East nations in our prayers, to uphold the leaders of all nations involved, both directly and indirectly, that they will consider all their actions and responses carefully, not acting in haste but with wisdom and caution. I also we need to pray for ourselves as we hear more and more reports of the disturbances. One thing definitely we should be praying for - for ourselves - is to ask Elohim to keep us from both cynicism and from any prejudiced viewpoint fostered by the media or in our circles of 'friends' - particularly against Israel.
One wonders if there will ever be an end to the turbulence in the area around the Mediterranean Sea. This past year has seen more uprisings, revolts, and political upheavals than what could be considered anyone's 'fair share'. Certainly we cannot turn our backs on these nations, nor pretend there is nothing going on - nor can we say to the world, "There, there, everything will be just fine". Such platitudes do nothing but increase the angst. I think, at this point at least, the best thing for us as 'onlookers' is to uphold all the Middle East nations in our prayers, to uphold the leaders of all nations involved, both directly and indirectly, that they will consider all their actions and responses carefully, not acting in haste but with wisdom and caution. I also we need to pray for ourselves as we hear more and more reports of the disturbances. One thing definitely we should be praying for - for ourselves - is to ask Elohim to keep us from both cynicism and from any prejudiced viewpoint fostered by the media or in our circles of 'friends' - particularly against Israel.
Even as I prepare this material, I received a report today, (2012.01.09)
which stated that American troops were entering Israel this week in order to carry on a long term "training exercise" which will help in curbing any further onslaught of the daily, (even hourly) rocket attacks into Israel and in being prepared for nuclear attack from any neighbouring nation.
With theses things in mind, I would like to share with our readers a few excerpts from some letters which came into my possession this past fall. It is my hope to at least present a few thoughts from these writings which will perhaps bring out a different way of looking at Israel, and her situation in the Middle East..
With theses things in mind, I would like to share with our readers a few excerpts from some letters which came into my possession this past fall. It is my hope to at least present a few thoughts from these writings which will perhaps bring out a different way of looking at Israel, and her situation in the Middle East..
The first letter came to me as an article printed and circulated by an
organization based in Israel. I get electronic newsletters from them regularly. I don't now how this group came to have this particular letter, but I think you will agree that it's theme is worth considering. The author (Dr. Denis MacEoin) is responding to actions taken by some of the students at Edinburgh University. They had inititated a "boycott of all things Israeli since they claim Israel is under an Apartheid Regime". The auther is not Jewish, nor Israeli. He claims to be a graduate of Edinburgh and Cambridge Universities (where he studied Persian, Arabic and Islamic History) and is (at the time of writing) a professor of Arabic and Islamic studies at Newcastle University. He is thus "well informed in Middle Eastern affairs..." as he puts it.
The author begins by pointing out that there "is not, and has never
been a system of Apartheid in Israel." He points out that in Israel, Arab citizens have "exactly the same rights as Jews or anyone else; Muslims have the same rights as Jews or Christians; and Baha'is, [who are] severely persecuted in Iran, ... where they are forbidden to study in any university..., flourish in Israel." [Indeed, I have seen the amazingly beautiful Baha'i World Centre in Haifa, near Mount Carmel myself / bdp.]
"Ahmadi Muslims,...persecuted in Pakistan and elsewhere, are kept safe by Israel; the holy places of all religions are protected under a specific Israeli law. Arabs in Israel can go anywhere they want, unlike blacks [in the former] Apartheid South Africa. They use public transport, they eat in restaurants, they go to swimming pools, they use libraries, they go to cinemas alongside Jews." The author indicates that many of these things are denied to Muslims and other groups in other nations.
Dr. MacEoin continues: "Israeli hospitals not only treat Jews and Arabs, they also treat Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank, on the same wards and in the same operating theatres. Israeli women have the same rights as men, there is no gender Apartheid. Gay men and women face no restrictions and Palestinian gays often escape into Israel, knowing they may be killed at home. It seems bizarre to me", the professor states, "that LGBT groups call for a boycott of Israel [while other nations] may stone or even hang gay men." Indeed, it seems that Israel is the ONLY Middle East courntry "that rescues and protects gay" men and women. In fact, the author points out that Israel does seem to stand alone as a democracy in the Middle East.
In his letter, MacEoin flags many of the erroneous suppositions of those who would try to motivate these protests and boycotts. He challenges them about information they put forward regarding a "holocaust in Gaza", saying "No honest historian would treat that claim with anything but the contempt it deserves." They are simply trying to "subvert historical fact", he concludes.
"Ahmadi Muslims,...persecuted in Pakistan and elsewhere, are kept safe by Israel; the holy places of all religions are protected under a specific Israeli law. Arabs in Israel can go anywhere they want, unlike blacks [in the former] Apartheid South Africa. They use public transport, they eat in restaurants, they go to swimming pools, they use libraries, they go to cinemas alongside Jews." The author indicates that many of these things are denied to Muslims and other groups in other nations.
Dr. MacEoin continues: "Israeli hospitals not only treat Jews and Arabs, they also treat Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank, on the same wards and in the same operating theatres. Israeli women have the same rights as men, there is no gender Apartheid. Gay men and women face no restrictions and Palestinian gays often escape into Israel, knowing they may be killed at home. It seems bizarre to me", the professor states, "that LGBT groups call for a boycott of Israel [while other nations] may stone or even hang gay men." Indeed, it seems that Israel is the ONLY Middle East courntry "that rescues and protects gay" men and women. In fact, the author points out that Israel does seem to stand alone as a democracy in the Middle East.
In his letter, MacEoin flags many of the erroneous suppositions of those who would try to motivate these protests and boycotts. He challenges them about information they put forward regarding a "holocaust in Gaza", saying "No honest historian would treat that claim with anything but the contempt it deserves." They are simply trying to "subvert historical fact", he concludes.
The author states that "We are going through the biggest upheaval
in the Middle East since the 7th and 8th centuries." He also points out that he does "not object to well-documented criticism of Israel" for- as he intimates - no country is perfect. The professor concludes his note with some instructions for those who find protesting Israel a good thing to do, suggesting they re-think their actions.
The second letter I received as a forward from a friend of mine. It
begins with some personal greetings from the original recipients - the American parents of a young man born in Brooklyn and now living in Israel. He was aged 25 years at the time of writing (no date is visible on the letter). The writer (Aron) begins his explanation of why he is writing the note by saying that he is a full time paramedic in Magen David Adom, (The EMS service in Israel). At night, he is a law student. He also explains that once in a while he is called up to do reserve duty with the Israeli Defense Forces.
"About 15-20 days out of every year, I am called up to the Israeli Army
to do my reserve duty. I serve as a paramedic in an IDF paratrooper unit". He continues by listing some of the "ordinary" people in his unit - a 58 year old father of 4 and grandfather of 2; a banker, an engineer; a holistic healer, [among others].
"This year our reserve unit was stationed on the border between Israel, Egypt and the Gaza Strip in an area called 'Kerem Shalom' [Vineyard of Peace/bdp] [The reader can Google 'Kerem Shalom' for more information and photos/bdp] "This year," Aron continues, "we were confronted with a new challenge."
It seems that this border crossing sees a lot of refugees fleeing from the atrocities being handed out in Darfur in Africa. What started out as a trickle of refugees has led to a burgeoning industry in human trafficking. The author reports that there are numerous stories of atrocities suffered by the refugees even along the way - extortion, rape, murder and organ theft are more common than we might be able to imagine. Upon arrival at the border between Egypt and Israel, they are met by barbed wire fences and live ammunition being shot at them as they attempt the "death run" to safety in Israel. "Egypt's soldiers are ordered to shoot to kill anyone trying to cross the border out of Egypt and into Israel." The author points out that this is an almost nightly event.
For these refugees, the first Israelis they encounter are the soldiers on post duty. The IDF is "tasked with a primary mission of defending the lives of the Israeli people." Even so, these refugees know "they will be treated with more respect [by the Israelis] than in any of the countries they crossed to get to this point."
"This year our reserve unit was stationed on the border between Israel, Egypt and the Gaza Strip in an area called 'Kerem Shalom' [Vineyard of Peace/bdp] [The reader can Google 'Kerem Shalom' for more information and photos/bdp] "This year," Aron continues, "we were confronted with a new challenge."
It seems that this border crossing sees a lot of refugees fleeing from the atrocities being handed out in Darfur in Africa. What started out as a trickle of refugees has led to a burgeoning industry in human trafficking. The author reports that there are numerous stories of atrocities suffered by the refugees even along the way - extortion, rape, murder and organ theft are more common than we might be able to imagine. Upon arrival at the border between Egypt and Israel, they are met by barbed wire fences and live ammunition being shot at them as they attempt the "death run" to safety in Israel. "Egypt's soldiers are ordered to shoot to kill anyone trying to cross the border out of Egypt and into Israel." The author points out that this is an almost nightly event.
For these refugees, the first Israelis they encounter are the soldiers on post duty. The IDF is "tasked with a primary mission of defending the lives of the Israeli people." Even so, these refugees know "they will be treated with more respect [by the Israelis] than in any of the countries they crossed to get to this point."
Aron relates a story which he experienced personally. "At 9:00 pm
last night, the first reports came in of gunfire heard from the Egyptian border. Minutes later, IDF scouts spotted small groups of people trying to get across the fence. In the period of about one hour, we picked up 13 men, - cold, barefoot, dehydrated - some wearing nothing except underpants. Their bodies were covered with lacerations and other wounds. We gathered them in a room, gave them blankets, tea and treated their wounds. I don't speak a word of their language, but the look on their faces said it all and reminded me once again why I am so proud to be a Jew and an Israeli. Sadly, it was later determined that the gunshots [ had been] fatal, killing three other people fleeing for their lives..."
Aron goes on: "The refugees flooding into Israel are heavy burden on
our small country. More than 100,000 refugees have fled this way, and hundreds more cross the border every month. The social, economic and humanitarian issues created by this flood of refugees are immense. There are serious security consequences for Israel as well. This influx of African refugees poses a crisis for Israel. [We] have yet to come up with the solutions required to deal with this crisis effectively, balancing its sensitive social economic and security issues at the same time striving to care for the refugees... I am writing to tell you, and the entire world, what's really happening down here at the Egyptian/Israeli border. And to tell you that despite all the serious problems created by this national crisis, these refugees have nothing to fear. Israel has not looked the other way. The State of Israel has put politics aside to take the ethical and humane path as it has so often before."
Editor's Note:
It strikes me that we need to watch more carefully and consider more astutely what news comes out of Israel. These are stories and accounts which we won't find on CNN or even CBC most likely. I think it behooves us to take a more positive stand alongside Israel - the source of such moral and ethical standards as the Ten Commandments - the basis of our own legal system - to see them as the only democracy in the midst of a sea of fanaticism and terrorism at worst, and at the very least, a sea of misinformation expounded by a seemingly biased media.
In closing, may I add: "Let us Pray for the Peace of Yerushalayim...
(And all Israel). The Psalmist writes for us: "Pray for the peace of Yerushalayim; May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels. For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, 'Peace be within you, for the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity" (122:6-9)
He also writes: "Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Yerushalayim, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore... do Good, O Lord, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart... Peace be upon Israel." (125:1,2 and 5b) AMEN !!
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He also writes: "Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Yerushalayim, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore... do Good, O Lord, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart... Peace be upon Israel." (125:1,2 and 5b) AMEN !!
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