Zionism Forums - Zionist and Israel discussion

[Wendy]

A nice article that sums up many arguments for and positive associations with Zionism. --Wendy

Danbury Newstimes
Sunday, September 4th
Op-ed by Rabbi Shaul Marshall Praver,
Congregation Adath Israel, Newtown, CT

Zionism is Beautiful

The Talmud says, "When good will exists amongst brethren, both can
dwell together even on the razor thin edge of a sword, but when good
will does not exist amongst them, even the full expanse of the earth
lacks sufficient space to contain them."

Israel", "Jew" and "Zionism" are beautiful words. Yet repetitive
racial slurs concerning these words make them sound ugly and
pejorative.

Zionism means scorched desert wastelands transformed into magnificent
gardens and green farm lands. Zionism means oppressed downtrodden
Jews becoming uplifted and able to affirm their continuity from
Biblical times. Zionism means Jews living proudly once again in their
ancient homeland. Zionism means the collective creativity of Jews of
every ethnicity coming together to build a free civilization.

Zionism means the opportunity to enact an ancient dream that will not
die. Zionism means establishing a modern civilization that shares a
messianic vision of making earth a little more like Heaven. Zionism
means sharing Israeli's blessings with the world.

Zionism is not Racism. Jews come in every race and ethnicity.
Zionism is not an apartheid State: While Jews are the Majority in
Israel, Arabs vote and are represented in the Israeli government.
Zionism is not Colonialism: Jews won the war of Independence against
the British colonists and lay claim to only Israel.

Furthermore, Israel is no more a racist state for creating a haven
for Jews then Saudi Arabia is a racist state for creating a haven for
Arabs. Whosoever points an accusing finger toward Israel in this
regard will find four fingers pointing back at them, because Israel
is a democratic state where freedom of religion is enjoyed by a
multitude of ethnic groups. Charges of racism are empty and
inflammatory.

Jews are willing to share their land with the Palestinians. But
peace also depends upon the willingness of Palestinians to share
their land with the Jews. Please ask yourself a basic question: If
Israel laid down her weapons and retired her army, navy and air
force, how long do you think it would take for Israel to be conquered
by Muslims? Days? Weeks? Or Months?

Now, ask yourself the question in reverse. If all of Israel's
neighbors laid down their weapons in the same manner, is it likely
Israel would attempt to conquer Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon
and Saudi Arabia? I believe honest answers to these questions clarify
the essence of the conflict. Namely that only one party seeks the
destruction of the other.

Israel has suffered many horrible terrorist attacks in restaurants,
hotels, city buses, trains, beaches, streets, universities, school
buses, highways, banks, grocery stores, private homes, kibbutzim,
parks, caves and fields. And if, God forbid, these same attacks
occurred in the United States, our military would respond with
decisive force and alacrity. Losing such a war on terrorism would be
tantamount to losing one's country and losing one's very
civilization; it is not an option.

For half a century, Palestinians have professed an interest in
acquiring a state of their own. Several attempts to grant
Palestinians their wish were made, starting with the 1948 U.N.
Partition Plan and concluding with the offer made by former Israeli
Prime Minister Barak in 2001 at Taba, 98% of the requested land -
including east Jerusalem, as per Yassir Arafat's request - was
offered. But, even that offer was answered with war. For many, it
would seem that Barak called Arafat's bluff; revealing the peace
process to be a process of war.

Due to these harsh realities, the Sharon administration has pursued
the building of a security fence and has just completed the
disengagement of all the Jewish communities from Gaza. Yet, a million
Arabs live in Israel and enjoy democratic rights and freedoms. Is
this fair? Why can't Jews live under the Palestinian flag just as
Arabs live under the Israeli flag? The Sharon administration say it's
a practical matter; Israel no longer wishes to deploy its Army to
defend a small number of Gaza Jews. But wait! Stop! Think! Is there
a need for a Palestinian Army to protect Israeli Arabs? No! Israeli
Arabs need no protection; they are safe as citizens of Israel.

Israelis simply want peace and would much prefer spending their time,
tending their gardens, doing art, finding a cure for cancer,
composing and performing world class music, and inventing more
incredible bio-pharmaceuticals and computer technology. Real time
internet applications, cellular telephones, color printing are just a
few examples of the technology developed in Israel. There is so much
brainpower and creative energy emanating from Israelís diverse ethnic
population that benefits every person on the planet. Yet even at a
time that Israel pursues territorial concessions for the sake of
peace, many people lack the ability to say even a few kind words.
I will say to them then, "Zionism is Beautiful!"

Rabbi Shaul Praver
Congregation Adath Israel, Newtown, CT
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