FEATURED JOBS
It would be callous this week to write about Jewish topics beyond the 2008-2009 Gaza War.
One of the many fascinating aspects is the tortured and even apologetic approach many American Jews are taking to the newest round of fighting in a conflict whose modern outbreak began in earnest in the riots of the 1920s.
I can relate to the twisted emotions felt by so many here. How can anyone be anything other than heartbroken when seeing videos and photos of Palestinian children and families maimed and killed in the Israeli attacks? At the same time, how can any logical person say Israel’s massive counter-offensive was not justified? (What would, by the way, be considered a “proportionate response” to 6,500 rockets and mortars hurtling toward your civilians in about three years?)
Herein lies the difficulty for many American Jews: We are caught in the dilemma of wanting to strongly defend Israel’s actions while not sounding cavalier about the realities of Palestinian suffering. It is a difficult line to walk indeed. And if you are speaking with someone who has little background in the topic, it is even harder.
Thus, one understands the calls for an immediate ceasefire as well as allegations of stopping the “cycle of violence” while cringing at the news footage or radio reports.
One person who unknowingly has helped me is Rabbi Levi Weiman-Kelman of Kol HaShema in Jerusalem – a liberal congregation. He recently wrote “A Jew’s Prayer for the children of Gaza.” http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1052871.html
All it does is ask for the protection of children. It’s that simple. It captures the sentiments of many of us. I obviously add to it prayers for the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces and the State of Israel.
So let us rally around Israel, which really is fighting a frontline action against Islamic terrorism/fundamentalism that if unchecked will eventually topple Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and more in the most violent of ways.
But let us also not hold back voicing our concerns for the Palestinians who – once again – are at the whim of unrepentant terrorist thugs who put many more millions of dollars into buying missiles than into updating classrooms and economic infrastructures.
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