Given the ongoing debate on Israel, which has yet again flared up in recent weeks, I feel it necessary to use my space here to attend to the needs of those thirsty for information on the subject through an exploration and informative examination of the facts at hand. The Israeli-Palestinian issue certainly has its fair share of misinformation, distorted facts and double truths, of which I find the task of correcting far too daunting for the few inches I have been given. I intend, however, to make an attempt to scratch the surface of what is really going on in the Holy Land, set opinions on the right track and make clear who is who and what causes what in this tumultuously violent, yet ultimately revered portion of the globe.
Israel has existed for 55 years. During this time, it has withstood the test of numerous wars. One such war occurred directly after it’s independence was declared, when Israel was least prepared both financially and militarily. This war was waged on Israel by all of its surrounding countries in an attempt to destroy the Jewish State before its establishment could take root. Israel prevailed in this war, and remembers it in history as the War of Independence. The surrounding Arab nations refer to it as al-Naqba, or “The Tragedy.”
Violence continued against the Israelis after their independence was declared and then won through victory in the war brought against them. For years, Israelis attempted to continue cultivating the land, the economy and the country through agriculture, construction, business ventures and hard work. Immigrants flocked to the land to seek refuge for their persecuted kind. They came seeking safety, opportunity and a connection to the history of a land they believed their ancestors had lived in thousands of years ago when they had come seeking refuge.
In 1964, life got more difficult for Israel’s citizens when an Egyptian-born Palestinian civil engineer created the first terrorist group in opposition to them. Fatah, Yasser Arafat’s group, began to set up training camps throughout the Middle East and carry out acts of violence against innocent Israelis. Arafat’s philosophy was “no compromise”.
In addition to the new violence and atrocities, which began with Fatah, the Egyptian army began amassing a large military presence along Israel’s southwestern border. When the situation intensified, Israel had no choice but to take military action to bring its borders back under control. When Jordan entered the war, Israel had had to defend itself on that front as well. The Syrians also joined the war when the Soviets told them falsely that Israel had concentrated forces along the Israel-Syria border with intent to invade.
Despite the multi-front war, Israel prevailed. When Israel won the war, it gave back a large amount of its newly gained territory in exchange for peace. Israel had won the land through legitimate military action, which was initiated for justifiable preemptive reasons, but returned most of the land anyway.
Israel was attacked again in 1973, this time by surprise on the holiest day of the year for Jews. When nearly every Jew in Israel was in synagogue, worshiping God and fasting for Yom Kippur, they were forced to mobilize and defend their country, again on many fronts. Israel again prevailed, although it withstood significant losses.
Two Intifadas, or Palestinian uprisings, have occurred since that war. Israel has withstood significant terrorist activity against its population. Each time the Israel Defense Forces attacks a terrorist target (a military target), the response is violence and terror against innocent Israeli civilians. When Israelis die, many say it is the fault of Israelis because the Israelis attacked those who kill them blindly. Israel continues to live and to thrive; it’s citizens attempt to move on with daily life, although one never knows when a call on his cell phone is going to bring news of a dead family member or friend, killed at the hands of terrorists with the sole aspiration of murdering as many as possible.
So now that the facts have been adequately presented, I hope that more informed opinions will surface. Of course, I cannot mention everything in this column, but I believe I have presented the essential facts in truly understanding the nature of Israel, its status and its legitimacy. I hope my readers will agree.
