Orchestrated Ignorance

                           

United we stand, divided we fall...not just words but an offensive strategy.  I am constantly surprised by the lack of knowledge regarding Israel in the so-called Zionist camps outside of Israel.

Though I am not surprised by the orchestrated ignorance running amok among various congregations and communities allying themselves with the likes of J-Street and the New Israel Fund, I am very disturbed by this increasingly common characteristic among those who identify themselves with the Pro Zionist movements, even more so by those who study our holy scriptures and claim identity with our land.

The term I used as the title, "orchestrated ignorance" was chosen because today many of the truths regarding the conflict in Israel, specifically in our historic heartland of Judea and Samaria, are kept strategically hidden. Indeed, many of the historic truths that are read aloud every Saturday, or studied in Hebrew or Sunday schools are not identified with what today is branded as disputed territory.

In fact, the chances of hell freezing over is almost equivalent to the possibility of an unbiased trip to Israel’s heartland made by the less religiously affiliated or Conservative and Reform Jewish groups – a trip which would show our historic and present connection to areas such as Hebron and Shilo. 

Thus, keeping as many as our people ignorant as possible, or more accurate... misinformed, serves our enemies quite well by reducing the numbers of those outside of Israel who might otherwise support the Jewish state with fervor…an understandable strategy to say the least.

Sadly this strategy has an aftertaste resulting in too many cases of assimilation and extinction of a number of Jewish families.

The consequences of orchestrated ignorance are felt every day. In this world where hatred against Israel grows daily, fueled by constant misinformation, petrol dollars and good old hatred, this great divide is one of our true adversaries.

Fighting it must remain among the top of our challenges, the battle against it must be ruthless, one that must be won.

During my many excursions overseas where I have the opportunity to meet with the children and grandchildren of the many friends I have made, it has become sadly evident that this generation (living outside of Israel) may be the last that actually supports a Jewish presence in our heartland of Judea and Samaria. 

Young adults attending trips to Israel organized by Conservative, Reform and other supposed main stream Jewish groups, will not step foot over the 1949 armistice line, more popularly known as the "Green Line", (except for the customary trip to Ein Gedi), and as a result are indoctrinated against a Jewish existence there.  "Gap year" religious students rarely make an effort to forge a connection and their host "Yeshivas" often cultivate a mistaken picture of fear by stating that it is too dangerous to travel to the "West Bank", better to frequent the bars of Jerusalem.

Thus, it appears that we may be witnessing the last Jewish stance for our continued presence in our historical homeland...unless we ALL do something about this.

The enemies of our continued existence in our heartland are quite focused.  Their funding is not going towards the building of new institutions, feeding the destitute of Israel, or any other issue that may enhance the quality of life.  It is being directed at creating a wedge in our people, a wedge not only to separate us from our land, but to also separate us as a people.

Funding is used to demonize IDF soldiers, to divest from Israel, to provoke violence, and to manipulate the truth and simple facts.

The irony is that most of this funding is under the guise of open minded thought, liberal values, and that of human rights. The camouflage used to cover the ruse would evoke the jealousy of a Navy Seal.

One recent example of this type of deception was an event that was planned to take place at the 92nd St Y in New York City. The "Y" was to host Roger Waters of Pink Floyd fame.  Dearest Roger was going to look back over his career and share with us.  The fact that Roger is a champion of the Boycott, Divest and Sanction movement against Israel apparently had been overlooked.  His constant activities against the Jewish state did not warrant a double take by the wonderful open minded folk at the "Y". At the time of this writing, the Y released the news that the event had been called off (cheers).

Further irony are the sources of the "Y"'s funding, many of whom are quite pro-Israel, and would surely heave if they knew that their hard earned money was going towards the spreading of more anti-Israel rhetoric in their own back yard.

Another touch of irony for dessert - enormous amount of funding from many lovers of Israel continues to fund anti-Israel organizations through “accepted” and mainstream organizations like the various Federations, UJA and so on, that pass on funds to organizations that hide under the facade of human rights, pluralism, and...(hahahaha), justice. Organizations like the New Israel Fund, B’tzelem, and many others out there lay in wait, preparing the ambush and attack on any entity siding with Israel. More information on such groups is available upon request.

These venues strike deadly blows to our people. While most of the adult world (over 40) just shrugs them off, dismissing them as impotent radical thought, the younger amongst us do not and they are the targeted audience. Your children, your grandchildren -- our future are considered the quality targets, and they are getting hit point blank and many of you are even funding it.

The most efficient way of fighting our enemies is to stay at least two steps ahead of them.  It must be dealt with and not, as mentioned before...shrugged off.

If Israel is to remain a Jewish State, if we are to be able to continue to live, visit and worship freely in our historical home and heartland, it will take a far more extensive and creative effort.

Being "involved" is a must. In the same vain, it can no longer be individual, but a family effort.  The battle for our existential freedom must be fought.  Time is not on our side, and neither is the world at this point.

Everyone must make that effort to be involved.  Attend Events, attend the dinners, sponsor projects, speak about the issues, and please, please, make sure you come out to visit our heartland and show our heritage, our history to your children and grandchildren.  But…BUT, make them understand the importance, and the importance it has to you, and the importance it has to all of us and our future.

 Lead by example.

Minds are being bent, opinions are being shaped, and ignorance and deviation are spreading like a virus. The time to choose your future and your family’s future is now. The choice....Yours.

Israel's future, as a home for our people, depends on our remaining in Judea and Samaria, which is where we started. We must make sure it is not where we end.

You can start with this…The Event

#$^@&*!&

The continuous barrage of Rocks, Molotov Cocktails, varied shooting attacks − the attempted infiltrations, some successful, both in the South and in Judea and Samaria − the constant battle against terror − the ongoing sabotage against our farmers and shepherds − it continues, day after day, month after month, year after year, without any end in sight.

We know the reason. It’s very simple. In fact… too simple for most to comprehend.

The Arabs do not want us here, anywhere.  

Indeed, it is a straightforward, unadorned truth.  Yet, even those who claim to be pro Israel and, dare I say…Zionists, are blind to this basic reality.

In the meantime, the savage and relentless attacks against Israel persist.

 To be sure, the IDF does what it is told to do to in response to these attacks. But, therein lays the difference. They do what they are told, not what they are capable of doing.

Whose fault is that?  It is the fault of the government, and the members of Knesset, both right wing, and left wing, “extreme” and “moderate”.  I am pained to say that many of the politicians of Israel do not care enough about Jewish life in our land, be it in the south, north or in our heartland.

No nation in this world would put up with incessant attacks upon our people and our sovereign soil the way Israel does. NO NATION SHOULD.  So why is it that our politicians sit back, giving no more than an obligatory sound bite?

Where is the outrage?

Over the years, I have dealt on “ground level” with the consequences of our politicians’ lip service,  seeing the body count rise on all sides, due to lack of action and empty words.

During the Oslo War, I observed how our soldiers and security personnel were either limited in their response or, were prevented from carrying out measures that would have saved lives − on both sides.  We see this all too often. It seems that when Jews are hurt, it serves the interests of all politicians, in our camp as well as the enemy’s.  Unfortunately, some of our left wing parties as well, rejoice when those who oppose their misguided views are attacked.

There is no excuse, no logic, and no reason sound enough, as to why Israel continues to supply the Arabs of Gaza with supplies. Evidently, however, our politicians are more concerned with world opinion than with the lives of our people. Furthermore, giving voice to our enemies from within, propping up supporters, aiders and abettors of those who wage terror against us by allowing them to remain members of Knesset, has turned the Knesset into a theater of the absurd.

In the course of my work − filling the gaps of security and medical needs, I see first hand the negligence of our government (all successive governments) in the protection of our people. I have no answer to the question I hear almost daily, “Why doesn’t the government take care of this?”

The questions as to why our lack of response to such attacks boggles the mind.  And yet again, more clowns enter the field.  The largest anti Israel body on this earth…the UN has put out a report about the “settlements”, and the affect on the Arab populous of Judea and Samaria.  Topics such as “Settler” violence, land grabs and so on, will be the subject of this bogus investigation.  And what is the response of our heroes in the halls of government?  They will not take part, and will refuse to lend a helping hand.

#%$&@%!!!!!!

Why not take part in this survey?

Show the world how Arab violence has affected OUR people. Tell the world the abundant amount of attacks that we endure, that we put up with…DAILY!!!!

Show the world that Arab violence is alive and well, and running rampant.

Show the world how lies and misinformation flood the media.

To remain silent? To react with nothing more than an ineffective tantrum?

Why not fight back? Why not hit back, and hit back hard? The facts are on our side. The truth is on our side. That none will listen, is a given. But at least fight back and fight back hard.

The era of the shtetle Jew is over, at least in Israel.  We owe nothing to anybody but to ourselves.  If our Arab neighbors and other enemies wish to live in violence by their own initiative, we should show them the path to hell.

Should they and their “allies” wish to carry the gauntlet of peace with us, we will share the rewards of heaven.

We cannot afford to allow ourselves to have this violence visited upon us, no matter what the cost to anyone else.  Our gloves must come off against all of those that cause harm to Israel and side with our enemies. 

When we stop holding back, peace will come to this region, it is up to us.

Election Folly

I landed in the US on Nov 7… the “day after”.  Like many others on my flight, if not the majority, when I checked the results of the election, I was not surprised.  I watched as the faces changed from the joy of landing safely and beating out the Nor’easter, to near horror-stricken when realizing that the White House would not be changing hands.

At the same time, I felt a bit of relief.  It’s over, results known; time to assess, and to move forward.  Reports conveyed that approximately 70% of the Jewish vote went to Obama − again no surprise there.  There were statements of shock regarding just how many “religious” Jews voted for a candidate who is in favor of ripping the Jewish heartland from its people.   In fact, the chasm between those of us who live in Israel, and those in the US, once again proved to be as wide as ever, with no prospect of attenuating the intensity.

That chasm which is the real problem, that had it been truly addressed, analyzed, and properly challenged would have brought about a different result in the “Jewish” vote, and perhaps even in the election results.

The tens of millions of dollars or more donated to the Romney campaign by our Jewish brethren did little to sway the Jewish vote. Nine percent change in the Jewish voting margin cannot be considered success.

While Israel is not the top swing topic of liberal Jewish voters, it is right up there, next to Women’s and Gay rights and other human rights issues.  The Israel/Palestinian peace efforts have affected many of our voters and I find it troubling that 70% of American Jewish voters do not comprehend what’s at stake. Worse yet, if they do comprehend then they presented a clear statement of apathy.

The support for Obama conveys indifference on the part of American Jewry over Israel giving up its heritage and its heartland. Their apathy paves the way for a new Arab state to rise, void of the ideals and values treasured in western culture, a state, which would undoubtedly be hostile to Israel and the United States.

Conversely, polls communicated unmistakably the over 80% of Israeli support for Romney as their choice for US president.  Israelis, for the most part, recognize that Obama cannot be trusted with regard to Israel’s security.

We are on our own, and we accept that.  

Nevertheless, why is it that US Jews see eye to eye with Obama with regard to his foreign policy vis a vis Israel? What might have been done to precipitate a change, and what can we now focus upon?

The fact is that many US Jews if not most, regardless of their various backgrounds, have a misinformed and misconstrued view of the reality in Israel, especially of Judea and Samaria.

Take a moment to ponder the following:  Barely any of them can actually connect our history to a map. They might send their children to Hebrew school or to day school, but ask them to trace Abraham’s travels on a map or to point out the locations of the names mentioned in the bible, and they can’t.  Ask them about our history in the region and their response would be sorely lacking. Ask them if they have visited these areas, and they will tell you they haven’t.  Then ask why. 

This lack of connection to our land is an orchestrated and nefarious effort that serves to maintain a wedge between our people and our land.  This trend of disconnect to our history in our country has caused a major negative impact in the mindset of the American Jew.

Imagine the effect on the election results had a portion of the millions of dollars invested in the campaign been used to dissuade the lies regarding Judea and Samaria, expose the efforts (our own included) to separate our people from Israel, and used rather to educate and connect our people to the realities of the Middle East.

Imagine the effect had some of the funds been used to aggressively fight the perversions disseminated by groups such as J Street and Americans for Peace Now, as well as Sarah Silverman receiving a lesson and taste of reality, rather than contemplating which straddle position she would use to affect candidacy funding.

This is a real issue of critical importance. We must face it and deal with it.

Our people must be reconnected with their land, their eyes opened to the lies of our enemies, from within and without, and these lies and efforts must be fought.  Complacency is not an option, when our people or our land is at stake.

That Obama was chosen to serve another term, as President of the United States, does not deter me. Such an ominous result actually shines a light on a challenge that we can and must overcome to bring about a brighter future.

How will we in Israel deal with the election results? 

We will do fine. It might get a little difficult. The road might become slippery, rocky, and sometimes seem impassable, but we will engage in the 4X4 mode, put it in low gear, and get through what we need to get through, shoving aside as many obstacles as necessary through the hilly terrain. We are stronger than any candidate, and we have what to show the world.

There is an answer….