Future of Israel

The adventures in Israel never cease. The story goes that Rabbi Akiva upon seeing a fox running out of the Beit HaMikdash started laughing. In short, he explained to his students that despite this terrible omen, it is yet a sign of better times to come. The question remains, what to do until those times arrive and should we make an effort to bring them quicker and on a more positive note. A few years ago I spoke (privately among my peers) about the involvement of various individuals in government positions in creating a violent atmosphere throughout Yehuda and Shomron. Other topics I spoke about were the signs of a repetition of violence based on facts in the field, and how the government is feeding this possibility. A while back Shimon Peres repeated his statement that Jews wishing to remain in Yehuda and Shomron are welcome to adopt Palestinian Authority citizenship. This in sync with the infusion of more Arab soldiers in the guise of policemen to Hevron and other areas. Again in sync with the latest act of taking more weapons out of the hands of active soldiers though out the communities of Yehuda and Shomron.
Let’s take a short break just to look at some of these facts.
1) Weapons given to Arabs and taken away from Jews.
2) Terrorists released and Jewish Activists arrested.
3) Defense Budgets cut to Jewish Communities in Yehuda and Shomron and an increase in funding to the Palestinian Authority.
4) Acts to boost Arab Nationalism in Israel while the attempted actions to dejudaize the state increase.
Something is definitely wrong with this picture.
There is at least one reason to smile at the mention of this news. As in the parable with Rabbi Akiva above, this is sign of better times, providing we act to make it so. I would like to say that the only enemy to the Jewish State of Israel are various Arab nations, but this is not so.
We always hear the talk of the politicians of the concept of Two States, one Jewish, One Arab, living side by side in peace. Didn’t we hear this in 1947?
We hear that once the Jews are out of Yehuda and Shomron, there will be peace. Like Gaza?????
Unfortunately, some of the loudest advocates of these not to be repeated mistakes are often from our own people.
How can we smile while all this is going on, and what can we do in the face of this reality?
There are a few facts that are constantly overlooked when discussing the land and the people of Yehuda and Shomron. We constantly hear of the demographic threat to Israel because of the birth rate of the Arabs residing in Israel, we don’t hear how the birth rate of the Jews throughout Yehuda and Shomron is actually the highest in the country. We will soon see the face of Israel changing; this is a fact that is already taking place.
The military in Israel has always been a source of pride to Israel and the Jewish people. Today we see all of the elite units, not just peppered but flowing with the residents of the “Yeshuvim”. In all units, at all levels these young people have become the new pride of the country. It is no longer difficult to find a “minyan” in officers course or the top “Recon” units.
Agriculture has returned to Yehuda and Shomron. This historically abundant place of olives and vineyards has been reborn to its former glory, but this time by the hands of Jews. Award winning wines and olive oils are not uncommon, and seeing “Kippahs” in the field is always an inspiring sight.
Industry is growing by leaps and bounds. In all fields of business, up to the executive levels, from the sciences to hi-tech, we see the presence of this new face of Israel.
The population grows everyday, and the “Yeshuvim” are filling up along with every new neighborhood created. Yes, we are building, because we are growing and will continue to grow. Those that demonstrate against this growth and hold hands with our enemies are shrinking and will continue to do so. Their shouts are their last efforts against the will of a people, and they will diminish soon.
We have done this together, as one people, disregarding physical distances and overcoming the challenges our enemies have put and continue to put before us. It has been a difficult and painful journey, with blood, sweat and tears. But this same journey bears fruits beyond our wildest dreams. This venture that we set out to do with “Achdut” together has blossomed and provided a return that Wall Street veterans would envy.
No wonder our enemies wish to hide this from the majority of our people, for we would only gain more strength from it. That is exactly what those that are against us want to avoid.
I often take security officials from around the world through Yehuda and Shomron. We discuss counter terror tactics, suicide terrorism and the real reality on the ground, not what is reported. They are always amazed how Israel hasn’t destroyed the P.A. and Hamas, this coming from people who are not our supporters. One of my favorite places to take them is the lookout from Maale Levona. I point out Ben Gurion Airport, and how close it is. Among some of the topics we discuss is how if the “two state plan” comes into effect, Ben Gurion Airport will be in mortar and Kassam Range. Shut down the airport, shut down the economy, and bring devastation to the country. Mistakes are easy to make, recovering from them is another story.

We find ourselves standing on a cusp in time. Change is not a possibility but inevitable. It is within our power to bring the change about sooner than later, and we can influence the direction in which we will go. The time is critical, and that is why we must make that extra effort now.
A cornered and threatened animal may become more dangerous and is often still capable of inflicting a devastating blow. We see the Left in Israel taking desperate steps against those who believe in a strong and Jewish Israel. It is for this reason we must remain vigilant and strong. By increasing the strength of the communities in Yehuda and Shomron, we strengthen our people, all of our people. We return to them some the values that we were brought up with. Those of strength, self respect, honor, duty and more. Being a proud and strong Jew is a privilege and not something to apologize for.
To recap some of things discussed, we can plainly see the direction that the world wishes to force on us, mind you by using our own people. The tactic being discussed is to disarm the Jews, arm the Arabs. Inflict pain on the Jewish residents of Yehuda and Shomron though economic and security means. Take away the heartland from the Jewish people and weaken them once again.
I say NO! We can and will fight back and we will remain strong. We do this by being involved in the security of these communities, taking part with the various projects going on, by investing in businesses throughout the area, and boosting the economy. Achdut is the answer. Partnerships are the answer, in all aspects of life. We are not fools that moved into a bad neighborhood, we are the future, and together we hold the solution.
The work is not done, far from it, but we are headed in the right direction. We must continue with more determination and effort than before. The future of Israel lies in what happens in Yehuda and Shomron. By continuing to strengthen these communities and people, we secure ourselves as a people a brighter future. As more and more people flock to our heartland daily, we see that together we hold the key. Whereas the Jewish people and country of Israel are affected and influenced by Yehuda and Shomron, so are Yehuda and Shomron affected and influenced by all of us and our continued efforts and projects. Join us in making dreams into reality and being part of Yehuda and Shomron.