J'Accuse - The IDF, the Settler Rabbis, the Palestinians

J'Accuse - the IDF

I no longer have faith in the IDF or the Security forces, despite the good work they have done. I've been fuming over this for days, without knowing how or what to write about it. In the past, I would defend the morality of the IDF by claiming they have a code of ethics and they do a good job considering they face the most heinous hornets nest of indoctrinated terrorists ever faced by mankind on their doorstop. Yes, there are some trigger happy 18 yr olds but often the army catches and court martials them. The army knows what it is doing and can be trusted to decide what is necessary for security.

NO MORE. The army and police have shown their true colors, the heavy-handed, brutal tyrants they are. When faced with a few thousand relatively peaceful protestors they acted in an unreasonable and disproportionate manner, depriving them of basic freedoms, inflicting collective punishments and exerting violence on children.

THE SETTLERS ARE THE NEW PALESTINIANS. Demonized in the press, ignored by Israeli society, deprived of basic rights by administrative detention without charge and forced eviction, some marginal sections threaten violence and mutter warnings of assasination. We have seen the true face of the IDF, and there is a lesson for us all.

J'Accuse - the Settler Rabbis

Where are the Yirmiyahus and Yeshayahus of today? Are they too busy shouting from the rooftops that it is forbidden to transfer one parcel of land, to remove one Jew from his home? Do they organize rallies for the starving widows and orphans? Do they even care about our Palestinian nieghbours who we are responsible for, who have been deprived of the economic viability necessary to sustain themselves while the army have turfed many out of their homes. Were enough Rabbis to sufficiently care and to persuade their flock that this mattered, they would find a way to get basic necessities to their Palestinian brethren. Instead they build fancy beautiful settlements on their land, lush green gardens, spacious brick houses opposite the slums and sewage fests and expensive roads through their olive groves for a handful of families.

The Rabbis foamed at the mouth a few years back, when Ben Artsi and his pals refused to serve in the territories for conscientious reasons, they showed no compassion or understanding, merely a ranting and raving at the sanctity and unity of the army, and the importance of carrying out orders. Where are the self-righteous pietists now, with their platitudes and judgements from their lofty towers? Defying the army, ordering their soldiers to disobey orders handed down by their government in accordance with the wishes of the majority of the country. Maybe the IDF would be more sympathetic to those soldiers who expressed a desire to stay behind and guard the base or do other duties during the disengagement, if there wasn't a threat of mutiny and disorder hanging over them. I think there is a lesson there as well.

J'Accuse - the Palestinians

You'd think they would be happy to have driven the Israelis out of Gaza, in their view. A chance to show the world they can run a sensible, healthy, open society. Maybe clamp down on the terrorist networks, join the world in the fight against terror, start working on infrastructure, education, sanitation, improving their society. Doing everything to prevent Kassam rockets to be fired at Israelis. Punishing the murderes of innocent Israelis driving through Gaza. For one period of time to show everyone they are not the bloodthirsty, savage society they are depicted as. To grasp this incredible opportuntiy inexplicably presented by their arch-enemy Sharon, to stand up and be counted and show what they can really achieve when the Israelis move out.

I hope and pray that whatever happens is for the best, and that G-d remove pain and anguish from all of us while granting us all the strength to make the best decisions we can.

TRK