Moving to Israel

Although I made the move to Israel many years ago, America is my country of birth and I am still a very patriotic American at heart. That’s why it pains me to so often see the very anti-Israel activities that regularly occur on American soil. I was therefore happy to read what took place at an event last week in San Francisco, California marking the first anniversary of Operation Cast Lead.

The rally, led by Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism (QUIT!), International Solidarity Movement (ISM) of Northern California, Code Pink, Women in Black and a number of other organizations hostile to Jewish statehood that normally succeed in broadcasting their message of “Israeli atrocities and racism” was met with an unexpectedly assertive Zionist counter-protest. San Francisco Voice for Israel, a local pro-Israel group affiliated with the StandWithUs organization, has since 2004 been publically confronting what the group terms “anti-Israel hate speech” in the California Bay Area. Taking no position on Israel’s borders or on the fate of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, SFV4I attempts to present Israel as a Western democracy closely allied to the United States. To that end, the group holds regular counter demonstrations – often featuring American flags alongside Israeli ones – across from more belligerent and sometimes violent anti-Israel forces. They were joined by the Zionist Freedom Alliance (ZFA) of Northern California, a new factor in the Bay Area Jewish scene with a much younger membership than other pro-Israel groups. Rather than talk about Israeli democracy, the Alliance assertively pushed a message of Jewish national rights to all territory between the Mediterranean Sea and Jordan River. Caught off balance by the unapologetic and forceful Zionist message, the anti-Israel activists, although employing their familiar tactic of presenting Israeli policies in a negative light, found themselves unable to challenge the assertion of Jewish rights.

While the ZFA and SFV4I do not always see eye to eye on all issues, it was good to see them unite in this instance and stand up to the all too frequent anti-Semitic rantings of these groups. Hopefully this will be another step in educating the American public to let them know that Israel is a valued, trusted friend of the U.S.A. and that it is the crimals and dictators of the world that deserve their attention and condemnation.

Ari

As the world continues to absorb the latest trauma in Israel’s Gaza offensive it is clear that in the coming weeks and months one of the biggest challenges of the tiny land will be on the public relations front. As usual, there is a good chance that the world’s anti-Israel media will all be rushing to the forefront to condemn Israel’s actions and to sympathize with “the poor, suffering Palestinians.” It is therefore critical that when there is a positive piece of news regarding Israel we publicize it to the max and make sure to spread word that this is a war that Israel has never asked for but is involved in solely for the purpose of protecting its citizens.

On that note, I’d like to get the ball rolling by pointing out a great piece that appears on the normally left leaning haaretz.com written by Bradley Burston. It predicts what are likely to be the worst anti-Israel charges we should expect to be hearing as coverage of the battle continues and, while I personally am skeptical about what part two of this article will have to say when it comes out, there is no doubt about the fact that this piece of writing is fantastic and is worthy of being pointed out.

Give a look at the article and let’s all make sure to help spread the word whenever anything positive is being printed about Israel and her struggles.

May Hashem help the Jewish people overcome yet another challenge against its enemies.

Ari