A Writer's Notebook, Day Nine-Hundred-And-Thirty-Nine

As a Jew, I have always had a strange relationship to Israel.  My family was not one that had a strong feeling about the Jewish homeland.  My parents never had interest in going, and never really said a great deal about it as a significant symbol to them.  Still, I also knew, from going to synagogue and studying the history that led to the formation of the modern state, that it was important in many ways.  I do not mean the deeper cultural significance of that land in particular, but more the sense of it as a safe harbor for any Jew in peril around the world.  

I knew, as well, about the difficult relationship Israel had with various nations in the Middle East, and, of course, about the Palestinians and the internal strife that was so often in the news.  I hoped for it to be resolved, but, when I was young, I did not see it clearly.  I had a sense of obligation to Israel, to the concept of a Jewish homeland.

Over the years, though, I have seen more and more.  I recall hearing about Yitzhak Rabin's assassination, and the revelation that he was murdered by a Jew who disagreed with his efforts to work with Palestinian leaders towards peace.  I visited Israel and met men and women who had lived in Israel their whole lives, but were unable to join the army because of their religion, who feared they would not find jobs in their chosen careers, despite education at the same institutions as their Jewish peers.  And I have seen so much violence.


I have always had the feeling that I was obligated to Israel, in some sense, that I owed it some kind of support.  I still believe in the importance of a Jewish homeland, though I believe it must be a place that relishes the freedom of all, which would welcome any who seek refuge from less accepting lands.  Watching the footage of Jewish men and women attacking the homes and businesses(the sight of the broken glass), the hate.  Who can watch such things without recognizing what is happening?


I have always thought I had an obligation to Israel, but now I have to ask about Israel's obligation to the Jewish people of the world, its obligation to be a Jewish state, and the question of what it means if this is what the government endorses?  What does it say to those who already carry banners of hate against us if Israel acts the same as they do?

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