Courage, War and Compromise

The History of Israel

                I admire the people of Israel for while grossly outnumbered and out gunned they fought off bloodthirsty Arabs and then crafted a great country, all the time making the desert bloom.

                On Fox Sunday, (5-22-11) during an interview with Herman Cain, Chris Wallace said the Palestinians were “kicked out” of Palestine and asked Cain how he felt about the “Right of Return,” meaning the right of the Palestinians to return to their homes prior to the 1948 War of Independence. 

                I have in my library at least 15 books on the British Mandate, the While Paper, the War of Independence, the 1956 War, the Six Day War (1967) and the Yom Kipper War of 1973, and have read them all.  Chris Wallace is one of my favorite newsmen but he was mistaken when he said the Palestinians were “kicked out” of Palestine. 

                The fact is, in 1948 Israel told the Palestinians to stay put and not flee; but the consensus among all the Arabs, England, much of Europe and even in the USA was that the Jews would be exterminated and pushed into the sea by the combined attacks of Egypt, Trans-Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq.  Trans-Jordan told the Palestinians to flee, get out of the way because they were going to exterminate the Jews.  Acting on their Muslim cousin’s advice they crossed the Jordan River and swarmed into Trans-Jordan.  But after things cooled down and Israel survived the invasions the Jordanians told the Palestinian refugees to get out.  They didn’t want anything to do with them.

                I think the lack of compassion on the part of Jordan was tactical.  They knew that if Israel was saddled with the Palestinian refugees it would be a huge stumbling block for the nascent State, and they were right. 

                The “Right of Return” applies to Israel as much if not more than to the Palestinians.  The Jews were driven out during the Diaspora.  The Palestinians were not driven out they sought to align themselves with their Arab neighbors.  Yes they are victims, but not by Israel, by their Muslim cousins. 

                If the fortunes of war were reversed how compassionate and willing to compromise do you suppose the Palestinians would be?  The Arabs who chose to stay in Israel may be minorities but they are Israeli citizens and are much more prosperous, free and better off than those who sided with Israel’s enemies. 

                In a world driven by competition the territory known as the Holy Land has been fought over and possessed by diverse cultures since recorded history.  The Holy Land should be ruled by the fittest -- the culture that would most preserve it as a Holy Land where all of those who consider it holy may visit.  Israel is the only nation or culture that fits that model. 

                Anti-Semitism is alive and well.  The Jews have been unfairly made scapegoats and in spite of their overtures towards peace, compromise, industry and respect for Christianity and Islam they are hated and despised.  How dare they be so ingenious, religious, courageous, industrious and fearless? 

                It is the nature of many people to align with and stand beside those they think are winners.  There still seems to be a belief that the Muslim nations will eventually destroy Israel and that the romance with Israel’s resilience is over because Israel in no longer important. 

                Liberal pundits accuse Benjamin Netanyahu of disrespecting President Obama by lecturing him as to Israel’s position and future.  In light of Obama’s suggestion that Israel give up territory acquired by war since 1948, Netanyahu’s remarks were appropriate and responsible.  Huckabee put it adroitly, “Who is Obama to tell Israel what it should do?”

                President Obama has the intelligence and opportunity to be a great leader but I suspect he is so enamored with himself he thinks all he has to do is articulate and the masses will fall in line.  I have predicted that Barak and Michelle Obama will take advantage of more presidential perks than any other president in history.  For example, how much will this latest jaunt (a retinue in the hundreds) to Ireland (to visit his Irish roots), England and Europe cost tax payers?  What good will it do for the USA and the American people?  What motivated this extravagant trip?  Was it motivated by adoration?   At least this trip he didn’t apologize and subordinate the USA.  It is telling that the only country in the Middle East where he has turned his nose in the air has been Israel.  He says the relations between Israel and the USA (government) is rock solid but can we believe him.  There is no question the people of the United States are with Israel.  Obamaites complain of the money we have given Israel, which is a drop in the bucket compared to the money and arms we have given the Arab-Muslim nations.

                 Most of us missed Netanyahu’s speech before Congress, but Hannity’s interview (5-24-11) brought us up to date.  Netanyahu couldn’t have been more statesmen like.  His passion was genuine and his position ironclad.  The people of Israel must be proud.  Without being impudent and just being himself, when it came to the Middle East, Netanyahu came away from his meeting with Obama head and shoulders the better man. 

                The difference between Netanyahu and Obama is reality.  Obama, who I characterize as a Harvard, socialistic leaning intellectual governs on unsubstantiated theory.  Netanyahu has been shot at and shot back, he knows what it is like to have your back to the wall.  When he speaks he speaks from experience, not clinical rhetoric.  Netanyahu genuinely wants what’s best for his nation, Israel, and the Israeli people.  Obama wants to change America and when he says his changes are for the better he is unconvincing; furthermore, he seems determined to have his way regardless of the people’s feeling.  Unfortunately, there are enough socialistic thinking Americans to give him confidence.  But we should remember, prior to December 7, 1941, before Hitler declared war on America, there were numerous, naïve Americans marching with Brown Shirts and Swastikas strapped to their biceps.  

                Our capitalist, republican form of democracy tolerates (freedom of speech) those who would turn the USA into a socialistic monarchy with men like Obama and his leftist sycophants in charge.  Wake up America!  Wake up you Republican presidential want-to-bes!