Israel is Homeland for the Jews Regardless of Where in the World they Live!

Submitted by Gail Tenzer (United States), Jul 28, 2008 at 01:44

Modern Israelis apparently don't know their own history. Israel was established as the Homeland for the Jews. Since before its establishment as a State, Jews all over the world have continuously sent money to support and help establish the State and see it through hard times whenever it is threatened.

Israel was able to survive to a great extent thanks to the enormous amount of funds raised and sent to help Jews in Israel defend and build the country. I remember giving money to plant trees in Israel when I was a child. In Venezuela, I worked with Damas de Hatikva raising money to send to Israel for Ambulances etc. Perhaps many Israelis need to be reminded that we have a right to return and never know when we might have to again flee wherever we may currently be in the Diaspora.

There are many ways to fight a war. Many of us in the Diaspora give of our time and talents for absolutely no remuneration or material support, fighting the war for the hearts and minds of people---and then raising money to send to help our brethren whom we have entrusted with our land. As Jews, whether living in Israel, America, or any other country in the world, Israel is our land---and as such, and considering that we also provide for her support, we have a right to comment publicly on decisions and policies made by the Government!?!

Perhaps if the Government did a better job in PR and spent more money like the Arabs do, Israelis wouldn't have such a negative image all over the world. It is you and me who are left holding the bag for the PR nightmares the government creates for us. And, let us remind them, that whatever they do in Israel reflects on all the Jews in the world.

When Israel is weak, Jews get beaten up in London, Paris, New York and even in Miami, synagogues and Torahs are burned and Swastikas are painted onto buildings! In light of that, the Israeli government isn't only accountable to the people living in Israel, but to all the Jews in the world!

I have another problem with Mr. Schweitzer's criticism of Jews in the Diaspora commenting on Israeli policy. As an American, I am outraged at how Israel is allowing members of the U.S. State Dept. to meddle in Israel's affairs, often dictating policy, as for example U.S. Ambassador Jones' dictatorial statement that "the Jews will just have to move out of Jerusalem..." or the frequent meddling of U.S. Secty. of State Condoleeza Rice.

Israel is a sovereign State. If there is any shedding of Jewish blood, it is the elected leaders of Israel who are accountable to the people and not members of the U.S. State Dept. who often seem to come to do the bidding of our Arab enemies rather than behaving as our friends with whom they want to maintain friendly diplomatic relationships.

Were I a leader in Israel, I would ask that Jones be recalled and that the U.S. send someone else. As far as Ms. Rice is concerned, I would respectfully and gently remind her that she is a guest and ask that she kindly refrain from dictating policy, considering that it is I and not she that is accountable to the people of Israel for any consequences. Otherwise, I would have to respectfully have to ask her to leave.

So, Israelis talk tough to those of us who are here fighting and trying to overcome the PR nightmares they create---but with all the tough talk to you and me and the rest of us who stay up nights at our computers or run up to Washington to lobby Congress for issues relating to Israel's security---they have the Chutzpah to tell US, the Jews, whose homeland Israel continues to be---where we might some day have to again escape to for our lives---US HE TELLS TO SHUT UP!?!

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