As my schedule has been rather busy lately and ideas 22 is not likely to see the light of day for another couple of weeks, I felt the following unedited response to ideas 21 might generate some healthy thought and controversy.
From: "Bradski, Gary"
To: "'Nataf Family'"
Subject: RE: ideas 21
Date: Mon, 30 Oct 2000 11:47:44 -0800Speaking as one who lives outside of Israel, I'd say there is quite a bit of angst over the present situation especially after it seemed some sort of framework for peace might take hold. Also, people have been contributing in various ways -- buying more bonds...for myself hoping to transfer more technology (computer vision) to Israel and Israeli companies...
But, there certainly is a weariness...and also a bit of recognition that perhaps Israel isn't exactly 100% right. Sorry, but I can't help but think if I were a Palestinian youth, I'd probably be taking pot shots right now. Of course now I'm old/wise enough to know that this is just evil. The worst evils are when people attempt to do "good" for their group without Universalizing it. The Nazi's didn't think "lets set out to do evil", they saw *their* race as downtrodden, in danger etc.
It's harder to know exactly what to do in the current Israeli-Palistinian situation, and rational solutions don't stand much chance in emotionally charged situations. The solution certainly will involve creating a viable Palestinian state where people have something to lose. But what really drives me crazy is that all the old, stupid arguments are being trotted out again:
"Palestinians aren't really a people". Well go into Hebron and enlighten them! A people are exactly those that think they are a people.
"Muhammad never came to Jerusalem". Yeah, and we've got Moses' footsteps showing that he crossed the Red sea. Belief is belief, and even if you could prove to Muslims that it did not happen, Jerusalem still played a key part in Muslim history due to the prior beliefs and so would still be important to them.
"There is something that makes Palestinians/Arabs/Muslims peculiarly liable to be terrorists/evil". Sorry again, hard to find a people, including Jews, whom haven't engaged in terrorism. The funny thing also is, if you did a genetic study, I'd bet you'd find close similarity between Palestinians and Jews. We are such an ancient people that our genetic descendents must number in the 100's of millions. Assimilation is not new. After the Arab conquest I suspect quite a few Jews and Jews/Christians became Muslim over time. Those people's descendents are still around -- I was struck by some news images of rioters whom look just like some of the people I studied with in Yeshiva and some whom looked just like me.
I also disagree that Israel is secure. The technical elite who bring cash into the economy and make smart soldiers will start looking at this choice: Endless years of insecurity...sending sons and daughters off to be soldiers in dangerous situations...or move the US, relax and make $$. Israel could suffer from a brain and body drain as people move out...perhaps leaving just the poor and highly religious behind neither of whom seem to be too good at economics or fighting.
In sum, I suspect that the reaction in outside Jewish community is stronger than you think, it's just less clear what to do and less certain about the morality of the situation. If what to do can't be articulated clearly, and a moral vision given, then: rally around what??
(The views expressed in this essay do not necessarily reflect the views of Tzemach Dovid)
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