Sometimes you have to state the obvious. The Jews who set out to harm and riot against their Arab neighbors, and along the way also harm the actions of the IDF and the security forces, are doing something that will not be done. Not only because they violate the law and the rules of Jewish and human morality. The violent actions in Turmus Ayya and the other targets of revenge are, quite simply, an anti-Israeli and non-Jewish act.
With the pain and frustration it is impossible not to empathize. In the face of the brutal jubilation of the murder of the Palestinians, it is impossible not to explode with rage. But the campaigns of revenge cannot be condemned. I say "you can't," even though we all know that many leaders in the religious community actually proved this week that it is possible and possible. What a shame.
Sometimes you have to state the obvious. We need to enlist the simplest Hebrew words and say that there is, well, a certain problem with setting fire to family homes and their inhabitants. Sometimes the silence is so shameful that it may be necessary to say that too. Ben-Gurion called the sick desire to act just like the most despicable of the enemy "new assimilation," but these arson attacks are unacceptable not only because we don't want to resemble our enemies. They are also unacceptable because they play straight into their hands.
Throughout the bitter conflict on this land, the Arab enemy managed to maneuver with sophistication between aggression and rapprochement. I suppose no strategic consultant would recommend such a delusional tactic, but it turned out to be successful. More than once one had to rub one's eyes at the swiftness with which the spokesmen of the Arab struggle went from battle roars to victim howls, and from boastful cruelty that swore to slaughter mercilessly to the whiny rhetoric that poured waves of empathy and suitcases of dollars into their laps.
True, even if the acts of revenge against Huwara and Turmus had created some kind of deterrence, they would have been fundamentally unacceptable. But the truth is that they fit perfectly with the cynical propaganda of the worst of our soul-seekers. They provide them with the pictures and do the work for them.
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In response to a post by Rabbi Benny Lau, one of the few who broke the silence, one of the supporters of revenge attacked him and claimed that it was perfectly okay to attack the IDF, since "once the army catches the side of the enemy, it must be treated as an enemy."
In order for an Israeli Jew, who probably perceives himself as a Zionist and even a religious, to express this distorted line in writing, it is not enough for him to be a complete idiot. In order to assume that the IDF, under a full-fledged right-wing government, and after a series of brilliant assassinations of senior terrorists, identifies with the enemy, that very person must want this conclusion. He must strive for it. Strive and distort every part of the picture so that everything fits the crooked comparison between those who sacrifice their lives to protect you and those who seek your life.
To be clear, this comment also got a few likes. And here's another obvious thing that must be said: crooked and conflicted worldviews on this level are something that has apparently simmered over time. And I take the trouble to point this out, because recently it turns out that a lot of cauldrons that sat for a long time on a small fire have actually reached the boiling point. Cauldrons that we were lazy and didn't even bother to lift their lids and peek inside, and here they are overflowing, bubbling and sliding over all our comfort zones.
One of the more bubbling pots touches on the constant feeling of where and where. Israel must decide, for example, whether demonstrators are allowed to break the law or not. What is a demonstration and what is a mass riot, if blocking roads is an integral part of any demonstration. It is highly desirable that there should be one law for each and every demonstrator. No man can tolerate double standards unless he profits from it.
And again it is necessary to mention the old story about the hit "I shot the sheriff". As you know, when the white Eric Clapton sang "I Shot the Sheriff," everyone expressed appreciation for the fierce protest and reminded us that this is exactly what art should do. When black Bob Marley sang "I shot the sheriff", he was summoned for questioning by the police. Even then it was outrageous, today it takes the dishes out of the dishes.
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And here's another bubbling one. I don't know about you, but most of the Israelis I tried to find out what they thought brought the Druze to the streets, what arouses their anger so much, and what the connection to the turbines is, honestly admitted that they have no idea of green. On the other hand, every time I have the chance to interview a Druze public figure, I end the conversation with a lump of shame and sorrow choking my throat.
Well, I don't know a single Israeli who doesn't like Druze. Theoretically, if verbal declarations of love are worth anything, Israeli Jews feel for the Druze what no other nation in the world feels for their neighbors. But beyond the beautiful words that are said, unfortunately, usually at funerals, not much happens. And that's a disgrace.
Last week, the Knesset held a secret ballot for committees for the appointment of judges and judges. In fact, very little of the energy invested in this move was directed at the public need for judges and judges, functioning courts or justice everywhere. Commentators, journalists and politicians treated the vote as if it were just another routine task on a generic reality show. Voting was presented as an arena for strength exercises and hand bending, and the questions — accordingly — were of the kind who the trill showed whom, who played it and who came out sardine.
Among other things, the Knesset was asked to elect a representative to the committee that would select a Qadi Madhab – that is, a judge in the Druze community's court. It wasn't supposed to be very complicated. And among all 120 Knesset members there is exactly one Druze member. His name is Hamad Ammar, and if all the members of the coalition thought he was not suitable for the job, and voted against him, then they probably thought of another candidate. Maybe secretly Druze. Anyway, they were already thinking of someone who would be much better suited to the Druze courts.
Or not. It may just not interest anyone. A committee will be formed or not. Yes caddy or no caddy. After all, what is more important – a functioning court to help our Druze brothers manage their lives, or another opportunity to throw their hands off, show strength and troll?
True, in the past the Druze courts were paralyzed for a long time also because of internal intrigues within the community (it turns out that they are more similar to us than one might have guessed), but this still does not exempt the State of Israel, which until now has not seen fit to establish a single new Druze settlement, from the obligation to show that we are a people that knows how to fulfill alliances and respect its respecters. Or at least try a little harder.
The story of the turbines in the Golan Heights seems to press a history of old pain. Beneath this particular story is an ongoing, and frankly justified, frustration that many Israelis are not sufficiently aware of. So it's no coincidence that many of us don't understand the connection between a turbine and a combine. They simply did not follow the previous chapters, and still believe that Israel can play its part in the eternal brotherly alliance in another recycled speech.
shishabat@israelhayom.co.il
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