Olmert's NIMBY Syndrome
Michael Freund has a great article in today's JPost that hits the nail on the head regarding the government's - and indeed much of Israel's - attitude that Sderot is NotInMyBackYard:The fact is that we as a society have become numb to the cry of Sderot and the south. The outrage we should all be feeling over the relentless rocket attacks has failed to materialize, and the government exploits this to avoid taking action.Freund is dead right about Sderot, and I hope that he's right about Tel Aviv too. But these days the government is so docile and dhimmi-like that I'm beginning to wonder what would happen if a Kassam from Kalkilya hit Tel Aviv. Let's hope we never find out.
Indeed, it seems our leaders believe there to be two Israels - one that matters, and one that doesn't. How else can one explain their unwillingness to put an end to the daily, ongoing assaults against Sderot? Sure, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has repeatedly taken a tough verbal stand against the rocket barrages, vowing to do his utmost to stop them. As the Post reported, "Olmert promised that Israel would take harsher measures than ever against any parties responsible for launching Kassams. 'No one has immunity, no matter what he does or what group he's associated with.'" But that was back on June 21, 2006. And the rockets kept coming….
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Does anyone doubt what the reaction would be if, God forbid, a rocket fired from Kalkilya were to strike Tel Aviv? Would the empty promises then proffered by our leaders still be deemed sufficient? And yet, somehow, when it comes to places like Sderot, another standard seems to apply, one that calls for restraint and self-control.
Comfortably ensconced in our homes, we all think it couldn't possibly happen to us. The headlines from the south seem taken from some far away place, off in the distance. After all, the government would never abandon us, would it? But if we accept our leaders' decision to snub Sderot, abandon Ashkelon and neglect Netiv Ha'asara, then we are essentially lining ourselves up to become potential prey too.
Were all Israelis created equal? As far as this government is concerned, the answer seems to be no.
Sadly, it appears that some are considered more "expendable" than others.
Read the whole thing.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 10:51 PM
2 Comments:
Let's hope no one does. It may be Mizrahi Jewish lives are less worth than Ashkenazi ones. I think though - in the Arabs don't care from where Jews come - the Middle East or Europe. They hate ALL Jews and want to see them dead.
That what makes Ehud Olmert's NIMBY attitude towards the Kassams falling on Sderot so cowardly as well as morally repulsive.
Like most readers of this blog, I'm disgusted by the Olmert government, but its inaction in protecting Sderot is, as far as I'm concerned, as bad as it gets. Sadly, while I've been contemplating aliyah for a few years now, knowing that Israel has a government that has virtually no concern for its citizens' safety makes me put the decision on hold. I sure hope someone collects that $1,000,000 soon and finishes off Olmert's disgraceful political career. Hopefully he won't be replaced with another criminal.
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