A fine Jewish tradition
Rick Richman points out that when Sarah Palin criticized Israelis for 'constantly apologizing,' she was repeating a criticism made by Zeev Jaobotinsky in the pre-State period.Palin probably knew her question reflected a profound historical echo, from a famous essay by Ze’ev Jabotinsky entitled “Instead of Excessive Apology:”Isn't it amazing how little we have learned?We constantly and very loudly apologize… Instead of turning our backs to the accusers, as there is nothing to apologize for, and nobody to apologize to, we swear again and again that it is not our fault…. Every accusation causes among us such a commotion that people unwittingly think, “why are they so afraid of everything?” … We think that our constant readiness to undergo a search without hesitation and to turn out our pockets, will eventually convince mankind of our nobility.
Labels: Sarah Palin, Zev Jabotinsky
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:05 PM
2 Comments:
Excellent correlation. It was only five years ago that I had the treat to read: Lone Wolf, Schmuel Katz's brilliant biography of Jacobtinsky. I came away from it appreciating how badly my understanding of modern Jewish-Israeli history had been warped by the Labor-Zionist filtering of events. I recommend the journey to all!
Also, Begin was Prime Minister while I (and family) were in Israel. My school age boys came back to the States having, to borrow Begin's phrase, lost their "galut mentality." Palin has grasped this insight. Too bad we cannot convine our fellow Jews of this.
Jabotinsky wrote the Jews don't have to sit for any one else's examination.
I have never figured out why Israel's leaders feel compelled to please a world that will never like the Jews.
Nothing that Israel does will ever be enough for it.
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