Israel Matzav

In the Middle East, Israel is not the problem

All of these problems have been visible to even the casual observer. In fact, the 2002 U.N. Arab Human Development Report flagged many of them. Yet, for decades, few noticed. Instead, the plight of tens of millions of people across the Arab world was made secondary to an Orwellian campaign to delegitimize the Jewish state, the Middle East’s only democracy, by painting it as a 21st-century South Africa.

Israel, of course, is not immune to criticism. Honest people may disagree with the choices it makes in addressing extreme challenges, including a looming Iranian nuclear threat, anti-Semitism, and frequent missile attacks that place millions of Israelis in harm’s way. Yet, many advocates have abandoned fair and thoughtful interpretation of Israeli actions in favor of absurd declarations, such as the one recently offered by Turkey’s Gul.

Those who perpetuate these toxic ideas have succeeded in doing harm to Israel’s standing in the international community. They have also given cover and support to extremist groups like Hamas, Hezbollah and the Muslim Brotherhood, which reject on any terms a secure stable peace between Israel, the Palestinians and neighboring states.

It is time to reject demonizing dogma and recognize that peace and stability in the Middle East requires a readiness to acknowledge the historical and moral complexity of the conflict between Israel and her neighbors.

Narratives that dismiss core Israeli concerns and attempt to assign Israel culpability for a vast array of ills may provide political advantage to despots. They also poison prospects for the kind of serious discourse that will be elemental to any successful and stable peace process.

Labels: anti-Israel obsession

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 9:47 PM