[(Continued from p.10)]
exercise their rights of free speech. All the hatred and calumny in the world cannot obscure the achievement of the state of Israel. The more others try to smear the citizens and aspirations of the Jewish state, the more its admirers are bound to proclaim its accomplishments. Israel has withstood thousands of terrorist attacks in the last two yearsa situation Americans can hardly imagineyet it sustains a democratic culture under conditions of siege that would long since have crushed and demoralized any lesser society.Let those who value its justice, mercy, and remarkable civilization sponsor tributes to Israel over the next several years, reminding all people of good will that democracy will prevail against even its most determined enemies. This is not a task for Jews only, but for everyone who prefers truth to falsehood, peace to terror. Free speech being one of democracy's dearest privileges, we should use it to protect and honor those worthiest of our esteem.
Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. In fact, it is the only nation in that region where Arabs have the franchise, among other civil rights. It is thus ironic that the two leading contenders for Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon of the Likud and Amram Mitzna of Labor, offer voters little in the way of substantive policy alternatives.
As Israeli writer Michael Freund points out in the December 11 Jerusalem Post, Sharon has affirmed and reaffirmed his intent to carry out the Labor platform: to implement a partition plan establishing a Palestinian state. This is the policy the right had earlier opposed on the ground it was a prescription for Israeli suicide. The major difference between the candidates is that Mitzna prescribes a quicker death (unilateral Israeli withdrawal on the model of Israel's precipitous flight from southern Lebanon), while Sharon favors a longer-acting dose.
There is no challenge to Oslo. There is no challenge to the proven falsity of the notion that territorial compromise will bring peace. There is no hint of Israel's claim to its patrimony. There is no acknowledgment that the Arabs have demonstrated in word and deed that for them, the only acceptable peace for the Jews of Israel is the peace of death.
Sharon's defeated challenger, Benjamin Netanyahu, passed himself off as the hawk, but it was on his watch that Israel gave up Hebron, as holy to Jews as Jerusalem. And while he claims there was little terror during his tenure, there were constant assaults against the residents of the Jewish communities of Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Does Netanyahu mean to suggest, like his predecessor Yitzhak Rabin, that the violence against "settlers" is not as bad as the violence against residents of Tel Aviv?
As for Sharon, some might sympathize with a decision to hold fire while the United States is embarked on preparation for war with Iraq. Why, then, not just remain silent? Why must he aver that the end game is the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state? Why gratify enemies even as they continue to stockpile weapons, send out suicide bombers (and tutor future suicide replacements), incite to violence in schoolbooks, sermons, and media?
To their credit, some members of the Likud Party, including a number high on the Knesset list, have de- nounced the concept of an Arab Palestinian state. However, opposition entails action. Effective opposition means dramatic action. The left, with its endless candle vigils, demonstrations and media campaigns, seems to get it done. The so-called right is impotent.
Just for dramatic effect, how about a march from the Allenby crossing to the shore of Tel Aviv? Israelis, obsessed with fitness and exercise, could demonstrate dramatically how narrow Israel's corridor for safety is. How about a marathon run to Hebron terminating at the steps of the Cave of the Patriarchs, where the runners could be met by legislators? For more sedentary types how about a campaign to declare Hebron Israel's twin capital? The Arabs have a spurious claim to Jerusalem. Why cannot Jews exercise their own legitimate claim to Hebron? How about a sound bite "It's about survival, stupid?"
Instead of repeating dangerous, outdated formulas, a genuine alternative campaign platform would denounce the failed policies of the past and propose only limited autonomy, offering self-expression for the Arabs constrained by Israel's security needs.
In the real world, what do we find? Israeli political analysts report that Sharon actually hopes for a strong showing by Labor so that he can form another partnership with it and not be dependent on parties to his right or harder line elements within his own party.
At this critical time, Israel has no leader worthy of the name. The ship of state is rudderless.
Ruth King is a member of the executive committee of Americans For a Safe Israel.
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January 2003 - 11 - Outpost