by Isi Leibler
An escalation in worldwide anti-Semitism, European contempt for Israel and the growing distance from American Jews is more than offset by positive factors: Israelis are more united than ever, and Israel remains a mini-superpower.
The speed of recent changes is breathtaking.
On the negative side, an escalation in
anti-Semitism has reduced the quality of life for most Jews. Most
European governments do not conceal their contempt for Israel, and their
foreign policies and U.N. voting records display an absence of moral
compass.
Nothing illustrates this better than their
reaction to Israeli self-defense against incursions by Hamas terrorists
and rocket attacks. To depict Israel's efforts to defend itself from
violent mobs as a disproportionate response to "peaceful demonstrators"
is obscene. No country would have shown as much restraint.
The behavior of the ailing Palestinian
Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and his acolytes has descended to
levels of anti-Semitism that would have made the Nazis proud.
A rabid hatred for U.S. President Donald
Trump has led many American Jews to distance themselves from Israel.
Forty-two percent of them even opposed moving the U.S. Embassy to
Jerusalem.
On the broader Jewish political level, the
Anti-Defamation League, the once respected apolitical body whose mandate
was to combat anti-Semitism, today aggressively seeks to slander Trump
and often criticizes Israel.
The Democratic Party has become radicalized
with the emergence of anti-Israeli agitators. The primary election
defeat of Rep. Joe Crowley, the Democratic caucus chairman and a firm
supporter of Israel, was a significant blow. Jewish voters were not
dissuaded from supporting his opponent, 28-year-old Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez, who has made no secret of her hostility to Israel. She is
affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America, which supports
the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.
The situation for Jews on college campuses
has worsened. Many pro-BDS agitators are fringe Jews working with
radical Arabs and far-left extremists.
But outside this gloom, there is also light.
While Israelis are exasperated with
corruption and the multiple allegations against the Netanyahus, were an
election to be held now, Benjamin Netanyahu would be re-elected. Support
for his Likud party is higher than any party has seen in decades.
Despite internal debates, the people of
Israel today are more united than ever. Most recognize that, given the
current Palestinian leadership, a Palestinian state would be a terrorist
state and a potential launching pad for Iran. There is an overwhelming
desire not to be an occupier, but separation must be conditional on
security.
In the wider U.S. population, there is
stronger support for Israel than ever, with enthusiastic support from
evangelical Christians.
The decision to relocate the U.S. Embassy
to Jerusalem was of enormous symbolic importance, as has been U.N.
Ambassador Nikki Haley's strident lambasting of those who employ double
standards against Israel. In addition, unlike his predecessor, Trump
does not refer to Abbas as a moderate. He has made it clear that an
institution which gives over $4 million annually from its foreign aid
grants to incentivize terrorists cannot be considered a peace partner.
The soon-to-be-announced Trump peace plan
will probably fail because the conflict is not about real estate. The
core issue remains the Palestinian desire to end Jewish sovereignty in
the region.
In this context, the U.S. decision to
reinstate sanctions on Iran – which Trump considered on the brink of
becoming a nuclear threshold state – was extremely positive. It may, in
time, bring about regime change.
Considering the long history of Russian
anti-Semitism, Russian President Vladimir Putin's warm relationship with
Netanyahu and Israel is unprecedented. Without Russian coordination,
the IDF could not have destroyed key Iranian targets in Syria. Putin has
also supported Israel's demand that Iran keep its distance from the
Israeli border.
In addition, Israel has developed important
relationships with India, China, and many African, Latin American and
Southeast Asian countries. While Western Europe is increasingly
susceptible to pressure from its vastly expanded Muslim constituencies,
the relationship with Eastern Europe is strengthening.
And Israel is now enjoying unofficial liaisons and allegedly exchanging intelligence with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states.
This is a truly incredible reversal of the isolated Israel of a decade ago.
Israel is a mini-superpower. Militarily, it
has successfully deterred Iran and its surrogates from embarking on
war. Economically, its amazing high-tech innovations attract
entrepreneurs from around the world and its revolutionary water
recycling technology assists other countries.
Finally, Israeli gas exports are expected to further strengthen its global links.
These positive factors more than offset the
negative elements referred to above. It is not surprising that, despite
some grumbling, Israelis are ranked as a happy people.
We should look at Israel today and, without
becoming complacent, reminisce about our position of only 10 years ago,
and give thanks to our leaders and the Almighty for our achievements.
Isi Leibler's website can be viewed at www.wordfromjerusalem.com. Email: ileibler@leibler.com.
Isi Leibler
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/opinions/balancing-dangers-and-opportunities/
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