The Likud-Herut headquarters in Britain accused Sacks of being "used by people who, at best, cannot be described as friends of Israel." The political party branch accused Sacks of encouraging Israel's enemies, charging him with "moral blindness."I realize this perspective is unusual on this board as anything to the right of Shimon Perez is immediately shouted down with howls of indignation.
Betar-Tagar, the youth movement affiliated with Herut and the Likud, called for Sacks' resignation, claiming he added "fuel to the burning fire of the conflict. When anti-Semitism in Britain and the world is rising, we do not expect our chief rabbi to support the enemies of Israel and their propaganda."
Rabbi Sholom Gold, dean of the Jerusalem College for Adults, told BBC Radio: "We who are living here day in and day out, our perspective is the one that really counts." The Palestinian agenda was "the destruction of the State of Israel," he said.
"For this there is only one response. The only moral response that is compatible with Jewish belief is to stand up and fight and defend yourself. And every act of that sort is not immoral; on the contrary it is the height of morality."
Still, when pressed, he will admit the anguish Israel's own conduct causes him. "There are things that happen on a daily basis which make me feel very uncomfortable as a Jew." He was "profoundly shocked" by reports of smiling Israeli soldiers posing for a photograph with the corpse of a slain Palestinian. "There is no question that this kind of prolonged conflict, together with the absence of hope, generates hatreds and insensitivities that in the long run are corrupting to a culture."I am sure the good Rabbi in the tradition of the Court Jew is only doing what he thinks is best. No need to upset the barbarians lest they get in a Jew killing mood. What is it about Jews in the UK? When not busy condemning Israel, they are renouncing their citizenship to gain favor with the anti-Semites. G-d have mercy on us all.
"The righteous man shall rejoice when he sees vengeance. He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. And Mankind shall say, 'Truly there is a reward for the righteous. Truly there is a God Who judges on Earth.'" (Psalms 58:11-12)
Would he join those rabbis who have described the occupation as morally corrupting? He answers by telling how, in 1967, in the immediate aftermath of the Six Day war, he had a rare argument with his late father. "I was convinced that Israel had to give back all the land for the sake of peace. My father, bless him, was convinced that Israel's neighbours would never make peace. Thirty five years later, I think we were both right."
"Observe thou that which I command this day; behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Peruzite and the Hivite and the Jesubite. Take heed to thyself lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land that you come upon, lest it be a snare in your midst." Exodus (34:11- 12)
In any case, the very Jewish habit of labelling Jews with very different ideas as being akin to enemies of the Jewish people is tragically divisive and counterproductive.That is exactly what my mother, G-d bless her, is always telling me, but alas I seem to be tragically incapable of grasping it. Thus far my attempts at moderation have failed miserably, much to her dismay. I do appreciate the comment though.
« Older All you need is three chords and a guitar? Zac 'Mr... | Australian government refuses ... Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by MiguelCardoso at 1:34 AM on August 27, 2002