An important element in the vision Jews have regarding the rest of the world, in Israel and the Diaspora, is based on a myth which its roots can be found between other sources in a wrong learning on the Holocaust. This myth indicates that the world is fill with anti-Semitism, sometimes open and sometimes latent, which leads the world to hate us.
This hate is expressed mainly in an open criticism towards Israel and leads to another wrong conclusion which states that Israel cannot count on anyone, hence it must be strong and hit before being hit. The paradox is that while we save no effort in fighting the delegitimization campaign we direct the same efforts to delegitimize all critics against Israel regardless from where it comes and what is its content.
Fortunately and as usual, reality is more complex. While there are voices, and they are not a few, which dedicate to a constant attack against Israel there are others who give their support or act in a way which legitimize and make of this country an active and important member of the international community. Let us see some examples.
Last week, for those who are tennis fans, the first round of the Fed Cup was played in Eilat. Between the participants there was world number one Carol Wozniacki from Denmark, Patty Schnyder from Switzerland, Magdalena Maleva from Bulgary, and Victoria Azarenko from Belarus. None of the players boycott the event, argued against the event being held in Israel or any other expression of protest.
For those who are football fans, 2013 will be a great year for Israel. A couple of weeks ago, this country was chosen to host the U21 European Championship. The same Europe and UEFA which we criticize for moving the matches away from Israel during the Intifada, decides now to give this country the chance to organize a top level tournament.
For basketball fans, every Thursday night you can enjoy Macabi Tel Aviv's Euroleague matches. The best teams in Europe fighting for a trophy Macabi already won five times. It is true that in more than one occasion the reception Macabi is given abroad, especially in Spain, is not very friendly; however, ask any South American football player how they are treated by away fans during the Copa Libertadores.
To sum up, at least in sports, Israel and Israeli teams are seen and accepted as legitimate competitors. For those who would like to question me based on the fact that Israel has to compete in Europe instead of Asia, let me tell you that if Israel was offered to compete in Asia it will still compete in Europe.
Critics will say that this is only in sports while in other areas the delegitimization is strong. In universities, despite the boycott efforts and the strong animosity in several campuses around the world, Israeli scholars enjoy wide prestige, participate in the most important international conferences and teach in the best universities in the world. In cinema, Israeli actresses and actors as well as Israeli movies are awarded in the most important festivals in the world.
What about politics? If we take into account the terrible fire at the Carmel, firefighting planes and firefighters from several countries came to help Israel, including airplanes and personnel from Turkey, despite Prime Minister Erdogan's stands and despite the feelings of Israel's Foreign Minister and Vice Minister.
Last week German chancellor, Angela Merkel, together with several members of parliament visited the country. Israel is one of the few States with which Germany has constant parliamentary visits. If it was not for the strike at the Foreign Ministry, Russian President Medvedev would have visited the country. We must add Sarkozy and Berlusconi between other visitors, as well as the recent visit of European members of parliament who came to show support for Israel. Economic relations with the EU are very strong. Relations with the United States are still strong. The fact that Obama does not agree with all what Netanyahu's government says and does (he is not the only one who disagrees with this government) does not mean that he has withdrawn his support for Israel; I would say that the contrary is true.
In the economic area, Israel has entered the OECD in 2010. For a country who everybody hates and in a world in which anti – Semitism rules, entering the OECD is difficult to explain.
What about Latin America where the left, which has not been a very good friend of Israel in the last decades, has gain power. We cannot deny that Chavez and company have save no efforts in expressing their anti – Semitism and hate to Israel. At the same time, in other States in which the left rules, the relations with Israel have been strong and prosperous. Israel is one of the few countries to have a free trade agreement with the Mercosur. Lula has been the first Brazilian president to visit the country, and the actual President, Dilma Rousseff, has expressed her support to Israel, has criticize Iran and has began to distance herself from Ajmedinajad. Uruguay is another example of good relations with Israel. Chilean president, Sebastian Piñera, has announced he will visit the country next March for example. These same countries have decided in the last months to recognize a Palestinian State, something that has generated some discontent in Israel and in the Jewish communities there. Is this an act of delegitimizing Israel or an act of anti – Semitism? Of course not.
Maintaining and feeding the myth by considering all criticism against Israel as an act of anti – Semitism, while declaring an unconditional support to Israel's government regardless of what they do, is wrong and dangerous. Supporting Israel not necessarily means supporting Israel's government or all actions of this government. This stand has been sustained mainly, though not exclusively, by the right, especially the US Jewish right wing. Interestingly, the criticism against Israel's government during the Oslo peace process or during the disconnection program was valid. We must end this hypocrisy and recognize that not everybody thinks the same and that not all criticism is anti – Semitism. Not everything the Israeli government does is correct and we must criticize the government when they act against our liberal values.
Does this means that everybody loves us or that there is no anti – Semitism or hate towards Israel? The answer is no. However, if we really want to fight the delegitimization campaign and we really want to improve Israel's image, then we must put an end to this myth, accept criticism when this is legitimate, criticize when it has to be done and denounce when it has to be denounced. For the good of Israel, for the future of Israel as a democratic State, it is time to end with this paranoia.
Recommended reading:
No comments:
Post a Comment