Those Who Are Honest

Forty-two years ago the world was stunned by Israel’s brilliant rescue of the 102 kidnapped civilians held in Entebbe Airport. What many didn’t know was that Israel possessed the blueprints of the Uganda city’s airport and that fact contributed to the success of the mission. Why did they have those blueprints? Because in the 1960s Uganda was just one of the newly independent eastern African nations who benefited from aid workers, military advisers and agricultural knowledge sent to them from Israel. This was done, despite the fact, that then Israel was a struggling start-up nation itself.

Today, anyone who follows the news knows that Israeli aid leads the way all over the world. Just watch the video.





Israel has sent professionals along with volunteers to Nepal after their earthquake, to Japan following their tsunami, to Houston in light of their hurricane, and to the Syrian border in the midst of the civil war. That’s just a small part of the list. And, although Israel doesn’t refuse any country in need of aid, that caring is often not reciprocated.

Boycotting Israel has become the favourite pastime of many. Still, I don’t think we’ll ever see the scenario depicted in this cartoon. Israel continues to help despite the color, religion, or political beliefs of those in need. Yet, last week when Israel passed the Nationality Law that declared we are a Jewish country with Hatikva as our national anthem and Hebrew our national language we’re condemned across the globe.

I know I’m not a political expert but I’m not an airhead either and I can’t understand the logic. If we’d declared no Christians would be allowed to live in Israel… If we’d ruled Arabs cannot own any property… If we’d voted to strip all non-Jewish citizens of their right to vote… Then I’d agree it was a racist law.

Instead the Knesset ratified something that is patently obvious. Israel is a Jewish country, the only Jewish country in the world. As a Jewish country we’re a home for every Jew. Throughout history Jews were known for their philanthropies and that is still true today.

Those who are honest will agree many of those philanthropies benefited a large portion of non-Jews. Those who are honest will admit Israel is not racist. Those who are honest will acknowledge that the Jewish people have a right to their own country.

Every day, with every prayer, we recite the Aleinu, our heartfelt plea for the time when to G-d every knee will bend, and every tongue swear loyalty and all will give honour to His precious name and all will take upon themselves the yoke of His rule. I believe that time is coming soon. When it does the lies and hypocrisies will fade away. Israel will no longer be condemned, boycotted, or disdained.