UNITED STATES:

A World without Mozart (Paula R. Stern, February 06, 2003, Arutz)

As reported by Arutz-7's Israel National News, the Shinui party’s Avraham Poraz told Israel Radio this morning that families should not have more than four children unless they have the means to support them. At first, I thought to ask Knesset member Poraz to define “means.” Should families with an income of 7,000 NIS per month be allowed to have more children while those earning 6,999 NIS per month be limited to only four? Perhaps 10,000 NIS or 12,000 NIS? If the family only brings in 3,000 NIS, should they perhaps be limited to only two children? What is the minimum amount a couple must earn in order to be allowed to have even a single child? Is this amount tied to the US dollar, the Euro? Is it before or after taxes? [...]

At the bottom of this statement by MK Poraz is his deep-seated hatred of the ultra-Orthodox. Poraz would have us believe that they are parasites, unworthy of their place in our society. They serve no one, no purpose. They do not work. They do not serve in the army. They take, but they do not give. They are a burden on our society.

It’s hard to argue with numbers. It’s true that many do not work, that most do not serve in the army and that larger families require more finances and therefore often need more assistance. But largely ignored by Shinui are some of the more amazing things that the Haredim do. I have seen a Haredi man put his arms around a woman to comfort her in the aftermath of a terrorist attack. I’ve watched them run to the scenes as others run away. We will all be forever haunted by the images of Haredim gathering pieces of human flesh for burial. How can you put a value on this? I have never seen MK Poraz do this gruesome task.

The Haredim have created a network of organizations to help families in crisis. Because they don’t take the easy way out and abort Downs Syndrome babies, the Haredi world has developed special schools to serve the needs of these children.

How can you know in advance the worth of a child, what amazing things he might discover, what wonders she might invent? The Haredim that I know are wonderful people, who have raised respectful children, and who offer great service to our society and to our country. It’s true that they pay less taxes, but is that the only way we have to measure our citizens?

The rise of the anti-religious Shinui may be the worst thing to happen to Israel since the original Zionists embraced socialism. If Israel is to become a secular state then what is the point of its existence? If its population begins falling again then how long can it last in a sea of hostile Arabs? And, in the meantime, can it be healthy in any democracy for one of its major party's to be organized around hatred of other members of the society?

Add to that American anti-Zionist Jews:
US Jews feel rising heat of Israel debate: Open criticism of Israel is strongly discouraged, but some say discussion is vital. (Jane Lampman, 2/06/03, The Christian Science Monitor)

In the third year of the latest tragic phase of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, American Jews are beginning to renew their long debate over whether open discussion of Israeli and US policies contributes to a stronger Israel or threatens its survival.

The community has always been uncomfortable with the public airing of critical views of any Israeli government, Jewish leaders say. At a time of terrorist bombings, many see it as anathema.

"It is detrimental when American Jewish groups pressure Israel for concessions that could endanger its safety," says Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America.

But others feel strongly that failing to speak out on what they view as a slippage in democratic values and a devaluing of negotiations is no longer acceptable.

"There are serious risks to Israel's democracy being openly discussed in Israel," says Jeremy Ben-Ami, of the New York-based New Israel Fund (NIF), "and there has been a resounding silence from the community in this country."

...and combine it all with the special relationship that exists between America and Israel, Grief tightens U.S.-Israeli bond (Yossi Klein Halevi, 2/04/03, Jewish World Review):

Beyond national pride, the joint voyage into space represented for Israelis an almost mystical entwining of both our destinies. "It's a sign from G-d about our common fate," a secular friend said to me. Several Israeli newspaper columnists noted that Ramon, one of the Israeli pilots who destroyed Iraq's nuclear reactor in 1981, was included on an American space shuttle just as Washington prepares for war against Saddam Hussein.

Though Israel is barely the size of New Jersey, the two nations share common values and origins. Both were founded by immigrants inspired by biblical humanism. Both are societies whose diversity is a microcosm of humanity. Israel is one of the few countries where America is still regarded without cynicism as the world's great defender of freedom. And Americans appreciate Israel as a laboratory for testing the durability of democracy under duress.

Israelis love America. On Israeli Independence Day, some motorists in the Jewish State fly the Israeli and American flags. And although a U.S. attack could make us the first target of Saddam's revenge, most Israelis back the war. For Israelis, U.S. support represents far more than foreign aid. It is proof that Jews aren't fated to once again become a pariah people. Israelis were especially grateful that Ramon was included in the shuttle crew at a time when the Jewish state has been widely demonized for defending itself against terrorism.

Perhaps the ultimate moment in U.S.-Israeli relations occurred on July 4, 1976. Just as America began celebrating its 200th anniversary, Israeli commandos flew hundreds of miles across hostile territory and rescued a hundred Jews hijacked by Palestinian terrorists at Uganda's Entebbe airport. The rescue became an instant legend and was celebrated by Americans as a fulfillment of the spirit of 1776.

...and you have to wonder if the eventual, fate of Israel might not be to become an American state. Such a state would lose its distinctly Jewish identity and become more like a Utah, but would be preserved as a world enclave of Judaism. That would be better than many of the more likely alternatives.

Posted by Orrin Judd at February 6, 2003 1:14 PM