This week started with a very emotional Yom Hazikaron (Israel Memorial Day) ceremony where Israelis, Jews and friends around the world remembered and honored the 23,169 soldiers of the IDF, members of the Security Forces and pre-state underground fighters who lost their lives in the line of duty, as well as 2,495 civilians killed in terrorist attacks.
Unfortunately sixty six years after the rebirth of the Jewish homeland, Israel still faces challenges.
Israel’s 8.2 million citizens are surrounded by over 400 million Arabs who would prefer to see the country, together with its Jewish citizens, disappear from the region…one way or another.
The 1948 War of Independence, when seven Arab countries attacked Israel, and which was halted by a UN brokered “temporary” cease-fire in 1949, never really ended. It is still fought to this day:
- The 1950’s – Cross border attacks by Egyptian and Jordanian supported “Fedayeen” terrorists.
- 1956 – The Sinai Campaign to stop Fedayeen attacks and removed the Egyptian blockade of Elat.
- 1967 – The Six Day War against Egypt, Jordan and Syria
- 1967-1970 – The War of Attrition against Egypt and Jordan
- 1973 – The Yom Kippur War against Egypt and Syria
- 1978 – Operation Litani – against the PLO in Lebanon
- 1982-2000 – First Lebanon War (Operation Peace in the Galilee) against the PLO
- 1987-1993 – First Palestinian Intifada
- 2000-2004 – Second Palestinian Intifada
- 2006 – Second Lebanon War against Hezbollah
- 2008 – Operation Cast Lead (Gaza) against Hamas
- 2012 – Operation Pillar of Defense (Gaza) against Hamas and Islamic Jihad
- 2014 – Ongoing rocket fire from Gaza, attacks by Hezbollah along the northern borders, uptick in terrorist attacks in Israel and the territories, all triggering Israeli military responses.
The predictable failure of the US brokered peace talks, together with recent statements by regional Arab and Iranian leaders, indicate clearly this trend will only continue.
Senior Fatah official Tawfik Tirawi said that "the two-state solution does not exist." He called for Israel's destruction, asserting that "Palestine is Gaza, the West Bank, Haifa, Jaffa, Acre…all of Israel is Palestine”.
Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouk said this past weekend that Hamas does not intend to recognize Israel or abide by previously signed agreements. "Hamas will remain loyal to the right of return and to liberation".
Yahya Rahim Safavi, a top military adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said last Saturday that Iran’s first line of defense is now the Lebanese border with Israel.
But at least Israel is peace with Egypt and Jordan, right? At the moment yes. And these peace treaties are beneficial to all. However when the Muslim Brotherhood came to power in Egypt they immediately called for a nullification of the treaty and cessation of all trade and cultural ties with the “Zionist enemy”.
And recent opinion polls in Jordan show an exponential growth in Hamas membership and Muslim Brotherhood supporters, leading to more vocal calls against the peace treaty with Israel.
Israel at sixty six is strong, vibrant, and by all accounts determined to continue fulfilling the 2,000 year old dream of our fathers. The Zionist Project will continue to thrive, continue to expand medical, scientific and technological boundaries…and continue to be a light unto the nations.
Israel may have to live by the sword for the foreseeable future, but I’m not worried. I know that the IDF, today stronger than ever, together with the Israeli security services and the most innovative high-tech, engineering and scientific minds in the world, will continue, as they have over the past sixty six years, to keep Israel safe, secure and prosperous – even if sometimes the price, as we remembered last Sunday, will be excruciatingly painful.
Agree or disagree, that’s my opinion.
DISCLAIMER: Opinions expressed above the writer’s, and do not represent SWJC directors, officers or members
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