THE case for Israel

This past Thursday night a few friends and I went to the Jerusalem film premier of the book-made to film- “A Case for Israel,” by Alan Dershwitz. Aside from my interest in supporting a fellow alpha gam-ish (My kid’s real mom Gloria Greenfield, produced the film) I saw this film as an opportunity to not only experience Israeli culture ( it was debuting at the famous Jerusalem cinemateque, overlooking the old city- NOT to be confused with the Jerusalem theater-which we did) but an opportunity to be presented with a very popular position in Israel as well as the global Jewish community- the right. A case for Israel interviewed a plethora of important, famous, well educated Israeli leaders, political figures, American professors, UN personnel and the like. The film presented numerous shocking, valid, strong points about Israel’s political, moral and ethical role in the world. Like any good pro-Israel film- the beginning clips explained the historical facts regarding the early years of Israel. ( Turns out when the Jews in England wanted to buy land in Israel, for the most part, they were being sold by former land lords from the Ottoman Empire- who hired the local Arabs to work the fields. ALSO, when the state was formed, Arabs were allowed to vote in the first elections.) And let me tell you, if you weren’t pro-israel before this film convinced you why you should be. Here are some of the points that stuck out to me:

- It is absolutely unbelievable that people- who claim to be human activists, feminist, pacifists, environmentalists, and the rest of that list of leftist personas- have pinned Israel to fight against and criticized for crimes against humanity. Aside from the fact that Israel happens to be extremely forward thinking, and just ( Israel’s supreme court hears cases every day of Palestinians in the territories- and often grants them what them plead for- where else does that happen?), there is a disgustingly long list of nations who murder innocent people because of their religion, their nationality, their political alignment etc- and those human rights activists are silent toward them? Most poignant to this point was one of Alan Dershowitz’s comments which to an extent were-the world pays attention when Jews kill Muslims, the world pays attention when Christians kill Muslims, but no one seems to care if Muslims kill Muslims. There is a much deeper problem underneath the hate most Arabs have for the Jews and that is the hate and disrespect that have for each other. How can peace be achieved with a people that don’t even have peace among themselves?

Throughout the film it was made very clear, the inequality with which Israel continues to fight for peace. The commander of the Israeli army was interviewed about Israel’s military operations, specifically about those most recently in Gaza. He commented on Israel’s moral dilemma in their military initiatives- the moral decision to let a kassam rocket fly into Israel and potential kill innocent children at a school or preemptively stop the kassam from taking off from where it is being launched from a school in Gaza
After the film ended those who were interviewed (at least 6 of them) came onto the stage!! Academics, UN representatives, and the famous Natan Sharansky, sat on the stage and answered questions regarding the film. Natan Sharansky most beautifully and poignantly responded to a man’s question about the outcome of the “Arab Israel conflict,” that a huge problem in Israel- is that we are fighting among each other- not united against the enemy.

The film brought up numerous questions, thoughts, dilemmas, hopes and disappointments for me. Coupled with my experience here so far, I left the film feeling extremely concerned for the welfare of the Jewish state. My understanding of the issues here is becoming clearer as I continue to become immersed in Israeli culture. It still astounds me everyday however, that I leave my dorm behind another student wearing a head covering. Often it is hard to tell who is Arab and who isn’t- its hard to know who to trust- is the glare because I am American, a women, a Jew? I have, therefore, taken on the mentality I assuming only the best- what else can there be?

I have many more thoughts on this topic, and I’m sure as time goes on that they will come to a more ripe understanding.

I would love to hear your feedback!

With love,
Sara