Changes in Israel
Gisela Carlsohn looks at positive developments in Israel
Earlier in the year there was much vilification of Israel in the press, following their actions in the Gaza Strip. Even the Friend had some antagonistic articles. I considered this stance to be unfair in view of the negative attitude of the Arab states against Israel, repeatedly vowing to drive the Jewish state into the sea. Dieter Bonhoeffer was an exceptional scion of very old stock who brought forth his own fruit. He exhorted his congregation: ‘Pray as though work was futile. Work as though prayer was futile.’ Devout Christians in Germany have been doing so for centuries. Therefore, since I was unable to work for ‘peace in the Holy Land’, I resorted to prayer. And I have been praying ever since.
Then suddenly there came some amazing news. A joyful feast took place in Israel, celebrating the fact that gays no longer have to hide away. And all whose hearts were at last free of the fear of discovery and cruel persecution came rushing to the party from all directions. Among them was a young man from beyond the high wall with which Israel has surrounded itself, the high wall that makes life even more unbearable for the Palestinians. By his action he was risking being disowned by his family, should they find out about it; indeed the family itself might then be persecuted by outraged neighbours. But so strong was the pull of this great celebration that the young man didn’t care about all that. He had to take part.
This is completely new and unprecedented – a breakthrough. The next breakthrough was reported in The Guardian (24 October) under the heading ‘Who speaks for US Jews? Liberals – Rise of lobbyists who refuse to give Israel unconditional support is welcomed by White House but seen as threat by traditionalists’.
Before I resorted to prayer, I considered it most important in practical terms to support those who oppose the official policies of the Israeli government. The Guardian report revealed, firstly, that many American Jews are not alienated from those who claim to speak in their name: ‘there is a very large constituency of Jewish Americans who do care about Israel and who are cool identifying themselves as pro-Israel. But [their attitude] is about the need for Israel to be at peace with its neighbours to gain security, not by being an ongoing expansionist presence.’
Secondly, the result of a poll reveals that seventy-six per cent of US Jews favour a two-state solution. Therefore, ‘there are people in Israel who understand they’ve got a significant problem. Israel is alienating Jewish communities around the world. They risk losing young people, saying that Israel is not part of who I am.’
Earlier in the year I was worried about dissidents inside Israel. Now I see that liberal Jews from all around the world are coming to their aid.
