Thoughts about the Situation in Israel
We receive many emails about Israel, and support for Israel, in the present difficult situation, which so far have not been forwarded to you. However, as we approach Yom Hashoah and Yom Ha'atazamut, the following item seemed appropriate and helpful.

Dear Friend
I hope this e-mail finds you well, happy to eat Chametz again...
I am fairly sure when I say that also for you Pessach has been much more difficult this year then any previous year. The reports of the score of Israelis being killed and wounded during the festival, the visions of Israeli tanks entering Palestinian cities, has made us all wonder: Is there an end to this vicious cycle ?
As a Jew, viewing the escalation of violence (in the last year and half) has left me increasingly speechless. On the one hand, I support Israel’s right to protect itself in all my heart. On the other hand, I am very aware of the growing moral price the Israeli society is paying as a result of this 100 year long conflict. Being able to explain, for myself, what is right and what is wrong, what is acceptable and what is evil has become a key priority.
That is why, the attached article by Amos Oz, the famous Israeli writer, has helped me clarify what is the struggle that we are facing.
In his article, Amos Oz draws a clear picture of the situation stating

"Two wars are taking place. The first is the war of the Palestinian people and their right to be freed from occupation and establish an independent state. Any decent person will support such an objective.
The other war is the war of the fanatical Islam, from Iran to Gaza and from Lebanon to Kalkilya, to destroy Israel and uproot the Jewish people from its homeland. Every decent person will despise such a sinful war.
The origin of embarrassment, confusion and simplicity , for us as well as for the entire world, is in the fact that Yassar Arafat and his men are running these two wars as one, and are running them at the same time. Probably, the murders-suicides can not tell apart between these two wars. And even decent and peace and justice seekers, in Israel and around the world, are falling in this trap."

In his simple words, Amos Oz has managed to point out that the current IDF attack is not against the Palestinian struggle for an independent state, but against the Jihad that was declared against the existence of Israel and the real terror (literally) they have spread.
For me, his short article was a reminder that the State of Israel does not exist to oppress the Palestinians. The State of Israel does not exist to enforce a Jewish-western culture on the Middle East. The State of Israel does not exist to keep a powerful army.
The State of Israel is about the challenge of building a Jewish society in the 21st century. A society that is rooted in its past and strives for a better future. A society that is democratic and fair and gives the opportunity to all it its citizens to live a safe and meaningful life.
As we move towards Yom Hashoa (Holocaust day), Yom Hazikaron (Israel's remembrance day) and Yom Ha'atzmaut (Israel's 54th Independence day), I hope we will be able to remember that the cause of our struggle is to celebrate life, celebrating having a free Jewish life in Israel.
Your response is welcomed,
Doron
 doron@masorti.org.uk