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Why Israel will never give in to terror tactics
Friday, 17 April 2009
Steven Jaffe and Terry McCorran, co-chairs of the newly-formed Northern Ireland Friends of Israel group, call on Sinn Fein president, Gerry Adams, to back initiatives to broker a peace deal in the Middle East
Last month we launched a new organisation, Northern Ireland Friends of Israel, with a meeting at Stormont. We had only three weeks to organise the event. Yet people crammed into Parliament Buildings.
There were pastors and secularists, Christians and Jews, representatives of rival political parties, academics, trade unionists and members of the public — many of whom had travelled the length and breadth of Northern Ireland to be there. We now know we could have filled the Great Hall many times over.
Was our meeting a knee-jerk reaction to the great sympathy that many people feel here for the Palestinians? Were people turning up to fight the conflict in Northern Ireland by alternative means?
Lord Steinberg, our president, spoke of “the longstanding links which connect Northern Ireland and Israel”. The sixth president of Israel, Chaim Herzog, was born in Belfast. In addition, thousands of Northern Irish people have visited Israel as pilgrims, more per head than from any other part of the UK. Thanks to Bible classes, many children here are as familiar with the geography of the Holy Land as they are of their own country.
For some of our supporters, Israel marks the fulfilment of Biblical prophecy. The survival of the Jews over a 2,000 year exile, ingathered from the four corners of the earth, is a modern-day miracle. For others, equally significant is the fact that the Israeli state is, with all its faults, the only nation in the Middle East with a western-style democracy. It has a free media, independent courts, and an effective trades union movement, which offers freedom of worship and political rights to its Christian and Muslim minorities. It is a refugee state of Holocaust survivors and hundreds of thousands of Jews kicked out of Arab lands.
It is also the state which showed its commitment to peace by signing treaties with Egypt and Jordan, and offering Palestinian statehood to the late Yasser Arafat, only for Arafat to reject the Clinton-brokered deal and launch the second intifada. And when there was no partner for peace, Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005, which was to be the first step towards a two state solution. Maybe it is the sheer “chutzpah” of five million Jews flourishing against the odds, hated by the surrounding countries, threatened with obliteration by Iran, but causing the desert to bloom, developing a high tech economy, and reviving the Hebrew language as an everyday tongue.
Perhaps we shouldn't have been so surprised by the turnout. The great interest here in the Middle East, has been brought into sharp focus by the visit of Gerry Adams to the region. Mr Adams met with Hamas, deemed a terrorist organisation by the USA, UK and Israel, and as a result the Israeli government decided not to meet with him.
Gerry Adams recently presided at the launch of a report by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions which describes Israel in the most lurid terms as a racist state. The ICTU leadership calls for Israel to be boycotted. Unfortunately, this does not sit well with Gerry Adams's position that he respects the rights of Israelis and Palestinians and that dignity for all is the way to achieve peace.
Many people here, nationalist and unionist, appreciate that a secure and confident Israel is vital for the difficult compromises which lie ahead. By contrast, demonising Israel and calling for it to be boycotted, encourages extremism and is based on the delusion that the world's only Jewish state should be demoralised and destroyed.
In Northern Ireland we have seen Israeli workers harassed at CastleCourt, the Israeli flag burnt at City Hall, shoppers intimidated at Marks & Spencer and anti-semitic graffiti daubed on Christian places of worship.
In contrast, the Northern Ireland Friends of Israel calls for meaningful engagement with all those who are committed to a durable and fair resolution of the conflict. We wish to foster good relations between all the peoples of our countries and to further a better understanding between them. In particular, we want to see Israel's case fairly presented in the local media, to achieve a more balanced coverage of what is a complex and historic problem.
Gerry Adams has called on the international community to bring Hamas into the peace process because of its electoral mandate.
Like him, we agree that Hamas must be put to the test. The political parties in Northern Ireland signed up to the democratic and non-violent Mitchell principles. Likewise, for Hamas to be brought to the negotiating table it must commit itself to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, recognise Israel's right to exist, and sign up to existing commitments between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Mr Adams says he has come away with assurances from the Hamas leader that he is committed to peace and even that he accepts a two state solution — we would like to know whether these startling assertions can be backed up in practical terms.
We welcome Gerry Adams's call for an end to the missile attacks on Israel. He must surely know that if there were no attacks on Israel then Israel would not have launched its attack on Hamas, with its terrible consequences for the people of Gaza.
The 5,500 missile attacks on Israel (still ongoing despite the recent cease-fire), the fact that over a million Israelis live within 15 seconds of a bomb shelter, is not acceptable.
But if he sits down with the leader of Hamas, Gerry Adams must also call for Hamas to scrap its anti-semitic charter. Article 7 of the Hamas charter states that the day of justice for Muslims will arrive when every last Jew has been killed. Hamas gives effect to this aspiration by suicide bombs and missiles fired randomly into civilian areas. It rejects all peace processes and says Islamic struggle will eventually obliterate Israel. Can Mr Adams really be surprised that Israel, of all nations, won't speak to an adversary which is committed to genocide against it?
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30 Comments
having served in the gaza strip in 1960-61,as part of the (u.n.e.f) it was obvious to me that the palestinians were hemmed in a small space with terrible conditions,of the most overpopulated piece of land on the planet,it was inevitable that,when the u.n. left the gaza strip they had no one to turn to,once again religious hatred has won the day
Posted by patrick.j.toms | 08.05.09, 19:26 GMT
The support for the Palestinian people + anger/disgust with the Israeli state, for its actions on Palestinian people, is not about their Jewish faith. People use the antisemetic card any time pro Palestinain ideals are shown, then get angry if the racist card is played against Israel. The fact that Israel would not meet Adams shows the mentality of the state. Of the 1300 killed in OCL, 86% were confirmed innocent, 400 were Women + Children. I would refuse to accept that from anyone
Posted by Chris | 28.04.09, 11:13 GMT
So let me get this straight in my head then. The real reason why you all support Israel is due to your interpretations of the old testament of the bible which Christianity, as an off shoot of Judaism, shares as a holy book.
So my belief that the Israeli state is in a large part at least populated by unapologetic war criminals and their supporters is based on my interpretation of the facts of recent history in the last century while your belief that they are not is based on the old testament of the bible.
Starz for your information the most recent crops of strawberries, oranges and other cash crops rotted in the fields of Gaza due to the current Israeli blocakde. With 80% of Gazans on UN food Aid and living below the poverty line saying that they should eat fruit reminds me of Marie Antoinette.
Both sides need to come together and resolve their issues through dialogue for their childrens sakes!
Posted by Bren | 22.04.09, 16:58 GMT
Supporting Israel is not morally justified as they are doing appalling criminal actions against the people of Gaza and that is fact. You can't fool us any longer.
Posted by Patrick Murphy | 22.04.09, 12:46 GMT
Thanks steven. There is growing support west of the Bann among bible-believers who support Israel. Be encouraged!
Posted by Jerry | 22.04.09, 11:14 GMT
i would like to respond to the criticisms against israel. i, plus many others in the nw of ireland, non christian and christian, have been appalled at the bias and distorted facts presented regarding israel over the years. no nation is perfect, but the virulence with which israel has been attacked is mind boggling. israel has provided the palestinians with free healthcare and education, much of the funding sent to the w. bank doesn't get there thanks to the terrorist groups there who have ruled them ruthlessly. many arabs admit life is better under israeli rule, especially christian arabs who are being tortured and killed for their faith. the un created the refuge camps not israel. 95% of children in the sderot area have post traumatic stress syndrom, 8,000 rockets fired into israel last year. western ideals, judeo-christian thinking does not work in this situation because the islamic mindset is totally different, i could say much more. please patrick look at whats really happening
Posted by is | 21.04.09, 22:06 GMT
The reasons why Christians support Israel is not due to guilt from the Holocaust, but like the Jews themselves as 'people of the book' they believe the ancient prophecies in the Hebrew Bible, many of which predict the people of Israel's eventual return to Zion. The lack of spiritual insight in many reports offers no positive explanation to events unfolding in the Middle East. Christian support will remain strong even in the difficult times and this will be demonstrated in Northern Ireland Friends of Israel. "Shalom".
Colin Nevin, Bangor.
Posted by Colin Nevin | 21.04.09, 22:03 GMT
Ger, do you know Gaza exports fruit and vegetables to Israel? Despite all the miseries Hamas has brought on Gaza from internal repression and futile missile attacks on Israel, starvation isn't one of them. I suspect you would wish it was otherwise so you could hate the Israelis that little bit more!
Posted by Starz | 21.04.09, 19:52 GMT
well done after 2 years of work its good to see that all this is happening now, good luck to all of you, and a job well done Terry and Steven, it was a wonderful evening and i wish you many more, just looking at the news yesterday you can see that there is support for Israel from the wider world community. There is a lot of work to be done and it's not all perfect but one day hopefully there will be peace. More support will make this easier to achieve.
Posted by lilach | 21.04.09, 19:25 GMT
ger
It seems you would prefer to let the killing go on untill some how the books balance. Maybe you would should open Borders so that suicide bombers can walk on to a bus and kill or walk into a market and kill. You seem to forget the IDF is invovled in a war it does not want, we dont want war we dont want one more death on any side. NIFI would like two states living in peace but both sides must want peace. We believe peace starts with the people talking to each other with accepting each others right to exist. peace can work from the bottom up the person in the street can make peace happen when allowed. You may not like it but Israel is a Democracy maybe not a perfect one (Not Sure I Can Think Of a Perfect Democracy) but it is a Democracy. Hamas is not they dont agree with Unions they dont agree with Equal rights for Women, they teach hate to their children. And the Big Question is do they want peace with Israel. As for supporting Israel is it right to support Democracy? YES
Terry
Posted by Terry | 21.04.09, 16:22 GMT
Patrick, are you watching what is playing out in Geneva right now at the UN anti-racism conference? Libya is in the chair, the visiting dignitary is the president of Iran. If it wasn't for the US veto the UN in its current form would have voted Israel out of existence. Israel's existence has the support of the democratic world, not just the USA, and that is good enough for me. The main UN resolution 242 calls for Israel's withdrawal from territories on the basis of a comprehensive peace between the parties. It doesn't require Israel to hand the West Bank over to Hamas bent on Israel's destruction, so that Iranian missiles can rain down on them from that direction also.
Posted by Adam | 21.04.09, 14:18 GMT
STEVEN: Are you seriously suggesting that we give automatic support to Israel because of European guilt over the holocaust?
What nonsense! Israel doesn't get carte blanche for its illegal settlements, starvation seige of Gaza and willingness to slaughter civilians under its doctrine of 'disproportionality' simply because of events in European in the middle of the last century.
Indeed one would think that such a history would prevent them from treating the Palestinians so brutally. Instead we have Israeli ministers threatening the Gaza population with a 'shoah' (holocaust) of their own.
Look at the statistics for the region. Discover who has killed the most civilians over the last few decades (PS...its theIDF). And ask yourself is supporting israel really morally justified??
Posted by ger | 21.04.09, 14:16 GMT
Bren, perhaps I shouldn't respond for Simon as I'm not a Christian. I won't mention Christian theological justification for supporting Israel which you either believe or don't. But can you accept the fact that a significant reason why the state of Israel exists is that much of Christian Europe found it impossible to allow its Jewish minority basic rights? Not just Nazi Germany, but throughout the continent and for centuries. Many Christians feel ashamed of this aspect of their history and feel a responsibility for the Jews who were evicted, deported or murdered in Christian lands within living memory, and forced to fight for their survival in the Middle East. That seems a perfectly logical and understandable position to me why Israel deserves Christian understanding and support.
Posted by Steven | 21.04.09, 09:56 GMT
Your appalling treatment of the Palestinians is a crime against humanity. You violate constantly UN resolutions flagrantly, 242, 337 and 1442 and then you attack Gaza and murder many people. You do yourselves no favours at all. I am opposed utterly to terrorism by Arab groups against you and the holocaust was the greatest crime in the history of the world, but why are you hemming in the poor Palestinians? You have an appalling government. You can get away with you violation of the UN resolutions because you have the backing of the US. Shame on you for what you have done to the Palestinians. I oppose terrorism in all its forms, and terrorism is always always wrong.
Posted by Patrick Murphy | 21.04.09, 02:01 GMT
What a brilliant and well balance article. Well done to Steven and Terry and every success to the Northern Ireland friends of Israel. May you go from strength to strength!!
Posted by Lorraine | 20.04.09, 22:55 GMT
Steven Jaffe and Terry McCorran present their case cogently; one can only wish well to Northern Ireland Friends of Israel. Colin Armstrong.
Posted by Colin Armstrong | 20.04.09, 16:12 GMT
Simon can you elaborate on the statement "Israel deserves and needs the support of Christians," as I can't think as to why, logically, this should be the case.
I agree Steven when you say that "viable and secure Israeli and Palestinian states" is the outcome that most right thinking people wish to see. However I believe Israel to be the cause of their own bad publicity. I have no expectations for Hamas to act in any way or than as terrorists, that's what they are after all. I do have expectations that Israel, as a democratic nation, will not ignore UN resolutions and furthermore will not engage in war crimes and terror against the Palestinian population either within or outside its borders.
Or am I another victim of the media bias you are talking about?!?!?!?
Posted by Bren | 20.04.09, 14:29 GMT
Well said!
The problem is that Gerry Adams likes to talk out of both sides of his mouth, and I suspect the only Israel he is willing to see existing is one which signs its own death warrant by throwing open the gates to millions of Arabs claiming (usually spuriously or on the basis of very short residence)that their ancestors were "refugees". No Israeli government will ever do this.
IRA trained with the Fatah, PFLP and neo-Nazi organisations such as the Hoffman Group in Lebanon and with the PLO and East Germans in Aden and elswhere.
Israel deserves and needs the support of Christians-whether Protestant or Catholic-and democrats everywhere. Am Yisrael chai!
Posted by Simon McIlwaine | 20.04.09, 13:21 GMT
Nigel, your point is fair. We did mention Israel "with all its faults". We didn't set out examples of these faults in our article because there is no shortage of people and groups providing anti-Israel info out there. We are seeking to redress the balance, not whitewash any party. Israel is a democracy under fire, and like other states in that position it can act unwisely under immense provocation. However, we do think that it has a proven record of wanting and achieving peace which needs to be recognised. Israel is not the mirror image of Hamas.
Many thanks to everyone below for their support. It would be good to have open and genuine dialogue with Palestinian supporters, most of us want the same thing - viable and secure Israeli and Palestinian states.
Steven
Posted by Steven | 20.04.09, 09:22 GMT
Steven & Terry
A well written piece all of which I agree.
My concern is not what you have mentioned but what you have not - to me a true friend (in any context) is also prepared, when necessary, to tell their friend when they are doing something wrong.
Are you prepared to tell Israel (people, government, institutions and so on) when it is doing something wrong?
The attitude of "my country right or wrong" has caused massive damage everywhere (not least Northern Ireland) - more voices simply supporting every Israeli action does not in my view actually benefit anyone - especially Israel.
Your thoughts...
Posted by Nigel Watson | 20.04.09, 08:57 GMT
30 Comments