Israel...In A Positive Light?

By Allan Saxe, WBAP Political Analyst

It is not popular today to write of Israel in a positive manner. And Israel is not a perfect place. Where is perfection among any nation-state? Part of our criticism derives from Israeli openness, the ability of the world's press to travel, demonstrators to gather, and its own population to criticize and debate. The Israeli Parliament is a place of constant fiery debate where even its Arab members speak out freely against government policy. Where else in any adjoining country is there any hint of this kind of open debate?

The tiny country is a robust democracy, even in the midst of constant warfare and terrorism. This alone is a unique feat. There is not a single country in the Middle East, outside of Israel, that is remotely democratic. Most are autocratic dictatorships without a hint of democratic or freedom enhancing principles.

There is a saying, "One becomes known by his enemies," holds true for Israel. Its most intransigent enemies are Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Libya, and the Sudan. Who could invent such a list of enemies? They range from divine right kingdoms like Saudi Arabia to the police states of Syria and the slave-owning state of Sudan , which has enslaved so many Christians in the south. The only uniting factor among these and other dictatorial regimes in the region is their hatred of Israel. One commentator, has stated, "If there was no Israel they would have to invent one."

The population of Israel is about that of the DFW area. In fifty years this tiny place has assembled a sturdy military, sophisticated economy, scientific, cultural and musical accomplishments. Last week it was announced that Israeli scientists had grown heart cells from embryo stem cells and developed a miniature camera which when swallowed can photograph internal organs. The Dallas Morning News last week in a headline stated "3 Israeli Students Capture T I's Prize." The Dallas Morning News story reported that three Israeli students had won a prize from Texas Instruments in developing an "audio-digital watermarking system that could have applications...for many areas of communication."

These three young Israelis beat out competitors from 30 other countries with 200 entries.

Its parade of scientists is noteworthy in a variety of fields from agriculture to mathematics. Though Albert Einstein was not an Israeli he was offered the honorary presidency of Israel in its first years. He declined out of his distaste for any form of nationalism. However, Chaim Weizmann, a noted scientist of the day, was a prolific inventor who assisted the British in World War I, became Israel's first president, a largely symbolic role. The noted researcher, Albert Sabin, inventor of the oral polio vaccine became the head of an Israeli university.

After the early establishment of Israel, in the 1950s, Israeli agricultural experts were all over Africa assisting in irrigation and a host of other projects to develop the continent. It was forced out by Arab oil exporting countries flexing their muscles over African importers. Its musical talent is impressive. The Israeli Philharmonic's honorary conductor is the noted Zubin Mehta. The first conductor was the great Italian Arturo Toscanini.

The United States has helped Israel mightily. But its largesse has been returned. Its aid, mostly in defense, helps keep our aircraft assembly lines alive. Indeed, its heralded air force has helped the United States in evaluating combat planes in actual battle. Today, the United States is critical of some uses of the F-16 by Israel. A decade ago, Israel was on its way to making its own fighter plane but was dissuaded by the United States who offered to sell combat planes to Israel if it would stop its own development. There is mutual research in the area of missile defense, drone aircraft, and sophisticated electronics.

The U.S. and Israel relationship has been close but by no means giving Israel a green light. In all of Israel's wars the United States and the western world has reigned in Israel, threatening at times to cut off aid.

Our oil dependency, from the Persian Gulf Oil countries defines our foreign policy and that of Europe to a great degree. One could argue that the purchasing of Saudi oil at highly manipulated prices is also a form of foreign aid. And then we send a half-million men and women to defend the Saudi Kingdom! Interestingly, many of those hostile to Israel in the region are ready to go to war in the name of the Palestinians, but themselves have abused them repeatedly. Kuwait kicked out thousands in the wake of the Gulf War as did Saudi Arabia. Before that Jordan, sensing a threat to its kingdom, dismantled the Palestinian leadership in a bloody civil war. Perhaps Israelis themselves, more than most, understand that they need to make peace with the Palestinians. Israelis are a very introspective and analytical people. They heap more criticism and analysis on their own country than others could possibly do. This is their claim to a free and democratic society.

They have been willing to give up a lot of territory to Palestinians, more than any other country would do in similar circumstances, but will not commit suicide. Remember that the West Bank came under Israeli rule only after Jordan, which had ruled it, went to war with Israel in 1967 and was defeated. Israel has shown its good faith in trying to make peace by actually giving weapons to the Palestinian Police in the hope they could maintain stability and end terror. Instead, Israeli weapons have been used against them in the current crisis.

Unknown to the world are the hundreds of thousands of displaced people of Jewish faith from Arab lands and Iran. They had lived in these places since Biblical times, but were uprooted losing all. There is only a small remnant of them living in dire conditions in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Lebanon. You never hear of any of them blowing themselves up in an Egyptian or Syrian café to make the world notice grievances. They have been assimilated into Israel or other nations around the world.

Several years ago I remarked to an Arab friend of mine that an Israel at peace would be a great help to her neighbors in agriculture, science, and advanced technology. He replied that Israel would still be the strongest nation in the region and he didn't relish that scenario. Perhaps that remark is a clue as to why peace there is always an illusion.

Conservative Christians, and I am one with them, believe that Biblical prophecy is a pathway to what is happening in the Middle East. That so many nations in the world aligning against Israel is part of prophecy. They hold there will be more big wars and tribulations until the end of times, ending with divine intervention.

Israel, in translation, I am told means to "Struggle With God." Never a truer statement.

Allan Saxe serves as political analyst for WBAP News/Talk 820 and writes an opinion column for the Star-Telegram.

Listener Comments:

At last! A voice of reason and a clear eye on history & politics in the Middle East. Congratulations on publishing this piece in light of the massively conformist press negative press coverage of Israel, who has been constantly under siege for nearly a year and has little help or sympathy from their supposed friends.

Karen Prager - Plano

Dear Mr. Saxe,

Tthank you for taking such a brave and very different stance from what is routinely heard in the press. I just returned from my first trip to Israel and traveled from the Golan to the Dead Sea. I was amazed to see how close the Golan was to the main food producing valley of Israel and used to launch shells into homes and farms until it was taken back with amazing sacrifice in 1973. Until then, all anyone could do was take cover in the culverts (still marked for those traveling these roads).

While Israel is scrupulously respectful of all other religions holy sites, I was saddened to see the last "Great Synagogue" of Jerusalem. Jordan had this holy site under it's control from '48 to '67 and systematically destroyed it. And while the tunnel next to the wall of the Temple created a riot by the Palestinian community, it not only did not destroy anything, it was actually utilizing an existing ancient water tunnel and currently gives the Jewish community the only other approach to the Temple Mount. The Israeli government is aware that any artifacts from the Temple mount of the 2nd Temple are currently being destroyed, as the Palestinian community is now trying to deny the existence of the Temple at all.

This thinking is not the only unbelievable madness. CNN and the BBC come close in their insistence that Arafat can be dealt with as an honorable man. I may have been young, but wasn't Arafat the man who claimed responsibility for the bombing of the bus of school children.

It is a troubling situation, but I pray that people will keep Israel in their prayers and in their travel plans. I was there a month ago and there was something amazing about being on top of Masada listening to only the sound of the wind and the hawks. It is truly a magical time to go. We are all in greater risk on LBJ everyday.

Sincerely,
Nancy Jellinek - Dallas

I'm trying to email this article to my Jewish friends. They need to know that there are people in the media who know the truth. Thank you for reporting those things which are overlooked by most.

Sonni Keegan - Dallas

Continuing my thought on confronting evil :
Looking to my left I want to see the Army of Israel and to my right the US Marine Corps. May God have mercy on us all . Semper Fi

Barry E. DeWalt - Arlington UTA 80

Thank you for this most comprehensive article on Israel. Why isn't this information pounded into the newspapers all over the world, let alone the USA!? It's amazing how the hatred of Jews (and for what reason?) around the world will allow this to continue. Shame on us! Shame on humanity!

Rebecca Yardeni - Delray Beach, FL

Israel is a thriving democracy! Popular opinion often leans against the truly chosen people of God. As a nation we must continue the support of Israel who is a trusted friend of America. I have no sympathy with the Palestinians who seem to promote the cruel military practice of sending young boy out with rocks to fight armed soldiers .

This is not brought up and the cowards who are behind these practices are the elders of the Palestinian community including Yasser Arafat . Suicide bombers are indeed brilliant evidence of the insane measures that these people will use . The Judeo-Christian bond is very strong, if I am fighting evil, I want to look to my left and see the Army of Israel.

Barry E. DeWalt - Arlington