November 29: Day of Solidarity with....the Palestinians

November 29 is a celebrated day in the history of Israel as it marks the date in 1947 when the UN voted and passed their partition plan, paving the way for the establishment of both Jewish and Arab states in the land of Palestine. The passage of this resolution (33 f0r, 13 against, 10 abstained), gave Israel the legitimacy to declare a state of their own only 6 months later and it is considered one of the most important dates in the modern history of the State of Israel.

Another important note about this date is that in 1897, Theodor Herzl hosted the First Zionist Congress in Basle, Switzerland. At the opening of the conference, he stated that he foresaw that within 50 years, a Jewish state would be established. 50 years after 1897: 1947. Herzl's dream realized.

This was an act of the UN, it was a legitimate political act, and it gave rise to the State of Israel. Why then has the UN decided that November 29th will be used as a day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, and a day in which to literally demonize Israel at the UN General Assembly?? November 29 was not a day of mass uprising in Palestine by the Jewish forces present there, it was not a coup against the British, and it does not mark a day of violence. It literally marks the day of passage of UN Resolution 181.

The very fact that the Palestinians do not have a state is because they rejected the UN Partition Plan of 1947 because they refused to accept the establishment of a Jewish State on any piece of land in Palestine. It therefore seems bizarre that the UN would then take this landmark decision of self determination, an important principle for state building at the UN, and turn it on its head and mourn the establishment of Israel. Yet again, the UN's actions with regard to Israel are entirely transparent, and call it double standard or what you will, this is clear discrimination against Israel.

What is not necessarily known is that on this day of Solidarity every year, the UN embarks on a 2 day marathon of Resolutions aimed to condemn Israel, and of the 20 annual resolutions drafted against Israel, each year on November 29, approximately 6 of them are approved. Last year, the President of the General Assembly, Miguel d'Escoto of Nicaragua, specifically called Israel an Apartheid state, and the UN traditionally puts up displays with regard to the Palestinian situation, and shows videos about the issue. Although Israel has naturally boycotted these events in the past, Gabriela Shalev, the current Israeli Ambassador to the UN, is expected to speak to the GA about how ridiculous it is that they memorialize the day that Israel was given a state as a day of mourning.

I'm trying hard to think of some words to describe what is going on. Like a number of issues I have already written about, this sort of defies reality. Unfortunately, this is the state of the international affairs. Not to sound too defeatist, but this is just the sort of thing that we just have to deal with, but do so with dignity. How the UN can spend a day condemning their own decision baffles logic, but I guess this is how it goes.

To be Pro-Palestinian does not mean that you have to be Anti-Israel. I am proud to say that I think I am pro-Both. I am a Zionist, but I also believe that the Palestinians have a right to self-determination, and I think that can only live in peace with Israel with a legitimate state of their own. Unfortunately, when the UN acts in this way, they are perpetuating this idea that you have to choose a side, Israel or Palestine, and it is clear based on their history and actions what side they have chosen. This does nothing to encourage progress, and only hinders any steps that are taken in moving forward. How easily the UN could have simply chosen another significant date on which to mark a day of solidarity with the Palestinians.

In this sense, it is important to stay strong in light of all the outside pressures that affect the situation, to not let the judgment of those on the outside of the conflict cloud the reason of those conducting affairs on the ground, and to ensure that we remain committed to a swift resolution to the conflict such that both sides emerge satisfied, safe, and at peace.

Gilad Shalit and the Concept of Pidyom Shvuyim

At the current time in Israel, a debate is taking place over what to do with the life of Corporal Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier abducted by Hamas and its forces in Gaza on June 25, 2006. For almost 3 and a half years, Gilad has sat somewhere in Gaza awaiting his fate, either death at the hands of Hamas, or a rescue by the Israeli government. For almost all that time, and against all sorts of international human rights laws, no one has known Gilad's fate. For three years no one knew if he was alive or dead, and no signs of life were given until September 14, when Hamas handed over a video of Gilad, in exchange for 20 female Palestinian prisoners. The video showed that he was alive and in surprisingly good shape, and this gave extra energy to the movement to release him, and especially to his parents, Noam and Aviva Shalit.

The reason for sending thismessage out today is that it seems that Israel, Hamas, and the government of Egypt as a mediator, are almost on the brink of deciding on a deal with regard to releasing him. There are differing reports about what may be done, and there is much speculation from both sides. As it stands at the moment, the Hamas leadership in exile in Damascus is deliberating on an Israeli offer to release 450 soldiers in return for Gilad, and the next few days will be particularly telling with regard to Gilad's fate.

In Judaism, there is a concept called Pidyon Shevuyim with regard to the redemption of those held captive. This concept exemplifies the value that Judaism places on the preservation of human life, and our tradition of redeeming captives is an honoured one.

There is a debate about how relevant Pidyon Shevuyim is in a modern setting, and there are arguments for and against the lengths we must go to in order to insure the release of these soldiers. Those arguing that we must negotiate with terrorists and trade prisoners to negotiate the release of our brothers claim that the ultimate value in Judaism is human life, and that all Jewish rules are broken in the preservation of that life. However, those arguing against the idea of a prisoner trade, those who feel that we must not attempt to redeem our soldiers, believe that negotiating with terrorists and capitulating to their demands only gives them ammunition to abduct more soldiers from Israel. If their demands are met, then this unending cycle of kidnappings will continue unabated.

You must naturally form your own opinion regarding what must be done to save these soldiers. The State of Israel has protested these actions, and has sought diplomatic resolutions through international cooperation to respond to such immense and deliberate provocation. There is only so much that can be done, but ultimately, when the game of politics is through, we must believe in the power of humanity, and trust that G-d is protecting these unfortunate souls, and ensuring their safe return.