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September 15, 2004
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Rosh Hashanah is the traditional time for Jewish reflection. Looking back on the year past, we have been through a lot.
Those of us who care about the fate of Israel and the Jewish People have reason to be concerned deeply. Rising anti-semitism on a global scale, uncontained terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and a seemingly confused, disconnected, and contemptuous leadership in the state of the Jews -- all of these makes one wonder how the world, let alone Israel, will get by in the year(s) to come.
On the other hand, it has been a year of greatly reduced suicide terrorism, buds of economic recovery, the emergence of an authentic new grass-roots Jewish spiritual revival which promises to translate, speedily, into real-world change and new leadership.
The defeat of the Likud "disengagement" referendum, the human chain from Gush Katif to the Kotel in Jerusalem, and the reason show of force at Zion Square -- all of these give me reason to hope that the mighty voice of the people of Israel, led by sober and brave visionaries, can rescue us from the abyss toward which this slouching beast is lurching.
Speaking truth to power is the name of the game this year, and I will harness Israel Insider to that task. At some point this year, I realized that there was a time to observe and a time to act. Israel Insider has until now been on the side of the observers. Today, while maintaining the diversity of opinion and independence which has been our trademark, we will seek to provide more analysis and content for our coverage.
For example, I am struck by the obscenity of the euphemism "disengagement" and I have been seeking to use language to describe and illustrate that we are neither disengaging--because the Palestinians, other Arabs, and the rest of the world will not give us that luxury. Disengagement covers the destruction of deeply rooted Jewish communities and the uprooting and expulsion of Jews from their homes.
I have long been amenable to taking risks for peace, but there is no risk here -- it is guaranteed to bring a terribly, traumatic tear in the soul of the Jewish people. To withdraw is to lose -- and not just the battle in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinians. It is to lose our collective responsibility for each other, to brutally assault the residents of Gush Katif and other areas slated for demolition and abandonment. By brute force, an arrogant leader believes he can bulldoze his way above the heads and over the bodies of the people who elected him for a very different reason.
I support a national referendum on the destruction of Gush Katif and other Jewish Community. Even though the side I support is behind (by 58% to 42% if today's polls can be believes), I am absolutely confident that we can turn that around in weeks, just as happened in the Likud referendum.
As an interim solution at least, I believe the IDF can and should withdraw from most Arab areas of Gaza, except those which control the the import and export of weapons and materials, but remain in Gush Katif. I dislike the fence, but its effectiveness to prevent debilitating suicide terror is proven. I believe that Israel should unilaterally determine its desirable borders, unfettered by any external consideration. I believe this is the year that the state of Israel, after international efforts to prevent Iran's nuclear ambitions prove futile, will deal a devastating blow to the genocidal ambitions of the Islamic terror state --an event whose significance is likely to dwarf almost all other considerations.
But that's just me talking. I woke up one day this summer to recognize how much Israel Insider meant to me. And I determined to shape this publication into something new and exciting which will depend for its success on the ideas and contributions of you, our fellow writers and readers. I am about to turn this baby into a creature of your collective consciousness, far more than ever before, and far more than any other publication about Israel or things Jewish. We aim to create something with BUZZ, and you will be the Insiders making it happen.
So I leave it to you to share with us your wishes and hopes for the new year. Let us hear what's on your mind.
I am grateful for the opportunity to provide you with a vehicle for free expression and a collective voice that reach the world with the truths -- in all their complexity -- of the State of Israel and the fate of the Jewish People. And have some fun in the process!
Al ha dvash v'al ha oketz. For the honey and the sting. For all of these, I am thankful, and especially to you, our readers. The People of Israel live. Am yisrael chai!
I wish all you Insiders a sweet and successful Shana Tova.
Reuven
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