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David Potter is a veteran paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne Division and served through two enlistments, including the war in Grenada, and is trained in aviation electronics and computer networking. Today, from his home base in Louisiana, he drives trucks and takes prides in the "made in Israel" products he delivers throughout the United States.
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By David Potter
December 29, 2004
As I touch on this sensitive subject, please know that I have given this matter considerable thought.
Out of consideration for the survivors of a mad man's regime, I did not want to say anything stupid -- that would add to their pain.
As a Gentile, I sometimes try to analyze what is going on in your country. Things that you take for granted are not always obvious to me.
But since many of you seem confused yourselves, with half of you thinking one way, and half of you thinking another -- about this orange star -- perhaps you would appreciate an outside opinion.
I think you should keep it.
I do not believe that it is the star of David itself that half of you find objectionable, for this beautiful symbol is placed on your national flag.
And it is a revered enough symbol, that it is placed on the uniforms of soldiers, when they have performed acts that are above and beyond the call of duty.
So you do not object to it being worn by people.
It could not be confused with the yellow star, that Jews were once forced to wear; unless of course, a person who is color blind is unable to tell the difference.
So it is really not the orange star that half of you object to at all; but the symbolism it represents under these present circumstances.
What is really being objected to, in my opinion, is the fact that large groups of people are wearing this star; to include women and little children.
It is objectionable to half of you, because the circumstances in Gaza ACTUALLY DO remind you of the horrors of the past.
NO - nothing these present day Jews are going through can ever be as horrible as the things that once happened -- only a moment ago as historical events go -- and in another country.
But at the same time, they do have enough things in common, that the very mention of one is a reminder of the other.
Names like "Judenrat" have been spoken, and comparisons have been made in various assorted articles on this website.
And I have no doubt . . . .
In countless other places in Israel as well.
And yet it is NOT the same, because nothing will happen to these people that is as terrible as the things of years gone by.
Even so . . . .
It is important to remember that THESE people are victims as well; although victims of another sort.
They are victims of a government that has lied to them for years; and told them that Gaza could be their home.
Many of them recieved cash subsidies from this government, and were told that they could move in there, with the blessings of Israel.
They were told they had a future there.
NOW the rug has been yanked out from under them, and they are told their homes will be sacrificed for a peace process that will never happen; at least not in any of our lifetimes.
Their homes and their livelihoods, the neighborhoods they grew up in, businesses they started; laughter and pain; blood, sweat, and tears - are now being tossed in the trash can.
And for what?
Oslo Part 2.
But it is only land, isn't it?
Those who feel this way, would probably become angry and rankled, if the suggestion were made that the Jews should abandon Israel altogether.
After all, Israel is not only land -- but the birthright and heritage of every Jew. The Jews have a rich cultural heritage there, and to abandon it would not only be unthinkable -- but a crime against your most deeply held beliefs.
So why shouldn't the same apply to Gaza? And to the settlers in the West Bank? Or is it simply "convenient" to forget about these people for the moment, in the same manner that the world "forgets" about Israel itself, whenever it is convenient to do so?
NO -- you shouldn't forget; because these are your brothers and sisters, your neighbors and friends; and not to mention your only real barrier against the Muslim hordes.
And yet they are being sold out, under a corrupt government that has made a mockery of every legal and democratic process.
These people are victims also, but of a different kind. They remind me in fact, of what my own governement did to the American Indian.
Similar in some ways -- but different.
As I see it, the orange star of David is a protest. It is an act of defiance; and although it is similar to a symbol from days gone by, it is also very different.
It is a message to a corrupt government, that is no less powerful than the students who once stood at Tienamen square.
It is a message that says . . . .
We will not go gently into the night . . . .
NOR will we allow this government corruption to take away our heritage -- the heritage of all Jews -- the heritage of Greater Israel.
I do not believe that these Jews meant for this orange star to be a cheap publicity stunt; nor do I believe that they meant to add pain to the survivors of the Holocaust.
Instead . . . .
I see this as the orange badge of courage.
Each and every person who wears this star, knows that he or she can be arrested simply for taking this stand.
They KNOW they are in defiance of a corrupt government, who would think nothing of letting the bullets fly, simply to carry out this disengement plan.
Think I'm exaggerating?
Then why hasn't Sharon done anything about the morter shells, that are constantly bombarding their settlements?
Has he given these Palestinian terrorists his blessing?
Maybe. Maybe not. But his lack of action against these bombardments, is clearly a green light for the terrorists to continue.
The Israelis who are brave enough to wear the orange star democraticaly protest the government which has abandoned them, and stand up to the terrorists who wish to drive them out and kill them.
I applaud their courage.
Views expressed by the author do not
necessarily reflect those of israelinsider.
 
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