|
 I had some free time this week but, instead of getting a jump start on my weekly message to you, the readers of this e-mail, I decided to wait until the President gave his much anticipated speech on the Middle East this afternoon. To be honest, while some welcome his speech and some are upset by it, there is nothing oh-so new in President Obama's words. Vis-à-vis Israel, he asks for a two state solution soon. He spells out that occupation by Israel is not tenable. He demands that Israel be offered full security. He is unabashed in proclaiming the unwavering support of Israel by the United States. He says both sides will have to make concessions and it will only happen at the negotiation table. So, to paraphrase the famous question from Passover, what makes this speech on mid-east peace different from all other speeches on mid-east peace? Truth be told, nothing in the speech is much different today. George W Bush made similar statements of a two-state solution with both countries living in peace, side by side. So did President did Bill Clinton. They were joined in their efforts and hopes by Israeli Prime Ministers Yizchak Rabin z'l, Ehud Barak, Ariel Sharon, Ehud Olmert and Benjamin Netanyahu. All of these Israeli leaders have publically asked for a two state solution; a Palestinian State living side by with Israel in absolute security. The thing that makes this speech different than all other speeches is its timing. There is a new Mideast that was not in existence 6 months ago and is evolving and unfolding every day. The jury is still out on whether or not this is good for the Jews and good for the world. No one is quite sure, not the Egyptians, the Tunisians, the Syrians or you and me. We probably will not know the verdict on that question until after our lifetime. That is hard to accept - but the probable truth. A reporter once asked Winston Churchill, what role the French Revolution had on the history of the world. Churchill replied, "it is too early to tell". Countries and democracy take lots of time to develop and change. Dividends are not realized overnight. One need not look past America to realize the toil and challenges we endured to be the beacon of freedom, hope and democracy we are today. But today, May 19, 2011 - the world is a different place than it was on December 18, 2010. Arab springs all around, Nakba (the "catastrophe" day of Israel's declaration of Independence commemorated by its Arab neighbors on May 15) demonstrations on multiple borders, a September 2011 threat of a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood by the United Nations that would isolate Israel, along with a uranium enriching Iran, have all put the Middle East, front and center of the world stage. That along with alarmingly high birthrates have made it only a matter of time before the demographics shift so dramatically in Israel that two states-two people will be forsaken for two peoples, one state. That would force Israel to compromise either being democratic or Jewish, something we cannot afford on either front because they are intrinsically connected. That would be the worst disaster of all. That cannot happen. On a personal note, I struggle professionally and personally between being a realist and an idealist. Sometimes my heart tells me one thing and my mind tells me another. What is often best for our Temple is not always best for every member. That is where a rub can exist and the gap between idealism and realism can feel like the expanse between the walls of the Grand Canyon. That is what can cause us to feel like birds of a particular skin with a different bird's coat of skepticism or even cynicism. These difficult decisions and yes, concessions are compelling Zionists to be hawks in doves feathers. For those that believe we can keep going with the status quo, time and birth rates are not on our side. The Arab-Israeli conflict started long before the 29th of November 1947 when the United Nations partition plan was passed and it is doubtful it will end on a particular date in the coming months. These processes take time. Lots of time. But, if we forego the hope that a better tomorrow can exist, that through our coats and feathers we can see brighter potential, than we have forever missed the purpose and resolve of Israel as articulated best in its anthem, Hatikvah - the Hope. Od Lo Avda Tikvateinu - Lehiyot Am Hofshi, BeArtzeinu. Eretz Zion, Yerushalayim We have not lost our hope to be a free people, in our homeland. The land of Zion and Jerusalem. Shabbat Shalom Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner Below are the main talking points related to Israel from the President's speech, as shared with me from the office of the White House Press Secretary. WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID ABOUT ISRAEL IN HIS SPEECH TODAY · Israelis living with the fear that their children could get blown up on a bus or by rockets fired at their homes, as well as the pain of knowing that other children in the region are taught to hate them. · The importance of a lasting peace that ends the conflict and resolves all claims. · Palestinian efforts to delegitimize Israel will end in failure. · Symbolic actions to isolate Israel at the United Nations in September won't create an independent state. · Palestinian leaders will not achieve peace or prosperity if Hamas insists on a path of terror and rejection. · Palestinians will never realize their independence by denying the right of Israel to exist. · Our friendship with Israel is rooted deeply in a shared history and shared values. · Our commitment to Israel's security is unshakeable. · We will stand against attempts to single it out for criticism in international forums. · No peace can be imposed upon the parties, not by the United States and not by anyone else. · America and the international community must state frankly what everyone knows: a lasting peace will involve two states for two peoples. Israel as a Jewish state and the homeland for the Jewish people, and the state of Palestine as the homeland for the Palestinian people; each state enjoying self-determination, mutual recognition, and peace. · The borders of Israel and Palestine should be based on the 1967 lines with mutually agreed swaps, so that secure and recognized borders are established for both states. · The President endorsed strong security principles for negotiations, including every state has the right to self-defense, and Israel must be able to defend itself - by itself - against any threat. · Security provisions must also be robust enough to prevent a resurgence of terrorism; to stop the infiltration of weapons; and to provide effective border security. · The full and phased withdrawal of Israeli military forces should be coordinated with the assumption of Palestinian security responsibility in a sovereign, non-militarized state. · The duration of this transition period must be agreed, and the effectiveness of security arrangements must be demonstrated. · The agreement between Fatah and Hamas raises profound and legitimate questions for Israel - how can one negotiate with a party that has shown itself unwilling to recognize your right to exist. In the weeks and months to come, Palestinian leaders will have to provide a credible answer to that question. A copy of the transcript of President Obama's speech can be seen here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/19/remarks-president-barack-obama-prepared-delivery-moment-opportunity A general fact sheets can be seen here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/05/19/fact-sheet-moment-opportunity-middle-east-and-north-africa | 
