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May 14, 2004/Iyar 23 5764, Vol. 56, No. 34
Our responsibility to visit our Jewish homelandRUTH STORCHWith the recent assassinations of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz Rantisi, many people have found themselves questioning Israel's action. Did their deaths open up the gates of hell for hundreds of Zionists, as one Hamas member said in a National Public Radio interview? While I was quite disturbed to hear this comment, I was not surprised. Did anyone actually think that the murders of Yassin and Rantisi would result in peace? Of course not. The members of Hamas will continue to target Israelis; they did not need these deaths as a motive.Although some observers continue to criticize Israel for killing the Hamas leaders, I believe that Israel had no choice; they were earned deaths. In the past few years, Hamas has been responsible for 425 bombings, which have resulted in 377 deaths and 2,076 injuries. Nonetheless, in the midst of all the questioning and criticism, there is one discussion amongst people that continues to aggravate me - the debate over "should I go to Israel?" With Shavuot plans approaching and summer plans in the works, it is typical for people to reconsider their trips when a terrorist threat is so high. It reminds me of a trip my family and I took almost three years ago in honor of my sister's bat mitzvah. It was at the rise of the intifada, and the frequently asked question was, "How could you be going to Israel at a time like this?" While the biased media continues to portray Israel in a negative light, it was only normal for people to ask me that question. However, this time I did not let the media win. My response was, "Does that mean we should ask those who live in Israel, 'How could you live there at a time like this?'" Israel is their home and life goes on. I distinctly remember walking the empty streets of Jerusalem, a city abandoned by potential Jewish tourists who live in the Diaspora. It was the feeling of emptiness that arose within me that made me realize that we, as a people, are to blame. The terrorists have one goal, to obtain full control of the land. When we cancel our trips to Israel, the terrorists have won. We as a Jewish people have a responsibility to go to our land and stand up against the terrorists. We must let them know that they will not win and that the Jewish nation will continue to flourish. Now, I am not saying that people should not believe what they hear and see on the news. Yes, Israel is a dangerous place, and we are taking a risk when we go there. Unfortunately, we live in a dangerous world and we take risks wherever we go. I don't hear of anyone canceling a trip to pro-Arab France, where a Jewish woman was asked to swallow her Star of David charm on a subway, and where rabbis are warning their congregants to remove their kippot before walking in public. When my parents sent me to Israel this past summer, they told people that they were more nervous about having me drive to school every morning on Highway 51 than going to Israel and being exposed to a terror attack. Israel is going through a rough time right now, but while it has its many downs, it also has its many ups. When we watch the news, we must remember that Israel is five million other things besides suicide bombs. Israel is the sunrise at Masada. Israel is the salty waters of the Dead Sea. Israel is the falafel stands that line the old streets of Jerusalem. That is Israel, and that will continue to be Israel only if we take the initiative to go. Writing a check is great, but it will only go so far. We need to go. If we have the opportunity to go, we should grab it. We should not postpone it and say that we will wait for a better time. If we continue to say that, there will never be a right time. There is no time like the present. Ruth Storch is a student at the Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School. |
