If you have not seen this yet, go. Now. Watch.
It’s an open letter to the world, from a Jew in Israel the late Rabbi Meir Kahane. Its titles are in French, because it’s directed at the French, who have recently threatened to fire on IAF jets over Lebanon.
I give it a 12 out of 10 on the Juvenile Scorn scale.
Thanks to Judith Apter Klinghoffer, and a hat tip to Cynic.
Update: I didn’t read the credits when they scrolled by, and didn’t see until my second viewing that the letter was written by Rabbi Meir Kahane—who was murdered by an Islamist. While I do not agree with everything he stood for, that doesn’t make his letter any less right. Every word he wrote, and every scene in that video, is true.
It is well-stated anRabbi Meir Kahane
I have no idea what you were trying to say, Anonymous.
To finish that thought, it is well-stated and presented. I agree it is very good. Some may dwell on the identity of the author, though, Rabbi Meir Kahane.
Could you expand on your points, Justice? At this point you have launched 2 ad hominem attacks in only 2 sentences.
What specifically do you disagree with about the _message_?
Meryl, a very good video. It takes bits and pieces of history and makes a pretty good case against appeasement in regards to the Jewish people preserving their own lives.
Its too bad that the West hasn’t learned this lesson in regards to appeasement of Tyrants – like the North Korean Dictator….
Thanks for the video. I posted it here
cond0010, I wasn’t here and “Justice’s” comment somehow slipped through the moderation.
It’s gone.
Its okay, Meryl. I had doubts that he would attempt to respond (and with and actual dialogue).
Every so often someone gets a lucky shot. Law of averages ‘n all…
Big shock here: “Justice” is posting from the UAE. Dubai. The city where terrorists passed through on their way out of Afghanistan. The ones that wanted to run America’s ports.
He’s been marked as spam. Nothing else will get through.
Meryl,
What makes you add that disclaimer about R Kahana at the end? Is there anything in particular that he said that you don’t agree with? Or was that added simply because you think it is PC to do it?
Yehuda
The forced transfer of the palestinian population is something I don’t agree with. Big-time.
I don’t do PC, Yehuda. I state my opinions, regardless of whether people like them or not.
You disagree with forced transfer. Understandable, but then you must have another solution. Please present it.
It’s been a long time since I read Rabbi Kahane’s book “They Must Go”, but I seem to recall that he made it clear that those Israeli Arabs who were loyal to Israel, ought to be allowed to remain.
Great unknown, your logic is faulty. Because I disagree with one way to solve a problem, it does not logically follow that I have a solution. This isn’t an either-or situation.
Points for saying “please,” but that’s all you’re going to get.
If it’s logic you want, let’s try this:
a) There is a large, hostile Palestinian population within any viable potential borders of Israel.
– Disclaimer: this does not mean all, or even majority. It does mean significant numbers.
b) This population will be encouraged to terrorism by external elements.
c) Tools of terrorism are readily available. Consider that every structure in Israel is sitting on multiple containers of compressed gas.
Consider that the country is swimming in weapons and armament. And consider that a kitchen knife is a lethal weapon, as is an automobile.
d) There is very little cost, and high return for acts of sabotage and terrorism. If you are captured, you will be exchanged for captured Israeli soldiers; if killed, you will be in paradise. In either case, you are a hero.
e) The controllers of terrorism have just discovered a new defensive mechanism: the human shield.
Can a country exist fighting a multi-front war with one hand tied behind its back, while that selfsame back is exposed to internal enemies? What happens to morale? Is the entire country to become a Sderot, sacrificed for an ideal while the government criticizes anybody who offers help on a private basis?
The ultimate question I intended to ask is: if the only choice was transfer versus survival, what choice would you make?
BTW, I am an US-Israeli citizen who happened to be born in the USA and has been stranded in the USA for the past six years for personal and financial reasons. I would return in a moment if the option was available. (Of course, that’s easy to say…) But I think I know the spirit of the average Israeli after a half-century of attrition and stress on the one hand, and governmental corruption and incompetence on the other.
If every significant defensive option is proscribed by ethical considerations, what happened to the ethical consideration of survival?
I was not attacking your position. I was sincerely seeking an alternative. I am sorry you do not have one to present.
There is still no simple solution. I have often called for Israel to instate the death penalty for convicted terrorists—that would be one less weapon her enemies can use against her. If Sami Kuntar were dead, Nasrallah couldn’t be calling for his release. (Of course, he’d call for his revenge, but that’s another story.)
You are offering a worst-case scenario, and Israel isn’t in a worst-case scenario.
I offer you a question in return: How do you transfer millions of unwilling people? There is no possible way to transfer the palestinian population without bloodshed and world condemnation. The world would not just condemn; odds are they would intervene. At the very least, say hello to a boycott of all things Israeli. Israel cannot survive on her own.
The number of Israeli Arabs involved in terrorism is still tiny. And Israeli Arabs have said they don’t want to join the palestinian state. You are conflating two groups that should not be conflated.
Obviously, if your worst-case scenario came into being, of course I would choose survival. But I don’t see it happening.
Rabbi Kahane? Where is Houston Stewart Chamberlain when we need him? Chamberlain sounded sensible too, here and there.
Great Unknown: I have a solution.
Instead of mass deportation, declare Information War on the Palestinians (just as the Arabs have done to the world).
That means siccing the PC police on the Muslim religion.
Hatred and discimination against the Jew and Infidel coming from a mosque? Banned. The mullah loses his license to preach and the mosque is fined a very heavy sum.
Hatred and discimination against the Jew and Infidel coming from a Cable or Broadcast Channel? Banned. The television companies involved is fined a very heavy sum. Further infractions will result in jamming their transmission in the said country.
Hatred and discimination against the Jew and Infidel coming from a School?
Banned. Heavy fines for any school doing such behavior. Further infractions will result in the school being closed.
Though this may not be like the Civil Rights movement in the US, the tools are very similiar.
With time, the hard core haters will move to a more pleasant eviroment: like Saudi Arabia.