The modern state of Israel was created, in part, because of the world’s guilt over the Holocaust. That guilt lasted until about five minutes after Israel’s establishment, but it gave the world’s Jews the chance to stop relying on others for our self-defense.
IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi’s father escaped being sent to the death camps at the last moment, and his son is now charged with defending the state of Israel. Here’s what he said about defending Jews:
“In the name of my father and his family who dreamt of an independent sovereign state, and in the name of all the millions who never got to witness the realization of their dream I stand here today as the commander of the Jewish defending force, the Israel Defense Forces, and pledge on behalf of us all: We shall never again stand defenseless and in the mercy of others.
“Never again will Jewish children stare in fear begging to be spared. Never again will we let our enemies determine the fate of the Jewish people and we will able to protect our sons.”
They can say what they like about the reasons the world is against Israel. They can slam Zionism, call Israel an “apartheid” state, insist it’s the last bastion of colonialism in the world. The reality of it is this: The world still does not like the Jews. At least, not Jews that can defend themselves. They much prefer it when Jews lived—or died—at the sufferance of the people around them. This is what happens when Jews lived that way:
Never again. And since this is the most fitting day for it, here’s another look at the IAF flyover of Auschwitz.
If you want to read more, the Jewish Virtual Library is a great place to start.
Am Yisrael chai: The people of Israel live.
I think you may miss the point of that IAF video. It is not flying over Auschwitz. The IAF is TARGETING it.
Ok, maybe that is a different video, the one I recall had nice long bit with video of the targetting radar screens from the F-15’s. The most appropriate way to view that site.
That looked like some pretty fancy formation flying they were doing, too.
Thank you Meryl for providing this clip, very moving!
IMO, the IDF was making a profound statement to the world, during the Holocaust, Jews had no one to defend them from barbaric actions, now Israel stands ready to do so, either by stealth, or, if required, by advanced technology weapons. NEVER AGAIN MEANS NEVER AGAIN!
Herschel, absolutely. We used to be defenseless and powerless, and we’re not anymore (the attempts of various countries to change that, by various methods, notwithstanding).
With the British arming the arabs and locking up survivors in internment camps on Cyprus, to the UN trying to steal half of the remaining part of Palestine to create another arab state, I’d say their guilt over the Holocaust lasted about five minutes after the German surrender. If it lasted that long.
Thank you for the two videos.
Never again.