Jerusalem and Israel’s Favorite Tour Guide has published a new book, “Despite ourselves - an eye witness account”. For more information contact him at shalompollack613@gmail.com
Memorial Day in Israel
Each year the country (or most of it) unites in memory of tens of thousands of our brothers and sisters who gave their lives defending the Jewish state or were killed (terror victims) because they dared to be a Jew in the Jewish state.
Multiply this number by their families and friends and the day truly touches (almost) everyone very personally.
Because the Jewish people and the Jewish country are unique, this day too is unlike remembrance days round the world.
I recall Memorial Day in the USA.
Except for a handful of families that I never met and was likely never to hear of, it was a day of sales and shopping.
It was not a media item, let alone a twenty-four-hour obsession as in Israel.
Israel's Memorial Day is unique in other ways.
The Arab citizens of Israel have their own name for this very solemn day.
They call it the "Naqba" day.
Naqba in Arabic loosely means disaster.
In 1948 the Arab world, including those who are Israeli Arab citizens today, launched a war of genocide against the small and weak Jewish community. The unlikely results put an end to their dreams of pillage, rape and murder.
Sacrificing her best sons and daughters including many holocaust survivors, the Jewish state repulsed the Arab onslaught and won her independence.
For the Arab world and especially Israel's Arab citizens, the Jewish escape from annihilation was a disaster, a tragedy and a shame; a "Naqba".
Commemorating "Naqba" day is a growing in popularity.
I never heard of it years ago.
It really took off after our (very wise) leaders recognized the "Palestinian" people and their legitimate national aspirations" in our holy land.
The PLO and its leader Arafat were given legitimacy along with their "narrative" which is Naqba .
Naqba was invited to take its place next to "our narrative" - this was part of the Oslo "New Think".
The attitude is everyone has their own narrative. Does it not behoove us as sensitive Jews to respect and understand theirs?
After all they lost a war.
It must feel terrible!
The myths and hatreds that our enemies cling to I can understand.
When some Jews accept and cultivate them is another issue.
In recent years, a very small number of Israeli families whose loved ones were murdered by Arab terrorists insist on sharing their grief with that of the families of the terrorist who killed their loved ones.
They don't feel one should differentiate between grief.
Good and evil are subjective ideas not relevant if you are a true humanist - a true Jew. must not judge another's pain.
You can't make this up.
In the wake of the latest election there is a huge historic public debate. Is it legitimate to share a Jewish government with Arab parties that embrace, figuratively and literally terrorist murderers of Jews?
These Arab politicians will not recant or promise to discontinue the practice.
On memorial hearts embrace our bereaved families.
Others embrace their murderers.
As we speak, the latter are courted by Israeli politicians, hoping that they will win their approval to form the government of Israel, of the Jewish state.
The very few politicians who will not hear of this "new morality" and will not adapt to the "Newspeak" are labeled extremists and much worse.
Indeed, Memorial Day is unique in Israel.
It is becoming more unique with each passing year.
Shalom Pollack is a tour guide, filmmaker and writer in Israel,
His new book, “Despite ourselves - an eye witness account”, will be available.
Do not look for my articles on "Facebook". I have been canceled.
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