Will Itamar be a watershed moment?

March 15, 2011 - 9:06 AM by

While the rest of the world has been focused on the Japan earthquake and Charlie Sheen, we’ve been preoccupied here with the horrific slayings of the Fogel family in Itamar.

Beyond the natural outrage, indignation, self-righteousness and use of the gruesome terror attack by both the Right and the Left to forward their own aims and further justify bottom lines (Right: You can’t make peace with animals; Left: Occupation is unsustainable), the brutal stabbings of five of the family members including an infant and young children are a shocking reminder to Israelis that any illusions that there’s a ‘calm’ period out there with both Israelis and Palestinians learning to accept an awkward status quo is just that – an illusion.

We can release as many graphic photos and videos of the unspeakable incident to the foreign media and the world via YouTube and Facebook as we want – and we can complain about CNN’s use of quote marks around the words ‘terror attack’ when reporting about the incident – but in the end, it’s mostly wasted energy.

If anyone out there cares at all about what’s happening in our little corner of the world, they already have their minds made up about who they think is right and wrong. And those that are more concerned with March Madness basketball or Charlie Sheen’s latest web post aren’t likely to have even heard about what happened in Itamar on Friday night – or, even if they have, not give it more than a second’s thought aside from a stray ‘oh, those Israelis and Palestinians are at it again.’

Unfortunately, that’s how many of us feel here too – mourning the loss of innocent Israelis, but helpless in understanding what to do about it. Going on the media attack and stating our case may make us feel like we’re presenting the truth and doing something useful. But it’s not doing anything to prevent another massacre of Israeli citizens taking place in the future.

Now’s the time for bold moves by our leaders – whether it be by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s government or the Palestinian Authority. Start the process of annexing the West Bank and relocating the Palestinians – or dismantle the bulk of settlements and enable the creation of a Palestinian state. Bring it to a national consensus. And President Abbas, who cares if Israel’s still building in settlements? Start negotiating now before it’s too late, time is not on your side.

Do something, that’s what leaders are for – because we can’t bear the loss of any more babies.

Tags: • Category: A New Reality, coexistence, General, Israeliness, Life, News, Politics, War 

Comments

3 Comments on Will Itamar be a watershed moment?

  1. Rami Levy and the Fogels | ISRAELITY on Tue, Mar 15th 2011 9:05 PM

    2. [...] been a tough week, grappling with the horrors of the Fogel family massacre in Itamar, and the stories and images coming from Japan. I find it difficult to turn away from the news, [...]

  2. damond bateman on Wed, Mar 16th 2011 6:40 PM

    3. i agree that formal annexation of any territory not in the perimeter of arab towns should go forward. it is up for grabs since the arabs rejected the un partition plan in 1948, and the only reason jordan controlled it until 1967 was due to a war of aggression by the arab league against the newly reestablished jewish state. if the arabs reject having any jews living among them then a divorce is the only solution. the towns the arabs occupy in judaea and samaria form no contiguous area, and are not a viable state. the only area dominated by arabs that has any size or possibilities of being called a “state” is gaza. at least half of them live in gaza as it is already. it is larger than singapore, a viable and successful state, and one of the most crowded nations on earth. if the chinese could make a go of it, why not the arabs? the current situation is not sustainable. the world is growing tired and bored of the dispute between israelis and arabs. inspite of the crazed propoganda campaign the jew-haters are putting out and all the empty un resolutions their sympathizers push through facts exist; the jews won, the arabs lost. israel is a success and a power. the arabs are disunited, suicidal fanatics living in a revenge fantasy. the only solution is a population relocation, with the arabs pumping in aid (something they have not done so far) to transform gaza into a mideastern singapore, and they not have to depend on those mean old jews for anything; water, power, food, jobs, medical care, etc. but no, the fanatics just want to kill and destroy and hate and blame everyone else for their failures. its time for the arabs and their supporters abroad to ask themselves if acts of barbarism and blood thirsty killing have gotten them anything. insanity is definable as trying to do the same thing over and over and expecting the results will be different.

  3. SueJean on Wed, Mar 16th 2011 8:47 PM

    4. David,

    I know it’s not much comfort right now, but there are those of us that share your grief over this family’s brutal murder. We do see the Fogel’s as real people with real lives that ended horribly and senselessly.

    The politicians and fools that think “peace” is achievable with people who don’t want peace aren’t fooling anyone but themselves. We are praying for a real solution through the return of our King and Messiah. Until then, our hearts grieve with yours.

    Blessings,

    SueJean & DannyLee

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