Taking a Cue from Israel
Ventura Star, December 5, 2005

By Terry Paulson, PhD

There is a lot one can learn from two weeks in Israel. Israel is the Holy Land for many religions. It's been a pivotal stage for world history through the centuries. Today, it remains a front line in the war against terrorism.

After returning to a continuing drum beat to get America out of Iraq now, I'm disturbed to see America's wavering resolve. Some Sunni insurgents are now negotiating with the government prior to December elections. More police and military initiatives in Iraq are being handled by Iraqi forces. In response to terrorism against their own, Arab countries like Jordan are working to combat Islamic extremism. At a time of steady and costly progress, the free world cannot afford to weaken its resolve. Since Israel has been on the front lines of the war against terrorism for years, Americans can learn from Israel's experience.

Unfortunately, war is sometimes the answer. Justus Weiner, a Jewish human rights lawyer committed to documenting Christian abuse by Palestinians, observed: "They talk of 'cycle of violence' with no distinction between the fireman and the arsonists. They are both there at the fire, but one caused it. They claim to be the 'victim' while being a true 'victimizer' of Christians and Jews. Far too many say that all negotiations are good and all conflict is bad, but sometimes force is the only answer. Remind the world that this is not just our problem. It's fast becoming the world's problem-the bombings in Bali, the riots in France, and the Twin Towers in New York."

Most Israelis desperately want peace, but they require responsible Palestinian actions, not rhetoric. Reagan popularized "trust but verify," and Israel lives it. If Palestinians want peace, they must renounce and control terrorism in their midst.

As long as Palestinian youth are submitted to public service television ads and educational curriculum that glorifies "shahada," suicide will remain a terrorist's sweet ticket to paradise. Surveys indicate that between 72 to 80 percent of Palestinian teens aspire to "shahada." Visit Palestinian Media Watch to see for yourself. Former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir's words still ring true, "Peace will come when the Arabs love their children more than they hate us."

Israelis are ready to fight if necessary. Whether as a fighter, a pilot or a medic, all youth are required to serve and are trained to fight. They remain reservists through their adult lives. That is why most Israelis run towards an attack instead of away. When they need to, they know how to fight and how to help save the lives of the wounded.

Israelis don't put up memorials to terrorist attacks. They honor life by doing what they can to restore the condition of the site to its original state as quickly as possible and by returning to normalcy. They value life not glorifying terrorism.

Israel uses coal, not vulnerable nuclear reactors, to generate electricity. The oil they receive from Egypt as part of their Sinai deal is secured by backup contracts with the U.S. Knesset MP Yuri Shtern stressed: "Work with us to create alternatives to oil. Our dependence on Arab oil makes us taxpayers for terrorism that undermines all our countries." Israel refuses to let their economy be held hostage by any enemy!

While appreciating President Bush's support and respecting his courage to initiate a costly war on terrorism, many Israelis remain critical of American Palestinian aid without accountability. On the week the U.S. transferred 50 million dollars to the Palestinian Authority, Palestinian Imans were openly calling for Iraqis to kill the American infidels. Even our Palestinian taxi driver remains cautious, "Arafat was a crook. All the money given to him was poured into a casino and to his own Swiss bank accounts. He did not help people like me. It's too early to tell about Mahmoud Abbas, but I'm not seeing any changes yet-just words and the same old faces." Expecting more from the Palestinian leaders must be part of the answer; there should be no financial support without documentation of how it's used.

Israel has given up being loved by the world press. Khakid Abu Toameh, a Palestinian reporter, feels his religion has been hijacked, but he's also critical of most western media: "If I call a foreign media contact about 15 Christians being shot in Bethlehem, they will not go five minutes to check it out. If I get a call from an Arab about being slapped by an Israeli soldier, fifteen journalists will fly to interview them. People deserve to see both sides of the story."

Michael Friedson, founder of Media Line, also criticizes Israeli leadership: "They don't trust the media, and it shows in their response. The bureaucracy and the delays in responding come off poorly to the media facing deadlines."

America can learn from Israel, but both Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and President George Bush could also learn from a very effective Democratic President. Implementing FDR's weekly fireside chats would help keep citizens informed and committed. One thing is sure; early withdrawals won't win the war on terrorism.

Dr. Terry Paulson is a psychologist, speaker and author of The Dinner: The Political Conversation Your Mother Told You Never to Have. Share your comments at his PoliticalTalk Blog or contact him at Terry@TerryPaulson.com.

—May we never forget how truly blessed we are!