Israel at a Time of Crisis
Sermon, July 14, 2006
Rabbi Bruce Kadden

As we gather here this evening for Shabbat services, residents in northern Israel spend the night in bomb shelters, as the barrage of ketusha rocket attacks from southern Lebanon continues.  Fighting continues in southern Lebanon and in Gaza, as Israel attempts to free its kidnapped soldiers and prevent rocket attacks on its citizens.

Some have called this the next Israel-Arab war; others have even claimed that it is the beginning of World War III.  It is most likely neither of these. 

But Israel’s response to these unprovoked attacks, the message that it sends to the Arab world, will no doubt go a long way toward determining if and when the next big Middle East war will indeed be fought.  For Israel recognizes, better than anyone else, that only a forceful, punishing response will deter future aggression. 

Israel’s military actions in southern Lebanon and in Gaza are more than about freeing its kidnapped soldiers, although the release of the soldiers and the cessation of rocket attacks would almost certainly bring an end to the conflict.  Israel’s actions are all about sending a clear message that acts of terrorism will be met with force, and that countries that support and harbor terrorist groups will be held responsible for their actions.

Like virtually all of Israel’s past conflicts, it is not a fight that Israel started, but it is one that Israel will finish on its terms.  Given the opportunity provided by the kidnappings, Israel is striking mostly in southern Lebanon, directing the brunt of its attacks against Hezbollah and its terrorist infrastructure.  Other military actions, such as the blockading of Lebanon’s ports, are designed to disrupt the flow of weapons into the country.

Now, some have called Israel’s response “disproportionate,” and most Israeli supporters have objected to this characterization.  I would like to suggest a different reaction.  I think that we should admit that Israel’s response may be disproportionate, but so what?  Sometimes a disproportionate response is exactly what is needed to get one’s message across and to achieve one’s goals.  What is important is not that Israel’s response is proportionate, but that it is appropriate and neither indiscriminate nor excessive.  We can make an excellent case that Israel response meets these criteria.

Why has this conflict erupted?  Why has Hezbollah suddenly decided to take aggressive action?  M .J. Rosenberg of the Israel Policy Forum has written that “the attacks on northern Israel are not about the Palestinians.  Nor are they the result of any legitimate grievance Hezbollah may have with Israel.
            “There are no such grievances.  Israel fully left Lebanese territory in 2000. Neither Hezbollah or Lebanon have outstanding claims against Israel.
             “No, the attacks on Israel from Lebanon are a traditional unprovoked act of aggression. Hezbollah’s goal is to instigate a general conflagration which would lead to Israel’s destruction.  Hezbollah has no goal but terror and destruction which constitute both its means and its ends. The Syrians, and especially the Iranians, have their own goals and are using Hezbollah to advance them.
            “Overall this situation is clear cut.  This is not one of those disputes where each side has a point of view and a solution can be found in the middle.
           “No, the solution here -- on which the international community is in agreement -- can be found in United Nations Resolution 1559 which calls on Lebanon to disband the independent militias and fully control southern Lebanon.  That means destroying Hezbollah as an independent operator.”

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said that its operation in Lebanon will end when Hezbollah is disarmed, but it is not clear how far Israel will go to do so.  So far, it has attacked sites in Lebanon from the air, but has not brought in ground forces, and is unlikely to do so.  While air strikes alone can do significant damage, they are unlikely to undermine Hezbollah in the long run.

As many observers have noted, only when the Lebanese government is willing and able to confront Hezbollah, is there any hope that its role will change.  And while I’m sure all of us would like to believe that this encounter might prompt Lebanon to realize it is time to challenge Hezbollah, it most likely will not.

Meanwhile Israel’s conflict with the Palestinians in Gaza continues, as it attempts to work for the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit and to prevent missile attacks on nearby Israeli towns.  Israel has never openly negotiated for the release of hostages, because to do so would only encourage further kidnapping attempts.  But Israel has often pursed a variety of back channels. 

Haaretz reported that the head of Shin Bet met with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in Jordan to discuss the kidnapping and the conflict in Gaza, a discussion which included the possible release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli custody.  But even if a deal could be arranged, it is unclear whether Abbas has the ability to assure that the Palestinians fulfill their part of the deal.

What is it that we might do at this time of crisis for Israel?  We should keep informed not just through the mainstream media, but through websites such as Haaretz and the Jerusalem Post, Israel’s English language newspapers.  One of the best on-line sources for news about Israel is Daily Alert, which is prepared for the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.  It gathers articles from a variety of sources, both Jewish and secular.  If you send me an e-mail I will forward one to you and you can sign up to receive it if you wish.

Secondly, we must not be afraid to speak out in support of Israel’s actions, whether it be in discussions with friends or through letters to the editor.  We should also contact our elected officials in support of a bi-partisan resolution that will be presented to Congress on Tuesday supporting Israel’s right to self-defense.  Information about this resolution is included on the insert to the Orders of Worship.

We should renew our commitment to Israeli organizations such as AIPAC, Hadassah, Jewish National Fund, and Magen David Adom, Israel’s Red Cross, which is especially in need of support at this time.  The United Jewish Communities has launched an emergency campaign to support sending Israeli children from northern communities to youth villages in the country’s central region.  The Tacoma Jewish Community Fund will be sending out information about this special fund raising campaign next week.

Finally, we can come together to offer our prayers and hopes.  In that regard, let me conclude with these words:

O God, our strength and our redeemer, we ask your blessing upon Israel and its people at this difficult time. 

We ask your blessing on the kidnapped Israeli soldiers and their families. 

We ask your blessing upon the soldiers of the Israel Defense Force and all who work for Israel’s safety and security. 

We ask your blessing upon Prime Minister Olmert and the political leaders who must make crucial decisions. 

We ask your blessing upon all of Israel’s citizens, especially those who must spend the night in bomb shelters and must be wary of missile attacks. 

We ask your blessings on all who are visiting Israel now, including members of our own congregation. 

May all have the strength and fortitude to withstand this assault and may this conflict come to a speedy and successful end.  Oseh shalom bimromav hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu, v’al kol Yisrael.  May the Creator of peace in the heavens above create peace for us and for Israel. 

[back to list of sermons]

[back to top]