by Sue Kroopnick
Posted on Arutz-7, July 2, 2003

Although terrorism continues to plague the Land of Israel, and political pressures from outside sources continue to threaten the country’s stability, there are still plenty of Jews in the world who don´t feel any real connection or responsibility to Israel and its people. Many think, “This has nothing to do with me, because I don’t live in Israel and I am not a part of that life.??? They are indifferent and find it easy to ignore their fellow Jews’ struggles in the Land. They have forgotten that anti-Semitism is everywhere and that it is in every Jew’s own best interest to play an active role in keeping Israel alive and strong.

Others don’t want to be exposed to, or informed about, what is going on here in Israel, because they wish to distance themselves from ugly, sad, or tragic situations. They want to live a positive and happy life. It is true that a positive frame of mind helps keep one emotionally and physically healthy and that the best thing for all of us is not to allow negativism and pain to infiltrate our souls. However, some things are important to be aware of and not to be passive about.

And then there are those who don’t agree with the politics of the State of Israel and have only minimal concern for the country and its people, usually refraining from assisting in any way. It’s likely they don’t believe in, or understand, the Land´s eternal bond and importance to the Jewish people, nor why Israel is to be considered a Jewish country in the first place. They should become more informed about the background of Judaism and the Jewish nation’s connection with the Holy Land. And they should at least find out from reliable sources who actually live in Israel, what has really gone on here during this last century – up to and including today.

The sad truth is that most of the Jews living outside of Israel are under-informed or grossly misinformed about the country and anything involving it. The media all around the world lie, slander, and slant the truth when reporting about Israel. They have no interest in promoting it or, let’s face it, the Jewish people as a whole. They almost always present the facts to make Israel the treacherous villain, when all we in Israel want is to be allowed to live freely and with real peace in our own land. The scandalous situation here may make it seem like such a dream is nearly impossible, at least in these times, but this wish, this dream that the Jewish people have had for so long, is very close to coming true. We Jews have been fighting for our survival throughout our long and painful history and now we have the opportunity to live in the world without the fear of being exiled, persecuted or annihilated – we have Israel. And that is the beginning of the end of our troubles.

The fact is, the State of Israel is not beneficial only for those of us who happen to live here. And the Land of Israel is not holy only for those of us who have come to dwell in it. It is every Jewish person’s country, whether he lives here or not. And every Jew benefits from it, whether he realizes it or not. It is important for the Jewish State of Israel to exist and thrive for the sake of all Jews everywhere. The State of Israel represents the miraculous survival of the Jews as a nation throughout all of our unpleasant history – slavery, pogroms, inquisitions, holocausts, anti-Semitism and more anti-Semitism, wars and more wars aimed at wiping us off the face of the earth. And still, anti-Semitism is growing everywhere – even in this advanced age. Past generations needed Israel for a haven, and the way things are going, future generations may find themselves more and more leaving their countries and seeking out Israel as well. Even today, when Israel is going through a very trying period, Jews from all over are making Aliyah, out of necessity, to live without persecution, or just because they feel their place is with their people in their own Land.

The Israelis´ persistence in maintaining the Land of Israel as a Jewish country, and the constant growth and progress of our country, shows the rest of the world that we, as Jews, will not only continue to exist, but will also continue to prosper and stand up and be counted. The State of Israel shows the rest of the world that we are a strong people and will not allow ourselves to be destroyed, that G-d is with us and, as long as Israel is alive and kicking, the world cannot not beat us down anymore. It shows the rest of the world that we, as Jews, will stand proud and will stand up for ourselves among the other nations, even in the face of terrorism and even when everyone else everywhere else is against us. It is, therefore, so important that every single Jew in the world support Israel. And every Jewish person should take some responsibility for ensuring Israel’s survival, for keeping it strong, and for securing the lives of its Jewish residents. What happens to Israel and to the Israeli people affects the Jewish people as a whole, either directly or indirectly, whether one is aware of it or not. If Israel is threatened, so are the Jews all over. If Israel is praised and held in high esteem, treated with respect and looked up to, so will be the Jews all over the world.

We in Israel have been doing our best to withstand the pressure from all sides, despite the lack of support and assistance from a good portion of our own people who live elsewhere. But we are forever being misrepresented, threatened with being cut off, and constantly dictated to by other countries, who insist that we shouldn´t defend ourselves from our enemies.

So, where are you who have taken an apathetic approach to your Land and to your people? You are a part of us. But where is our support? Where is our help? Where are you? Don´t you care?

What about our dream? Returning to our Land is only part of it. Doesn´t it matter to you whether or not we are being slaughtered on a daily basis and having our country divided up by foreign maps and plans that only weaken us? Doesn´t it concern you that Jews are being evicted from their own homes and that these homes are being destroyed for the sake of a nonexistent peace? Doesn´t it bother you that Israel is being pressured to give up that which we all have fought for, for more than 2000 years?

Taking yourself out of the picture is basically saying, “I know it´s bad for you, but let me just get on with my own life.” It is bad when we are cast aside like that. It is saying that our plight (which not only belongs to us in Israel, but really to all Jews) is not important enough to take the time or energy to be looked into. It is saying that only you matter. It is saying that the burden doesn´t need to be shared. But, in reality, every effort should be made to find out the truth behind all the lies, and every effort should be made to help relieve the suffering and the hardships we over here must endure – for everyone’s sake, not only ours.

The time has come to realize that we are in this together and that we should all be working together. The famous quote “united we stand, divided we fall??? has never been more appropriate, for the Jewish people and for Israel, than now. We need each other.

We in Israel are here for you…. Don’t abandon us.
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Sue Kroopnick writes from Beit El, Israel.