Time to change course

Yoel Ben-Nun

Part 2 of op-ed

When it comes to the cultural-political language of the Arabs, "peace" does not mean compromise as the Jews think, but rather, "regaining due rights" (Arab rights, of course.) Until we explicitly demand Arab recognition – not of our very existence, but rather, of our right to exist in this country as a people returning to its historical land – there will be no chance for peace. To my regret, the Israeli Left gave up on the chance for peace, just like the Israeli Right gave up on the chance to realize our hold on the Land of Israel over time.


Now, everything is on the shoulders of incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His election success and his even greater success in forming the government while facing difficult political obstacles will not be enough. We need complete national leadership, on all fronts. The new PM needs to build broad Israeli consensus, based on a serious internal discourse that is incisive and operative.


Netanyahu's order of priority is first and foremost socioeconomic, yet Israel's enemies will not wait long before they put him to the test of making decisions. Our wonderful intelligence officials will try to thwart threats as much as they can, yet we need to proceed on the assumption that not everything can be averted and that the test will come; possibly very soon.


Is the incoming prime minister of Israel thinking of undertaking genuine diplomatic change? If so, this is the time for it. We need to put on the table justice vis-à-vis justice and rights vis-à-vis rights; and only later security vis-à-vis security, peace vis-à-vis peace, land vis-à-vis land, home vis-à-vis home, and ceasefire vis-à-vis ceasefire. For example, the 1967 borders are not based on justice, and yet another Arab-Palestinian state without any Jew in it will not bring peace.


New approach- on Shalit front


On the Gilad Shalit front there is also an opportunity to undertake change. The principles of honor are the language of the Middle East. Human dignity is about freedom, but it should be one person in exchange for one person! Let them choose any one person they wish to release. Only after an honorable release, one person in exchange for one person, can we conduct negotiations on a broad prisoner release, in line with clear criteria of justice. For example, those who are unjustly being held by us should be freed soon.


In order to convince others to change direction and path, one must insist on one's principles for a long time without shifting positions, and without putting out feelers. The current system is hurting us and our future instead of helping. Will you, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have the strength to undertake a change?


I am going back to the same Psalms section I gave Olmert. It ends with peace that features economic prosperity and security, but only after the difficult tests ahead are met. Many Torah followers are currently supporting Netanyahu, but to my regret that too may change.


In any case, we shall pray for your success, for the sake of the people of Israel in its country, with God's help.