Israel's Good News

They hate us.  Again. Israel and the Jews are equally despised and blamed for world calamity, tragedy, economic downturn and political unrest.

I am so accustomed to Israel bashing, Jew hating and anti-semitic lies, I am no longer surprised when we get blamed. When something terrible happens and we first hear about it on the news, my husband and I try to imagine how Israel will be negatively implicated. This has become our sick game. So when tragedy struck Paris two weeks ago, we knew the cause would soon be reported as political unrest in Israel.

We didn't have to wait too long. Jimmy Carter soon came out saying, "One of the origins for [the violence in Paris] is the Palestinian problem. And this aggravates people who are affiliated in any way with the Arab people who live in the West Bank and Gaza, what they are doing now—what’s being done to them.”

The mayor of Ankara, Turkey, said it too.  But he added a creative twist to his interpretation of events, stating that Israel wanted to punish France after it voted for a Palestinian state. In his distorted angle, he said "Israel certainly doesn't want this sentiment to expand in Europe. That's why it is certain that Mossad is behind these kinds of incidents. Mossad inflames Islamophobia by causing such incidents."   

The media is one of the worst offenders, so when I received this email today (thanks Deborah), I had to laugh:

AN ISRAELI ON VACATION

An Israeli is on vacation and is visiting a zoo in England when he sees a little girl leaning into the lion's cage.

Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the cuff of her jacket and tries to pull her inside his cage, right under the eyes of her screaming parents.

The Israeli runs to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch.

Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the Israeli brings her to her terrified parents, who thank him profusely.

A reporter has watched the whole event. The reporter says to the Israeli: 'Sir, this was the most gallant and brave thing I've ever seen a man do in my lifetime.'

The Israeli replies, 'Why, it was nothing, really. The lion was behind bars. I just saw this little girl in danger and acted as I felt right.'

The reporter says, 'Well, I'll make sure this doesn't go unnoticed. I'm a journalist, and tomorrow's paper will have this story on the front page. So, what country are you from, what do you do for a living and what political affiliation do you have?'

The Israeli replies, "I'm from Israel. I serve in the Israeli army and I vote for the Likud."

The journalist leaves.

The following morning the Israeli buys the paper to see news of his actions, and reads, on the front page:

"RIGHT-WING ISRAELI ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT AND STEALS HIS LUNCH."

I laughed because this type of media distortion is true.  And I laughed because I can and I laughed because I live in Israel and do not have to put up with this anti-Israel bashing.

People here are not putting their energy into devising ways to terrorize civilians and they are not teaching their children how to hate and kill. Israelis are not scheming lies or demonizing others. Israelis are busy leading meaningful lives and investing their energy into making the world a better place.

Here is a glance at what Israelis are up to:

On January 11, it was reported in the Times of Israel that an Israeli dental company designed a custom-made titanium jaw to save the life of a Syrian fighter. This complex procedure was done at Haifa’s Rambam Hospital with the aid of an Israeli-developed 3D printer. The patient, who was critically injured and could not eat or speak, was fighting on the Syrian side of the border. 

This beautiful story speaks of Israel’s respect for the life of all and of its incredible intelligence and determination.

All lives are precious. Just have a look at this TED talk given by IDF Doctor Brigadier General Professor Yitshak Kreiss last December about the compassion and humanity of the IDF medical rescue team. 

Just writing about these incredible contributions elevates me and makes my heart feel open, my horizons hopeful and positive. Those who want to lie, distort and discriminate will shrivel; while those who live to cherish and be compassionate will expand the world. 

The irony is that when there is good news, Israel is often behind it.  And that’s the truth.