The Jewish community – especially the New Mexico Jewish Community – is no monolith. There are opinions galore amongst us, and the New Mexico Jewish Link, the Jewish Federation of New Mexico’s monthly publication, has and will continue to serve as a forum for these differing views.
Even those we disagree with, sometimes vehemently.
As for the Federation, however, let us be clear about one thing: we stand, in unwavering solidarity, with the people of Israel during Operation Cast Lead against the Hamas terrorist group in the Gaza Strip.
Like many communities across North America, the Jewish Federation recently convened a rally in Albuquerque to demonstrate that our community, as embodied in the UJC/Federation system, stands as One People, with One Destiny with our brothers and sisters in Israel and around the world.
Israeli Prime Minister Olmert sums up the vital importance of our support, saying, “It is a source of profound strength for the citizens of Israel to know that our Jewish family around the world continues to stand alongside us in our quest to bring peace and security to our homeland.”
Since its inception, Israel has faced a series of profound challenges. Today, it is grappling with an adversary who bases its political strategies on the principle of terrorizing civilian populations. Two years ago, Israel evacuated the Gaza Strip without conditions and without a peace treaty. The land was left to its Palestinian inhabitants, for their benefit. It was hoped that this action could help improve relations. Instead of the situation getting better, Gaza became a refuge for terrorists. Hamas became a democratically elected government, and developed close ties with Iran. Rockets began to fall upon the Land of Israel with ever-increasing intensity.
The civilian population in the Western Negev, Sderot, and the area surrounding Gaza has experienced daily attacks for eight years. I don’t think that we can quite imagine what this situation might be like. Well, if we were to suspend reality for a moment, (G-d forbid) imagine Las Cruces and El Paso being hit by rockets originating from Juarez. How many rockets would it take for the US Government to retaliate? One, two, perhaps three? Now imagine, thousands upon thousands of rockets hitting Las Cruces and El Paso. How long would it take for the US Government under any administration to retaliate? One week, one month, one year? What about two years? Not likely.
This past summer, Barack Obama visited Sderot as a presidential candidate. During his trip, he said: “I don’t think any country would find it acceptable to have missiles raining down on the heads of their citizens. The first job of any nation state is to protect its citizens. And so I can assure you that if — I don’t even care if I was a politician — if somebody was sending rockets into my house where my two daughters sleep at night, I’m going to do everything in my power to stop that. And I would expect Israelis to do the same thing.”
Since Israel evacuated from the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2005, approximately 6,300 rockets have been fired into Israel. Hundreds have fallen in recent days. Between 500 and 700,000 Israelis are in the direct range of these rocket attacks. That’s the same number of people who live in the Albuquerque metropolitan area.
Last month, Israeli Ambassador to the US, Sallai Merigdor said that: “Israel had no other choice then to take action to defend itself.”
Thus, we gather to stand in solidarity with the State of Israel and with its people.
Thus, we renounce the weeks of sustained, daily attacks.
Thus, we show our support during this uncertain, but very critical, time.
Thus, we say that Israel, like any other nation on earth, has a right to protect its citizens from a constant barrage of rocket fire and mortar shell attacks.
But also we pray for peace, for Israel and for its neighbors.
May the day come when nation shall no longer lift up sword against nation, neither shall we learn war any more.
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