You can’t just wish Israel away

No matter how much the South African government wishes Israel away, it’s not going anywhere. If they all close their eyes and hope like mad, Israel still won’t disappear. I promise.

I suggest they get used to the fact that Israel is part of the Middle East, and is there to stay. Also, it would really help all of us if instead of hoping that if they blinked, it would be gone, they would check it out for themselves.

It’s really hard to miss Israel if you’re in the Palestinian territories. You have to make a real effort to avoid it.

I have been racking my brain as to why the deputy ambassador of international relations and cooperation, Candith Mashego-Dlamini, and her cohorts would go all the way to the Middle East and visit most of Israel’s neighbours, including the Palestinian areas, and ignore Israel. Would they do this just to make a point?

If that were the case, what point haven’t they already made in all their anti-Israel statements?

If they had gone to visit Israel, perhaps they could have taken a day trip to Yad Vashem and familiarised themselves with what happened in the Holocaust. Then, they could have spent some time in the country, seeing how people of different backgrounds and religions really live together happily. They could have driven around Jerusalem, visiting both East and West to see how they lock together. There’s so much that one can learn without making it a specifically diplomatic visit.

If they didn’t want to speak to the government, they wouldn’t have been forced to. They could even have made the point of having only Arab guides, even that would have been acceptable. But to spend time in the Middle East and in the Palestinian areas without setting foot in Israel is more than being davka, it’s a sure-fire way of avoiding the truth. It’s the only way to make sure that you see just one side of a two-sided situation.

If they really wanted to use this opportunity to make a statement, then so be it. However, I cannot see why, when they were already in the area, they didn’t just see for themselves this country they spend so much time denigrating and criticising.

If the issue was about not wanting to make it a diplomatic visit, then they didn’t have to. I’m sure the Israeli authorities wouldn’t be perturbed if they chose that, but at least they would be aware that the South African government was making a concerted effort to do its own research without getting it second, third, fourth, and often, fifth hand.

But this group going out of its way to prevent any learning about Israel makes no sense to me. How genuine, then, is their criticism of Israel if they refuse to see both sides for themselves?

Perhaps it’s the journalist in me, but I always want to learn more. To do this, there’s no better way than to head directly to the proverbial coalface. That would obviously include the Palestinian areas, but it would also mean checking out Israel for myself.

It’s as if they’re afraid to find out the truth so they avoid going anywhere near Israel. I wonder what they think they might have found? Perhaps they imagine the land of milk and honey is waiting for them. If they found that, perhaps it would be difficult to continue to take a vehement stand against the country. They would then have to backtrack, and that could be embarrassing.

Or, perhaps they might find a country that runs well – with its glitches – and people who get on with their lives. They might discover an economically successful country that could benefit South Africa if they were on speaking terms.

Who knows? But all I can say is that it seems childish to go all the way there and make a point of avoiding the Jewish state.

I wonder if they also avoid Ukraine so they don’t see what’s happening to the people there? This week, we look back over six months of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It seems astonishing that the war continues unabated and somehow, the world keeps turning and apparently going on as usual. We are reminded of the war when faced with price hikes in certain areas, but for the most part, when was the last time you discussed the war? Exactly!

Let’s not turn our backs on a war that continues to be waged. Let’s take a stand against it. Watch this space for a phenomenal endeavour by the broader South African community to help Ukrainians. It’s not too late to help. You’ll find out more in the next few weeks.

On an uplifting note, I’m inspired by the fact that Holocaust survivor Irene Klass has just renewed her driver’s license. Kol hakavod to her! There’s no letting up for this amazing warrior woman. She’s grabbing every bit of life and all that it offers, doing her best to enjoy it to the full.

We could all learn a huge lesson from her and other survivors in how to see the good in what we have. Age is but number. As long as we have our health and a positive attitude, we can grab life with both hands.

I know this isn’t always easy, and I do my fair share of complaining, especially about our government and its anti-Israel policies. But why would anyone choose to be negative and miserable if they didn’t have to? Does that make sense?

Now that the sun is shining in Johannesburg and summer is on the horizon, there is every reason to be out and about. So, let’s make the most of what we have, just like Irene Klass.

Finally, after two years without the world’s largest and oldest ultramarathon, the Comrades is back. We wish every one of its competitors the best of luck in the upcoming run. No matter how much you love running, it’s a massive challenge, so all the best to you and your body! Behatzlachah!

Shabbat Shalom!

Peta Krost

Editor