With the hundredth anniversary of the Balfour Declaration – few words, infinite ripples – I found myself, again, trying to square the circle of my feelings regarding Israel.
Born a Jew, brought up a Jew, although not in an extremely strictly adherent way – who can deny a bacon sandwich, or crackling, or lobster on a bbq – the default position was always that Israel should exist.
And even though the religious observances and beliefs have long gone, being a Jew is more than a belief system. It has always been more of a commonality of race, although not defined by geography. Except that Israel existed as the ‘spiritual’ home.
And that identity, that connection throughout the diaspora, has always been a part of my self. And the continued strength of that world-wide connection is, in no small part, due to the adversity that centuries have inflicted on Jews throughout the world.
I have visited Israel twice, and may do so again. And each time, along with the family that I have there, was a feeling that, although I would never live there, that it was in some way a part of me. A right by association. Which I suppose is what nationality is.
And that feeling, of belonging and ownership, still remains. But there is so much else besides.
The theory, the principle of a Jewish home in Israel is hard to dismiss, and the historical and religious qualifiers are undeniable. Although I suppose some will always try.
And the positive and tangible results are impressive.
And the negatives are depressing, and saddening, and unnecessary, and unacceptable.
No-one should have to live in fear. Not even for one day, never mind every day. And since 1948 that has been the lot of the Israeli people, from their immediate neighbours, and further afield.
Circumstances have changed. Accommodations of various sorts have been reached with the immediate neighbours, and whilst noises from slightly further away still threaten, they are as much an element of proxy posturing as is the bloodier indirect conflict between the USA and Russia on Syrian soil.
But, and it is a huge and immovable but in my heart, along with my love for and of Israel, there is also shame and anger.
And that is because, although one element of the Balfour Declaration has come to its own reality, the other major element has been trampled over, ground down and ignored.
The treatment of the Palestinians has been, and is, a dishonour on the rightness of the existence of the state of Israel.
And, of any nationality in this world, the Israeli people, more than any other, should understand how wrong the treatment of the Palestinians has been, and continues to be.
If you want to create a cohesive, antagonistic group, you treat them badly. You ignore the rule of law, you ignore decency, you ignore human rights, you ignore history.
Of course, the guilt doesn’t lie with every Israeli, and certainly not with every Jew. But the guilt for the ongoing strife in the region, and the continued anti-semitic activities around the world, is on the hands of those in power, both in Israel, and the countries that support it.
Israel as a nation exists, and should continue to do so. And it should do so as an exemplar of everything that is positive in a vibrant, and still young country, that is built on ancient sites and morals.
However, for it to exist through the destruction and denial of another nation is a situation that is hard, maybe impossible, to accept.
And so the struggle to square the circle continues. Stalemate. Time to change the players?
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