We are in the midst of a very interesting period in the Jewish and Israeli calendar. We are nearing the end of the Omer, the 7-week period between Pessach and Shavuot, during which we commemorate a number of modern Israeli festivals and holidays -- Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Hero and Martyr's Day, Yom Hazikharon (Memorial Day for Fallen Israeli Soldiers), Yom Ha'atzma'ut (Independence Day), and last week, Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day). During this short period we experience both poles of the emotions of Judaism, joy and sadness. It all culminates on Shavuot, when we re-live Revelation, God's giving of the Law to the Jewish People on Mt. Sinai (Matan Torah). In a sense, celebrating the joys and sadness of the last century of Jewish and Zionist history throughout this period can prepare us for the amazing event of Matan Torah that we continue to live throughout the year.
JERUSALEM
Last week, we celebrated the 36th Anniversary of the Reunification (or Liberation, or whatever word you want to describe the events of the Six Day War) of Jerusalem. From Israeli Independence in 1948, Jerusalem was chosen to be the political capital of the nascent State of Israel, as it had been the political capital for centuries as well as the spiritual centre even throughout our Exile. Independence was declared on Friday, May 14, in Tel Aviv, and not all members of the National Council were able to attend the ceremony. A number of them were stuck in Jerusalem which was surrounded by Arab forces. They all knew that there was only one possible capital for the new state.
Unfortunately, at the end of the war, when the Armistice was signed with Jordan in the spring of 1949, Jerusalem became a city divided between Jordan and Israel. All of the Old City, as well as the Mt. of Olives and its ancient Jewish cemetary, fell under Jordanian control. For the next 19 years, Jews could only pray and dream of returning to the ancient Holy sites.
After the IDF entered the Old City in June 1967, Jews were once again able to access the Jewish Quarter and the Western Wall. The 5-mile long wall separating the two sides of the city, as well as the barbed wire fence and mine fields, were all removed. As it says in the Psalms, "The built-up Jerusalem is like a city that is united together" (Ps 122:3)
The War heralded in a new era in Jerusalem's history. As the city is so important to Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, the Israeli government endeavours to provide freedom of access to the holy places of the 3 great monotheistic religions. We must ensure that the messages of Torah, which "comes forth from Zion" will continue to be taught.
This difficult task is being fought on both the national and local levels. This week, there is a municipal election in Jerusalem. There are 2 main candidates for Mayor, Uri Luplianski, a Haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) politician who has been serving as interim mayor since the resignation of Ehud Olmert so that he could serve as minister in the national government earlier this year. He enjoys wide support from the city's Haredi population (1/3 of eligible voters). Nir Barkat, a self-made millionaire with no political experience, is favoured by much of non-Haredi Jewish population (1/3 of eligible voters). The remaining population is of the city is Arab, who although eligible, will largely not turn out to vote.
The vote promises to be close, but that is the least of the worries in Jerusalem. As Yehuda Amichai wrote in his poem, "Mayor," "It's sad/To be the Mayor of Jerusalem/It is terrible. How can any man be the mayor of a city like that?" Whoever wins will face tough challenges in the country's largest city, with growing poverty and more people leaving the city each year than those who chose to move there.
THE BUDGET
After lengthy discussions, as well as industrial actions which virtually shut down the country for a few days, the government finally succeeded in passing its budget with a 52-1 majority. The opposition left the Knesset plenum before the final vote in protest to the earlier vote to stop debating about many ammendments to the plan. Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the passing of his economic plan "a historic revolution that will thrust the economy forward." The plan calls to eliminate NIS 10 billion from the state budget this year, to slow down government spending when the tax revenue continues to drop, and to keep the budget deficit within a manageable range.
Many sectors are still angered over the budget, although Histadrut leader Amir Peretz had agreed to end industrial action after a series of marathon talks with Netanyahu. Protests will continue, as the welfare net of the State shrinks. More employment must be created, which will in turn generate greater tax revenue for the government.
THE ROAD MAP
Now that the Gulf War II is over, the Americans, EU, UN, and Russia are seeking to advance the "Road Map," which over 3 phases, will result in the creation of a Palestinian state and final status agreement by 2005. In the first stage, Israel will halt settlement activity and withdraw from Palestinian Authority (PA)-controlled areas, while the PA will issue an unconditional cease-fire and cease incitement to violence. During the second stage, a Palestinian state with provisional borders will be established.
The Israeli Cabinet, by a vote of 12-7 (with 4 abstensions) voted to adopt the Road Map, but still had 14 outstanding 'issues.' PM Sharon said that, "The idea that it is possible to continue keeping 3.5 million Palestinians under occupation - yes, it is occupation, you might not like the word, but what is happening is occupation - is bad for Israel, and bad for the Palestinians, and bad for the Israeli economy. Controlling 3.5 million Palestinians cannot go on forever. You want to remain in Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, and Bethlehem?"
He has been attacked by the far-right members of his Cabinet, who accuse him of being further left than the Labour Party. Does he really mean that he will see to the establishment of a Palestinian State? Who would have thought that the 'Father of the Settlements' would be the leader of Israel who saw to the establishment of a Palestinian State? (Don't forget that he was the Housing Minister in Menachem Begin's Cabinet who began dismantling the settlements in Sinai in 1979 to fulfill the Camp David Peace Accords with Egypt!). What 'historic compromises' does he think that Israel will have to make in the near future?
In response to Sharon's incredible statement, one Israeli newspaper poll showed that 62% of Israelis support the end of 'the Occupation,' whatever that means exactly. The details of this, are of course much harder to understand. Does this mean a 100% Israeli withdrawal from all of the West Bank and Gaza, or as Sharon has said, giving control of 42% of these areas to the PA? As in most issues, Israelis are very divided over this question.
Most citizens would be ready to recognize the establishment of a Palestinian State, but feel, especially after the last 32 months of violence, that there has to be a commensurate desire among the Palestinians for the legitimate existence of the State of Israel.
After meeting Palestinian PM Abbas twice in recent weeks, Sharon will be going to Aqaba in Jordan this week (across the bay from Eilat) for a quadrilateral meeting with American President Bush, PA Prime Minister Abbas, and Jordanian King Abdullah II. The results of this important conference may already be worked out by all sides (otherwise they would not have agreed to attend!), but it could very well be an important step along the path to further negotiations and the Road to Peace.
As the Psalmist says, "Seek peace and pursue it!" We shall hope and pray that the leaders will continue to progress and the two nations will take the steps necessary to ensure the progress to peace.