For those readers who may have doubts about my objectivity when I describe the virtues of Israeli democracy, you can now hear it from an “outsider.”
Scott from Slant Point has been on a business trip in Israel for the past week or so, and he has been struck by Israel’s democracy.
The residents of Israel all admit their country is very much like America on the surface – the malls, supermarkets, signs, cafes, hotels and more. I did notice cars are not so nearly obsessed over as they are in the states. That all drive basic Hondas and Fiats.But one similarity I noticed, not from conversation, but from the daily paper, was a transparency in their way of life. This can simply be stated in no other term than Democracy.The second day I arrived I picked up the Jerusalem Post before breakfast, and after about 8 stories I came upon one that, athough very commonplace in America, I was nevertheless astonished to see in print here.An Israeli settler was convicted – not accused – of terrorist acts against Palestinians. This West Bank man, Shahar Dvir-Zeliger, 29 years old, had a cache of weapons in a cave near his settlement – assault rifles, anti-tank rockets, ammo and grenades. Ballistic tests matched the weapons to attacks on Pelestinians. He also was believed to be behind 4 failed bombing attempts on a Palestinian girls school.I could try to parse this man’s actions, placing him in a context of repeated attacks and war, and try to justify … something. But, plain and simple he is a criminal and terrorist. More importantly, when caught, Israel tried, convicted and punished him. Justice was served.It was quite warming to read this story, though terrible and tragic, just to see Democracy played out in another part of the world. When I traveled here I knew Israel was a Democracy, but one really cannot feel in a Democracy until certain things just are. That’s difficult to put into words, but what I mean is that although I should be as comfortable here as in America, I had a little apprehension talking about politics openly or moving freely about. Call it see-it-before-I-believe-it.Seeing stories like this helped me understand the difference from countries that claim to be open, look themselves in the mirror and call themselves free, and those that truly are. The world may have a huge list of grievances against this tiny nation, but like America, people flock to it because of opportunity and freedom. All around are immigrants, not just here for a Jewish homeland, but also for jobs and because compared to their home, Israel is, simply, wonderful and free.
Amen.
