By
Natalie Sikavi
October 30, 2008
As I watch the presidential and vice presidential debates and hear the candidates drop the world “Israel” in the hopes of gaining the Jewish vote, I can’t help but be dubious.
Let me start by saying that I love this country; I am the proudest American you will find. I’m deeply saddened by the division between right and left and by the struggles we are facing as a nation. I firmly believe that these problems have arisen because we haven’t yet come to terms with globalization. The decisions we make in this country will affect other countries and other countries’ decisions will affect us. This is true for our financial markets, our diplomatic relations, our energy policies, our national security and numerous other factors.
I will say that while it’s definitely not the only issue, the country of Israel is important to the Jewish people. Zionism is a response to the horrible racism of the last century and holds a place in the heart of Jews and non-Jews alike.
And yes, it will probably be on the mind of many American Jews as they vote next week. But it’s a piece in a much larger puzzle — the puzzle of the Middle East. And to win my vote, I’d like to hear more than name-dropping.
Syria, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Russia, Georgia, China, etc. — this global game of Risk is getting dangerous and what I want in our next president is a leader who can juggle them all.
I’m especially conflicted because I don’t think it’s right for the United States to use its military weight to constantly push countries around — especially since we’re starting to spread ourselves too thin.
But I also don’t see the value in sitting down to negotiate with governments that have the annihilation of Israel ingrained into their very existence.
What I want in a president is someone who will control what I see as an inevitable Middle Eastern arms race that will assure the destruction of my small country — 263 miles long by 71 miles wide at the widest point.
What I want in my senators and congressional representatives are people who will push aside party politics to work together with our new president to ensure that a rational plan of action gets put into place to deal with world powers and rogue states.
Because if our national security is in jeopardy — and believe me, at the rate we’re going, it is — then America won’t be able to address all the other problems hindering us from reaching our full potential as a country.
So, while my religion gives me a closer connection to the state of Israel, my concern for American national security will play a larger role in my vote this November.
Reach columnist Natalie Sikavi at opinion@dailyuw.com.
9 Comments
#1 N. E. Hoyle
on October 30, 2008 at 9:31 a.m.(Abbotsford, Canada | Unverified Name)
As you contemplate, you may want to contemplate these thoughtful words of past Presidents:
"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost" - a quote of John Quincy Adams, Eldest son of President John Adams and sixth president of the US, 1767-1848:
And from James Madison (1751–1836):
"War ... should only be declared by the authority of the people, whose toils and treasures are to support its burdens, instead of the government which is to reap its fruits"
#2 Bea
on October 30, 2008 at 11:58 a.m.(Ottawa, Canada | Unverified Name)
I am disturbed by the fact that the writer identifies as an American ad still calls Israel "my small country" -
Judaism has nothing to do with real estate. Judaism does not condone human rights and international law violations. It does not condone the subjugation of a whole people on the basis of their ethnicity. What is done by Israel in the name of Jews is anathema to those who know their religion. It is wrong to ask that the US keep financing, waging wars on behalf of Israel and protecting it as it violates human rights and humanitarian law with impunity. Israel is a nuclear power, its army is one of the most powerful in the world, and the US keeps pouring $$$ in billions. Enough already! This is not about religion. It is about an ideology that claims to be about religion just as al Qaida does claim to be about Islam. Israel should act as a responsible world citizen, and vacate the lands it occupies illegally. Then it will get the support of the whole international community.
#3 response to #2
on October 30, 2008 at 1:24 p.m.(Lakewood, WA | Unverified Name)
Bea, while you sound like a very idealistic person, you obviously have no idea what Judaism actually says regarding these issues. Besides for the fact that the Bible itself talks about Israel on a constant basis - yes, the dividing and conquering of Israel - all the major law texts - the Talmud, Code of Jewish Law, and others all others talk about it. And they actually have a lot to say about the subject of real estate and Israel and rogue nations and "the Jewishness of the land" and all that stuff.
If you don't like it, that's fine - just don't talk for Judaism. You don't have the right to be a spokesperson if you don't look up the major sources.
Judaism is not ethereal - it's very grounded in legal and intellectual thought. Before you post something like this, best to check up some sources.
#4 Bea
on October 30, 2008 at 1:43 p.m.(Ottawa, Canada | Unverified Name)
You use “idealistic” as something wrong… Too bad. However, one can be idealistic and respectful of facts. I am not speaking for any one but myself – I invite you to read the following – which are obviously very different from the points of view from you are used to hear - before judging http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/ar... ;
http://www.ijv.org.uk/ and although I do not espouse all the views of Jews Not Zionists, it is worth reading on their take about the difference between religion and the state: http://www.jewsnotzionists.org/differ...
Let’s talk once you have read these.
#5 Benjamin L.
on October 30, 2008 at 3:07 p.m.(Redmond, WA)
How do you know Natalie wasn't born in Israel?
I think of America as my country first and foremost, but nevertheless Israel and Korea mean more to me than, say, Chad. I am sure the same goes for many other Americans. Don't paint Natalie as someone with divided loyalties.
#6 Bea
on October 30, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.(Ottawa, Canada | Unverified Name)
I am not painting anything, just highlighting words used by Nathalie herself: “this country”[US] vs. “my small country” [Israel] -- Caring about a state where you have friends, have visited, or have other connections is different from what you say “my country first and foremost, but nevertheless Israel and Korea mean more to me than …” – Divided allegiance or not, it remains that the US taxpayers – both directly and through tax deductible donations - are underwriting Israel’s occupation and flouting of international and humanitarian law. Size doesn’t matter in this case. Israel may be “small” but it is punching way above its size: it has a powerful military force, is a nuclear power and has the unquestioning support of the firs power in the world. I hope that the new administration keeps US $$$ in the US where it is needed! Look around you.
#7 To Bea
on October 30, 2008 at 8:53 p.m.(Lakewood, WA | Unverified Name)
1. I was actually complimenting you - in my mind, idealism is a good thing. But it should not get in the way of information.
2. I am not a Zionist. I am a Jew who tries to learn as much as I can about my religion, its beliefs, and its opinions on current events.
You may not know this, but the website you posted jewsnotzionist.org is from the group Neturei Karta, who are radical Ultra-Orthodox (or so they consider themselves) who have, among other things, attended Ahmedinejad's Holocaust Denial conference. So that is not a proper source. Neither is the IJV - being as well an extremist organization. Ms. Greenberg's article looks great, but she brings no sources to anything she cites, and ignores the basic fact that Israel has been a central part of Judaism since its inception.
I'm not arguing the policies that you espouse - while I disagree with them, that's not where I'm taking issue. I take issue with the fact that you are saying things in the name of "Judaism" without actually knowing what Judaism does in fact say.
We all know there's nothing like original sources (books) to get your information from. So read the Tanach from cover to cover, with as many classic commentaries as possible (Rashi, Ramban, Ibn Ezra, etc.), look up the subject in Talmudic indexes, and read the classic philosophers and legal minds - then you can talk from Judaism's perspective.
#8 Mikael
on October 31, 2008 at 9:21 a.m.(UW Campus | Unverified Name)
Natalie,
First, I thank you for writing this article and posing the question. I do think that my Judaism and Judaism's teaching of tikkun olam plays a role in whom I choose to vote. Israel is just one topic in a plethora of social and environmental issues to consider when one enters the voting booth. I tend to vote based on the ideal, Is [insert subject here] good for the majority of the people? Just something to think when you go to the polls. Thanks again for writing the article and I wish you shavuah tov.
L'shalom,
Mikael
#9 Lena S.
on November 7, 2008 at 12:04 a.m.(Mercer Island, WA)
Natalie, this is a beautifully written article as always :) You are such a credit to the Jewish nation and people :)Keep up the good work!
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