From Israel to Sleeping at my office desk in Los Angeles

The last day of my trip to Israel was sheer beauty. Today was the day for the “heavy” experiences.

We found a cab driver who took us all around Jerusalem for a fair price. That in itself proves that miracles exist in this holy city.

We saw holy Jewish, Christian, and Muslim sites. Pictures taken of everything from various churches to the holy Muslim site known as the Dome of the Rock were interspersed with the Jewish experience.

We went to the Mount of Olives, the Jewish cemetery.

The most emotional part of the day was going to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial.

This part of the experience brought out the worst in me, although it was confined to thoughts. My father is a Holocaust Survivor, and all the museum did was reinforce deeply felt hostilities already inside of me.

In my view, the world did nothing in 1933. They simply let us die. All it takes for evil to flourish, as the saying goes, is for good people to do nothing.

I was not sad witnessing the Holocaust Museum. I was angry. I did take pride in the Warsaw Ghetto people. They did not surrender. They fought. That reinforced my belief in the Second Amendment to the Constitution, and that the Jews that survived the longest had guns to fight back with. I do not see myself ever compromising on this belief.

Yet what made me angriest was not 1933, or even 1938. I felt like 2008 has the potential to be a repeat performance, and the world is doing nothing.

I see Iran and Syria as the new Germany. Some of the murderers even use Nazi literature to justify their teachings of hate. I have repeatedly said that Iran and Syria need to be turned into 50,000 golf courses. The Holocaust Museum reminded me “Never Again.”

Jews are being murdered by terrorists sponsored by Iran and Syria, and the world does nothing. Dead Jews? Who cares?

I do.

Some say Iran would not attack Israel because they would then get wiped out. This implies that the Mullahs are rational and logical rulers. I suspect otherwise. After all, it is not possible for diplomacy when destruction is the end result. You cannot bribe or bargain with those willing to die.

The IDF lost its power of deterrence in 2006, although perhaps the next Israeli prime Minister will be Bibi Netanyahu, and hope will return.

We also visited the Knesset, which was not in session. Like the rest of the world, they vacation to escape the Summer heat. We passed by the office building of Prime Minister Ehud Ohlmert. Nothing was being done today in terms of government business, so it was a typical day under his administration. He will be fired soon enough, and hope will return.

Yet the best part of the trip came in the form of our cab driver, and Arabic man named Faisal. He was a kind, decent man, and one of the only cab drivers that not only knew his way around, but did so in a safe manner. Israelis may cherish human life, but they do not value it in terms of most of their cab drivers.

Faisal told me how he wanted peace, and that as an Israeli Arab in Jerusalem, he leads a happy life. He has Jewish friends, and he enjoys showing people the city he was born and raised in.

Also, when there is war, it kills tourism, which hurts his economic survival. He hates Hamas and all the rest. He thinks that they destroy peace, and hurt Jews and Arabs.

I did not get political. Faisal expresse his opinions with no solicitation. Yet there was no faking the kindness of this man. I told him that he was “My first Arab friend, and hopefully not the last.”

One moment of beauty occurred outside a Christian Church. Outside the gate, an elderly woman of 80 and perhaps 90 was walking with a cane across some steps. She saw the Chicago Cannonball, and then me, and she clutched for our hands. I helped her several steps inside. Then a big, strong, Muslim man carried her down several steps and placed her in line so she could go through the Tomb of Mary, one of the holiest Christian sites.

The Chicago Cannonball and I did not go through because it is not our faith, and the moment would have been lost on me. Yet to have Jews and Muslims helping an elderly Christian lady reach one of the most important spiritual places in her faith was truly heartwarming.

The emotion of the tour and the sweltering heat took its toll, so we went back to the Old City, to end the trip on a lighthearted note by doing…what else…shopping.

Although the entire trip was a beautiful experience, it was time to go home. Exhaustion and fatigue had set in, and the 11 hour flight back to New Jersey would allow for some respite.

This was after of course, surviving the airport gift shops, as if we did not shop enough during the trip.

I thank God, and of course my friend Uri, for providing me the experience to go to Israel. It is in my rearview mirror, but Tel Aviv and Jerusalem will never be forgotten.

The Tygrrrr Express and the Chicago Cannonball are now back in America. Israel was beautiful, but America is my home.

She is in Chicago, and I am at work.

If anybody needs to find me, I am sleeping at my office desk in Los Angeles.

eric

18 Responses to “From Israel to Sleeping at my office desk in Los Angeles”

  1. Micky 2 says:

    “One moment of beauty occurred outside a Christian Church. Outside the gate, an elderly woman of 80 and perhaps 90 was walking with a cane across some steps. She saw the Chicago Cannonball, and then me, and she clutched for our hands. I helped her several steps inside. Then a big, strong, Muslim man carried her down several steps and placed her in line so she could go through the Tomb of Mary, one of the holiest Christian sites.

    The Chicago Cannonball and I did not go through because it is not our faith, and the moment would have been lost on me. Yet to have Jews and Muslims helping an elderly Christian lady reach one of the most important spiritual places in her faith was truly heartwarming.”

    That made my day.

  2. Never forget – no peoples abused and murdered more Jews than the Europeans. In the overall history of the Diaspora, Muslims have been the most hospitable of all the host peoples. Really only since the birth of modern Israel have tensions between Jews and their neighbors been so bad since the destruction of the First Temple.

    History will continue to roll along. The Jews and their neighbors must find peace eventually, and murdering all Israels neighbors will never be the course to that peace.

    JMJ

  3. Micky 2 says:

    ” Really only since the birth of modern Israel have tensions between Jews and their neighbors been so bad since the destruction of the First Temple.”

    Man, that is just bordering an almost antisemite view that puts the blame on the Jews.

    That made me very uncomfortable bro.
    What you should be saying is that all of Israels neighbors should not be trying to murder the Israelis.
    Thats the way it is when its just one little country against a whole region of countries.

    Man, if I were you I would rethink what you just wrote and maybe ask Eric to take it down so you can restructure it

  4. Micky 2 says:

    Also, its only obvious that you are trying to take blame/focus off of todays Arabs and put it on yesterdays Europeans

  5. Yesterdays (and today’s) Europeans (and that includes us) ARE the reason today’s Arabs are so hostile toward the Jews. Had we not have been so hatefully antisemitic in the not so distant past, there would be no Israel today, and life for everyone, including the Jews, would be a lot more peaceful. And had we in the West not interposed ourselves in the Arab world, life would be better for all as well.

    JMJ

  6. Micky 2 says:

    I stand by what I said.
    And this statement just re enforces what I mean.

    “And had we in the West not interposed ourselves in the Arab world, life would be better for all as well. ”

    Get this right.
    No one should take responsability for the actions of the Arabs except for the Arabs themselves.

    Your statement makes it all too clear to anyone who can read between the lies , even with limited objectivity what you are saying.

    Instead of just backing up and saying “yes, that didnt come out right” your arrogance will not allow you to rephrase it.

    Dont try to evade and switch this to “for all as well” or “we” as in America.

  7. Micky 2 says:

    read between the “lines”, not lies.

  8. Everything happens for a reason, Micky. Newton’s Laws, Micky. Newton’s Laws.

    JMJ

  9. Micky 2 says:

    Apologies and corrections can be made with a reason also.

    The way someone constructs a statement happens for a reason also.
    The key word would be “reason” not “happens”

    The reason I believe your statement was constructed the way it was is because you appease our enemies and hate your country by affording excuses to our enemies.

    You can beat this a hundred ways to nowhere and it wont change my mind.
    I can read. I can read the meaning in something simply by the way its written.

    Eric:
    “I see Iran and Syria as the new Germany. Some of the murderers even use Nazi literature to justify their teachings of hate. I have repeatedly said that Iran and Syria need to be turned into 50,000 golf courses. The Holocaust Museum reminded me “Never Again.”

    Jersey;
    “Never forget – no peoples abused and murdered more Jews than the Europeans. In the overall history of the Diaspora, Muslims have been the most hospitable of all the host peoples. Really only since the birth of modern Israel have tensions between Jews and their neighbors been so bad since the destruction of the First Temple.

    Eric is pointing out how he sees the Syrians and Iranians as the new purveyors of a holocaust. Seeing as how the Muslim brotherhoods doctrine was yanked right out of the Nazi playbook this makes all the sense in the world. He is saying that history will repeat itself if we dont learn the lessons of WW2.

    In return, instead of saying that what these two countries are up to is reprehensible you are too quick to take the blame and focus off of the subject being the Arabs and turn it back onto Europeans as if to give recent Arab behavior a pass.
    You are justifying bad behavior by the Arabs by pointing to the Europeans and saying what they did was worse.
    This does not excuse the Arabs.
    Once again, you are minimizing a threat by an insulting and improper comparison.
    Telling Israelis basically:
    If you think the Arabs are bad just look at what the Europeans did to you.

    I stand by my statement and if I were on another blog I most certainly would not be so polite.

    JMJ;
    “Really only since the birth of modern Israel have tensions between Jews and their neighbors been so bad ”

    What the hell is that supposed to mean ?
    Maybe the jews should not exist so that there would of been peace ?
    Is the birth of modern Israel to blame ?
    Because man, unless I’m delusional that sure is what it sounds like.

    I’m not stupid Jersey, I know how to read an article and see which way it leans.
    You’re not fooling anyone.
    I dont believe that your support for Israel, our country and our troops is genuine

  10. “The reason I believe your statement was constructed the way it was is because you appease our enemies and hate your country by affording excuses to our enemies.”

    That’s because you live in Comic Book land where people arbitrarily “hate” and “appease” and make “excuses.”

    Personally, I and most other people find the way the Palestinians approach their predicament to be stupid and counter-productive, to say the least. Peaceful, non-violent protest would get them a lot further in life. It’s the ol’ “you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar” theory.

    But the root of their compaint, their cause, is understood by most educated people. After WWII, and through no fault of their own, the Palestinians were suddenly faced with displacement from a land that was theirs, or at least resided by them, for hundreds of years. They had nowhere to go, as the regional states wnated no part of them, other than to use their plight for political points. This only exaserbated their problems.

    Everything else you said is disingenuous, misleading, misrepresentative, insulting, juvenile and stupid and I will not further address it.

    JMJ

  11. Micky 2 says:

    ‘That’s because you live in Comic Book land where people arbitrarily “hate” and “appease” and make “excuses.”

    Now, there you go again with the comic book thing.
    There was nothing arbitrary about your statement.

    You can call it what you want, but you are too wrong to debate it.
    As I have drawn out an example by quoting you in comparison to Erics statement and what the opposing attitude would of said.
    And like a child you call names and say you wont address it.
    You know why ?
    Because you cant.

    The comfirmation to this is your instant support for the Palestinians by giving me a history lesson on the plight of a people that the Arabs are actually using as a pawn to make Israel appear as the aggressor

    I made too much sense for you to argue with it.
    If there was a leak in my claim you would of been able to counter it with something more productive than quoting Newton and trying to evade to “for all as well” or “we” as in America.

    Now, I did offer you the respect of not calling you an antisemite for your sublime assertion of that bigotry.
    But , since you have clearly lost this by attributing nothing but attacking the world I live in and my mentality maybe uts appropriate to tell you that no matter what you say, as one of the most complimented attack dogs on every blog I go to I can assure you that I do not pick fights I cant win only because I do look and think twice before opening my yap.
    In your case I only had to read your comment once.
    And so far , by your lacking response, its evident to see that I’ve hit a sore spot that you do not want to address.
    In most cases this is called “LOOSING” or “being exposed ”

    Trust me. There is nothing comic bookish about being able to see a comment that renders sympathy to Israels enemies and minimizes the threat to them by somehow de-escalting the intentions of Iran and Syria.
    Grow up and come out of your fantasy and learn to call the bad guys, bad guys.

  12. Well, for starters, it’s nothing against Jews, but the recreation of ancient Israel was what historians call an “accident of history.” It simply happened at a bad time – at the historic conjunction of decolonialism and the rise of the oil-igarchies in the Middle East. These two factors were enough to jump-start sectarian fervor alone, but when combined with the return of the diaspora the situation became too combustive to contain. This is why answers to these problems seem so beyond the reach of even the greatest statespeople of our time. I have no answer myself, of course, being little ol’ me. But anyone can see that the status quo has been anything but succcessful. So whatever the answer or answers may be, they are obviously not at hand as of yet.

    Also, this whole “Iran and Syria” thing seems a little selective if you ask me. What about Saudi Arabia? Yemen? Oman? The UAE? Egypt? Jordan? Lebanon? The “Stans”? Lybia? Tunisia? And more? All of these countries in one way or another provide aid and comfort to Israel’s enemies. What about the nations which support those nations? China and Russia in particular. Free Traders seem to have no problem doing business with China, while China seems to have no problem doing business with these states that aid and support the enemies of Israel. Why single out Iran and Syria? Is it because we don’t get oil from either of them? I don’t get it. Why is it okay to do business with China while China supports the very states that aid and comfort these enemies? I guess personal profits trump Zionism.

    JMJ

  13. Micky 2 says:

    “What about Saudi Arabia? Yemen? Oman? The UAE? Egypt? Jordan? Lebanon? The “Stans”? Lybia? Tunisia? And more?”

    Thats why I said “Arabs”. I extend the blame to more than just Syria and Iran,
    The Arabs could and can afford to do more to get the Palestinians settled.
    The Arabs could put the Palestinians in a position where they nothing to bitch about any more, but they wont. And even if they did, the hatred by the palestinians and antisemitism in the middle east has run so deep by now that it most likely does not matter what anyone does.
    I have kept a score card in my head during the last 40 years that I was actually aware of the Jews plight and it seems like more than not when the Jews are just minding their own business here comes some camel jockey throwin bombs at them again.
    My father was not a devout Jew. I think the last time he went to temple he was 15 years old. But he was always proud of his people regardless of religious zeal. And always manged to keep me somewhat connected to the realities of how the Jews just want to be left alone, but were not allowed.

    Iran and Syria are the fronts for the antisemitic moement in the middle east. That is why they are singled out. They are the key and major suppliers and supporters of the movement to extinguish the Jews. It seems more or less like all the middle has inadvertently delegated them to do the job.
    There is no easy answer if you ask most people.
    I myself would simplify it much like Eric would and just clean their slate on a scale large enough where they would never f*ck with the Jews again. I think they should do it along with our backing and screw what the world thinks
    I’m not one to mess around or mix words in a conflict. Once its evident what your opponents objective is, why waste time and lives ?

    Regardless of all that.
    It seems to me by your writings as if you somehow think that the Jews have some sort of obligation to accept terms as they have been due to the “it could be worse” mentality or “just look at what the Europeans did , the Arabs are nothing compared to them”
    That doesnt make right whats going on. As if to say that the Jews should shut up and count their blessings.
    No one is responsable for the actions of the Arabs but the Arabs themselves.
    And it has become only plain to see even from and uneducated streetwise punks perspective that the Jews are being harrased.
    All the little piss ass arguments I have heard on the side in the last 40 years dont amount to any justification for what the Jews have had to endure.
    They are a force to be reckoned with and I suggest their neighbors start wising up.
    The Palestians should be givin one more chance to settle and worship and behave. If they fail to behave themselves again, out they go, along with all supporting tributaries whoever they may be, the list is long.
    Which amazes me.
    As long as that list is it seems that these other Arab nations wont do as much as they can to help the Palestinians settle, but they go out of their way to create terrorist organizations to fight the Jews all in the name of the Palestinians.
    This is why I have no doubt that Arab nations by certain means and ways are purposely keeping Palestinians in a constant state of limbo so as to justify a conflict which to them only serves as a conduit to enable and justify there hatred for the Jews.
    They know that if they helped to settle the Palestinians once and for all the conflict may stand a better chance than ever of ending.
    But they wont. They want that conflict. They are hoping one day the Jews will do something that warrants and all out invasion and extinguishing and with out the conflict that possibility is gone.
    Its like wanting to murder your neighbor.
    But everyone is watching. You could move or just grow your hedge a little higher.
    But instead you taunt him, you cut down your hedge and extend your lease all in the hopes that one day he will do something that justifies you killing him.
    Because if you leave, you very well cant justify driving across town to kill him. And leaving also takes away from the opportunity for a squabble to breakout.
    Palestinians dont want peace. They want dead Jews.
    And really am tired of hearing people like you who just dont get it keep telling everyone to just along

  14. Micky 2 says:

    Sorry, I lack sometimes and dont catch it til later.
    Thayt last sentence should say;

    And really am tired of hearing people like you who just dont get it and keep telling everyone to just get along

  15. Well, it seems to me you have one thing right – the Arab states have no intention of bringing peace and prosperity to the Palestinians. The reason why seems as obvious as the reason American cons brought us the “Cold War” and the “War on Terror” – to keep their respective populaces attention on a common foreign “enemy” rather than their own real problems at home.

    But to say that the Palestinians “don’t want peace” is just plain ignorant of basic human interest. Of course they want peace. They just want a piece of land to call their own to have peace with! And to say the Iran and Syria “are the fronts for the antisemitic movement” is just plain ignorant of the whole Middle Eastern question. Of course they are not the “fronts.” The main protagonists are weathy theo-autocrats and theo-plutocrats in the Arabian penninsula! Where the h#!! have you been?

    And to say that Iran and Syria should be blown to bits is just plain disgusting. Evil. And in the end, would only exaserbate the problem exponentially! Do you have any idea how many Muslims there are in the world??? Do you think they’d all just sit back and allow that sort of genocide against their own? You’d have to be a suicidal/homocidal maniac to that lunacy is a good idea! It’s easy for American Zionist to spout such rhetoric from accross the Atlantic cozily in the greatest empire on the planet – but talk to a few Israelis and you’ll find out quick that the vast majority of them are too smart, educated and realistic for such murderously simplistic answers to their problems.

    JMJ

  16. Micky 2 says:

    “They just want a piece of land to call their own to have peace with!”

    They have had this many times. but its never enough.

    “The main protagonists are weathy theo-autocrats and theo-plutocrats in the Arabian penninsula! Where the h#!! have you been?”

    The Syrians and Iranians are the poster children carrying that banner and doing their dirty work. Where have you been ?

    There movement is just as voracious as any other that has wanted to spread its doctrine.
    Half of them are in favor suicide bombings, Its a fact

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