By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal
SAN DIEGO — Last Sunday, my daughter Margalit left for Israel. She is the Senior Director of Birthright Israel Experience for the Jewish Taglit Birthright Federation of Greater Los Angeles. She is accompanying one of the trips. Last week she spent most of her time fielding phone calls from anxious participants and their parents. They were worried about the ongoing violence between Israel and Hamas. Up to the last minute I was not sure that the trip would take place. Ultimately twelve participants cancelled but the other twenty-eight took off from LAX on time.
We get updates from Margalit almost every day. Because of the ongoing violence emanating from Gaza, there have been changes in their itinerary, but they are still seeing most of the country. All of the young adults who are traveling with her are having a great time.
Were we concerned about Margalit traveling to Israel at this time? Somewhat, but probably no more than any other time our children travel abroad. We knew that Birthright trip operators would keep their group far from areas of potential danger, and that Israel’s “Iron Dome” missile defense system would protect major population centers. Furthermore, Israelis are trained to protect themselves by hiding in one of many strategically located bomb shelters.
This week’s death of four young Palestinian children playing on a Gaza beach was a tragedy. Civilian casualties are an unfortunate result of any war, but it is far more painful when children are killed. Unfortunately, these children had ignored their parents’ warning to stay off the beach because of the war. Also, the Israeli military has repeatedly warned that Hamas hiding rockets and munitions among civilian populations makes civilian casualties impossible to avoid.
There have been a disproportionate number of Palestinian deaths compared to Israeli deaths. However, Hamas began the war by firing rockets on Israel civilians and could end it by ceasing its aggression. Up to now they have rejected any proposed cease fire, even when Israel complied.
As many commentators have written, Israel has invested in Iron Dome and bomb shelters to protect her citizens. Hamas uses its funds to import and hide its rockets. As Prime Minister Netanyahu said on a recent Fox newscast, “‘We are using missile defense to protect our civilians, and they’re using their civilians to protect their missiles.”
As I write this D’var Torah, Israel has begun a ground offensive into the Gaza strip. We all hoped it would not come to this, but Israel has an obligation to protect its citizens. Can Israel stop Hamas? Probably not. Before too long we will hear calls from the international community for Israel to “stop its aggression,” which is exactly what Hamas wants. Israel will be condemned, ultimately will pull out of Gaza, and the entire cycle will begin again.
Sadly, I see no end in sight to the continuing violence and hatred. I pray that one day soon, terrorist organizations such as Hamas will lose their power and influence, and that Israelis and the Palestinians will find the courage to make the difficult decisions and sacrifices that may lead to peace.
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Rabbi Rosenthal is spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego. He may be contacted via leonard.rosenthal@sdjewishworld.com
Our daughter is going to Israel for 10 months to teach English to immigrants. Although we have not booked her flight yet as she needs to know what date she will be leaving, she is determined to go. Emily and her brother, Warren, were thrilled to be on Israel Outdoors a Birthright adventure this June. Of course we are concerned about her safety as unlike Birthright she will not have the intensive security. We are of course concerned, but would appreciate your advice.