Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., April 30, 2009 Iyyar 6, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:08 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File TLV 100

Israel time, 5769 By Haaretz Editorial Tags: Israel News, Independence Except when their national holiday falls on a symbolic year, or a round one for that matter, countries that have been around for a long time don't celebrate it as a birthday where the exact age is of ceremonial significance. Israel, on the other hand, is among the relatively young countries that regard their years of existence as a precious treasure, as though the accrual of time was an achievement in and of itself, proof of the capacity to survive and growing strength. Last year, Israel marked its 60th anniversary with great pomp. Perhaps now the time is ripe to let go of the euphoria over the country's very existence, the flip side of existential fear. On this Independence Day, we could enter a new space, where what matters is not the number of years, but what has been done with them. Especially since the synergy between "time" and "working in our favor," which Israel's leaders clung to as a guarantee of automatic improvement, isn't as certain as it once seemed to be. Time and again it has been shown that time in and of itself does not work in Israel's favor as long as Israel isn't doing its part. Advertisement Despite the impressive dynamism with which Israel strengthened over two generations, in its population, military, economy and unique culture, the ever-changing governments have a glaring tendency to view their responsibility as primarily maintaining stagnation on fundamental issues: the Palestinian problem, settlements and the eastern border; the constitution and Israeli self-definition, including the need for separation between religion and state; the integration of Israeli Arabs; the dominance of the military over life in Israel; and the trauma-stricken approach to the peace process, which concentrates on deflecting dangers and initiatives instead of seizing hopes, chances and diplomatic opportunities. All of these subjects remain unchanged, suspended and frozen, devoid of solutions or answers. Israel is not the only party responsible for its anomalous situation. Enemies near and far who question the state's legitimacy are not only not dissipating with the passage of time, they're becoming stronger. But the answer does not lie in entrenchment and a contrarian approach to the whole world, but rather the opposite: remobilization of the same creative energies that drew Israel admiration in its early years. Unfortunately, however, stagnation has taken the place of change when it comes to matters within our control as well. The new government is not only not heralding change and hope; it is calling for steps backward - in its approach to both Israel's Arabs and to our neighbors and the world. Those who have embraced "conflict management" and have despaired of a solution, and those for whom governing is an end in itself rather than a means for change and improvement, will find themselves marking time and treading water with us all, driven by crises instead of growing and renewing. On Independence Day, we belabor the obvious: The State of Israel was established to fulfill dreams, not to arm itself ahead of the coming of the Messiah. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Swine killed over flu Egypt orders pigs killed in anticipation of pandemic. Obama greets Israel U.S. President salutes Israel's 61st independence day.   1.   Us time is 233 and we are fighting for survival,time and again 14:50  |  Susanna/Shoshana 28/04/09   2.   Steps Backwards? 17:03  |  Jasper 28/04/09

Read & React Independence Day / I am a Zionist and I am proud Responses: 138 Barak: Israel can and must make peace within three years Responses: 137 Bradley Burston: Could the Taliban get the bomb before Iran does? Responses: 65 'Every step that strengthens Hamas only distances peace' Responses: 114 More Headlines 23:26 Peres: Bombing Iran may not be the 'best solution' 00:12 All four suspected swine flu victims in Israel test negative 23:23 Lieberman: Israel has worked to achieve peace since its creation 13:51 Obama congratulates Israel on turning 61 23:28 How Gideon Levy's first scoop got buried 15:40 'Israel's response to drill with Syria doesn't concern us' 22:42 IN PICTURES / Israel celebrates 61st Independence Day 21:43 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel 00:13 Netanyahu: Israel to do all in its power to bring Shalit home 19:30 German confesses to selling rocket material to Iran 14:27 Israeli Arabs mark 61st anniversary of Nakba 18:19 Probe into suspected draft-dodging promoters draws fire 18:46 Egypt orders slaughter of all pigs over swine flu Previous Editions Select Day 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr 26 apr 24 apr 23 apr 22 apr 21 apr 20 apr 19 apr 17 apr 16 apr

Special Offers Advertisement Spring Specials-Dan Hotels Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$ The Meier on Rothschild Tower Masterpiece Residence in the Heart of Tel Aviv Dead Sea Skin Care Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off! Camp Kimama Israel 2009 The best place for your children this summer Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results

Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved