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Last update - 23:24 23/04/2007 Fulfilling our Zionist destiny By Haaretz Editorial An atmosphere of disappointment, despondency and anxiety prevails in Israel in its 59th year. There is no point in trying to dull the power of these feeling when we mark Memorial Day and Independence Day. A new government, headed by a new political movement that undertook to end the occupation, has led - or more accurately, was led - by an arrogant, rusty army to a painful, frustrating and dangerous defeat in a war against Hezbollah. The war put an end to the plan to pull out of the West Bank and remove illegal outposts, and stifled hopes for an arrangement with the Palestinian Authority. Advertisement Inside Israel, one scandal followed another. Rejoicing at the cleaning out of the stables was loud, but at times McCarthy's image seemed to hover in the air. And poverty and discrimination did not recede. Despite all this, economic growth soared. There was a feeling of prosperity, entrepreneurship and construction. Investments flowed in, including money from Jews who not only sought profits, but also wanted to send a message. Many Jews from various countries even chose to invest in homes in Israel. A new model of immigration was formed in which people divide their lives between Israel and their country of origin. In an era of multicultural interests and diverse identities, Israeliness and Jewishness are expanding and diversifying. There is nothing wrong with that. No less important, it seemed during the past year that all our feelings of frustration and anxiety were also being experienced by Jewish communities throughout the world. The arguments that tore us apart shook them as well. Granted, the reverse trend also appeared - Jews, mainly young ones, drifted away from Israel and even felt estranged from the state that was drawing fire from every direction. However, here too there is a paradox that seemed to grow with Israel's hardships in its 59th year. Like classic anti-Semitism, which did not allow even the assimilated, estranged Jew to escape his Jewishness, today's anti-Zionism, which does not depend on any policy, is confusing and infuriating - and threatening Jews regardless of their opinions. While Israel, with its foolish policy throughout 40 years of occupation, managed to crack and split Jewish solidarity, the burning hatred toward the country is now increasing the general Jewish solidarity and sense of mutual responsibility. This is not blind support for the State of Israel and its government. The days of blind support are long over, and just as well. Public opinion polls and direct contact demonstrate that half of the nation living outside Israel is no less sober and critical than Israelis themselves about the state's behavior. Most of them, both those living in Israel and abroad, are yearning for a day in which the two-state solution is implemented. The Jews' solidarity, support, investments, immigration - and their dependence on us and our dependence on them - merely increase Israelis' historic responsibility to ensure that their country finally finds a way to live in peace with its neighbors, so that it may fulfill its Zionist destiny. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Acid attack IDF soldier loses eye after Palestinian woman throws acid in his face. Obama's tribute Obama lauds Olmert, says he's looking forward to working with successor.   1.   Look in the mirror 00:21  |  Gili 24/04/07   2.   Zionism 01:05  |  Paul Fingerhut 24/04/07   3.   Dispossessing the Palestinians 01:38  |  Zeje 24/04/07   4.   tell me who is your friend.. 02:50  |  Nemo 24/04/07   5.   Zionism 02:55  |  Matthew 24/04/07   6.   What planet is this from? 03:10  |  Julian 24/04/07   7.   To Paul Fingerhut 03:14  |  Dovy 24/04/07   8.   Israel bashing 03:34  |  Paul 24/04/07   9.   #4 Is great 05:27  |  Phil G 24/04/07   10.   Whether Jews are in the diaspora or Israel..... 05:28  |  Sherman 24/04/07   11.   The true sentiments of Haaretz 06:03  |  Ronen 24/04/07   12.   isiaiah 06:18  |  despondency 24/04/07   13.   What`s sauce for the goose ...... 07:32  |  Cynic #2 24/04/07   14.   INDEPENCE DAY 09:41  |  PAEULI 24/04/07   15.   Israel 10:19  |  David 24/04/07   16.   You wish! 10:41  |  Shlomo 24/04/07   17.   Paul #2 Zionism 11:30  |  JW 24/04/07   18.   Haaretz has failed 12:06  |  sptz 24/04/07   19.   Israel and her problems 14:55  |  Albert Fischer 24/04/07   20.   Crocodile`s tears by Ha`artez 19:03  |  Fortuna Benmayor 24/04/07   21.   Israelis losing sight of God`s promises(?) think 22:16  |  Virginia 24/04/07   22.   Star of David 15:42  |  Mikael 23/09/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: Erasing Ahmadinejad from the map Responses: 64 Poll: 28% of Palestinians back idea of joint state with Jordan Responses: 24 IDF officer kills terrorist who rammed car into crowd in Jerusalem Responses: 167 ANALYSIS / Another attack in Jerusalem - get ready for more Responses: 83 Iraqi MP may face death sentence for Israel visit Responses: 56 More Headlines 15:06 'My son's no terrorist, it was a car accident' 15:06 ANALYSIS / Another attack in Jerusalem, get ready for more 16:28 Barak urges fast track for demolition of terrorists' homes 15:53 Iran President blames U.S. military actions for global economic collapse 13:36 Erasing Ahmadinejad from the map 13:03 Poll: 28% of Palestinians back idea of joint state with Jordan 11:18 iMania: Eager Israelis descend on country's first Apple Store 14:53 Some protesters make U.S. anti-Ahmadinejad rallies into anti-Obama events 13:23 30 years of peace, but no one wants to be Israel's ambassador to Egypt 14:46 Protesters say they'll set sail again to Gaza from Cyprus Wed. 09:03 Security cabinet to discuss rise in terror threats facing Israelis abroad 01:01 Labor lays out demands for joining Livni coalition 11:47 Israel ranks 33rd of 180 nations on global corruption index 11:13 Egypt: Reports saying hostages were released are unconfirmed, imprecise Previous Editions Select Day 22 sep 21 sep 19 sep 18 sep 17 sep 16 sep 15 sep 14 sep 12 sep 11 sep 10 sep 09 sep

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