The end of a generation
A lot of sayings are baloney. But here is a generation that has come and gone, and there is no replacement.
By Yoel MarcusIn the world of ratings, one would say that the death and burial of Ezer Weizman got some pretty extraordinary coverage. Many TV viewers were practically glued to the screen, tears wetting their cheeks as his body was lowered into the grave at the cemetery in Or Akiva. Not because he was a president, or because he was a defense minister, or because he was a help to the visionaries of peace with Egypt, Menachem Begin and Moshe Dayan, more through his bubbly enthusiasm than anything else. They wept because the man was such a character.
As a soldier he planned the air strike that devastated Egypt and Syria in 1967, searing the fact that Israel was not going to disappear by force into the consciousness of the Arab world. From that time forth, no matter what he was up to - gung-ho Herutnik, high-minded peacenik or playful rascal - he always spoke to the people in a language they could understand.
Weizman's passing has left us with gloom because we have lost yet another leader of that dying breed known as the 1948 generation - a generation whose members have passed down the torch of leadership since the days of the founders, in the hope that someday Israel would be a country without wars, a country with recognized borders. In short, a normal country.
Everyone knows the old adage about cemeteries being full of people who thought they were irreplaceable. A lot of sayings are baloney. But here is a generation that has come and gone, and there is no replacement.
The relay race that began with the giants of the Zionist movement, and was kept going by the 1948 generation, was cut short by Netanyahu and Barak. Both were brilliant, ambitious and full of themselves, but they weren't built for long-distance running. These champions of the gimmick thought they could fool the world with unconventional shortcuts that dragged the Oslo process launched by Yitzhak Rabin into an odyssey of intifada and terror.
As these creatures from outer space crashed, one after another, the country returned to the relay race tradition, with team members passing the torch in chronological order, determined by age and standing. Sharon and Peres - 77 and 82 - are comrades-in-arms. They go far back. From the day Peres introduced the young captain Sharon to Ben-Gurion, they have had more in common with each other than with their parties.
These last two Musketeers, all that remain now that Weizman has left politics and life, are facing serious problems with their parties. Peres is fighting a desperate battle for his personal standing as chairman of Labor, and Sharon is fighting a desperate battle with the extremists, rebels and opponents of disengagement.
Peres and Sharon are the only surviving sons and heirs of Ben-Gurion, although each of them has strayed from the path on occasion. Throughout their careers, they have been both partners and rivals in hawkishness. They have also been allies in coalitionary shtick. In the days of the reprisal raids, they were on the same side. In the days of the Oslo Accord they fought one another. In old age, however, the two remaining veterans of the 1948 generation have found themselves heading in the same direction. Now, on their final historic journey, they are propping each other up.
Peace with Egypt succeeded only because Begin agreed to give back every last inch of occupied Sinai. It was then we discovered what we know now - that borders recognized by the world are the bedrock of any agreement. The world will not accept unilateral border changes, no matter what country or occupying regime initiates them. Iraq brought the Gulf War on itself by its attempted annexation of Kuwait. What the Likud rebels and the settlers calling for civil disobedience don't seem to understand is that Israel, without recognized, agreed upon and secure borders, is a country in mortal danger.
Disengagement from Gaza will happen. Even if Sharon denies that there will be another round of disengagement in the West Bank, it is clear as day that the U.S. administration will push for Stage B and Stage C. Because the alternative is a bloody intifada the likes of which we haven't seen yet.
In the same way that Ben-Gurion took the irreversible step of declaring the establishment of the state, Begin took the irreversible step of signing a peace agreement with Egypt, and Rabin took the irreversible step of endorsing the Oslo Accord, the Sharon-Peres duo, with their combined age of 159, must take the irreversible step that will compel the future leaders of this country to keep going - no matter what the extremists and crazies say - until Israel's establishment is complete and the state has permanent, occupation-free borders.
Why Facebook Connect?
Comment on Haaretz.com articles with your Facebook login, and share your thoughts on your own wall.
- Latest
- Most Viewed
- Most Rated
- Open all
US recognizes Israel`s claim to Jerusalem. 2005 Sheikh Met!..." And that means exactly diddly-squat
If Israel recognizes the '49 armistace lines as the final borders (and then why not the UN partition of '48 for that matter) then what happens to Ramat Eshkol, Mt. Scopus, Ramot, Gush Etzion and Latrun. And if Israel demands "rectifications" then why not including Ariel and Maale Adumin? Where is the proof that there is a consensus in the international community and what is the point if part of that consensus is a actual right of return of arab refugees?
A chess analogy of Arab-Israeli conflict 1948-2005. Arabs bungle the opening gambit in 1948. Israel siezes the initiative in the mid game 1967-73, capturing the Arab Queen (Egypt) in 1979. The desperate Arabs counter on the flanks with oil embargo, and terrorist attacts. Arab manuevering fails, and thier position deteriorates even more. Sensing that the game may be lost, the disengenous Arabs offer a draw (Suadi "peace" initiative). Israel wisely ignores the offer, and presses on. With the powerful US Queen at hand, Israel knocks of the remaining Arab pieces one by one, Iraq, Libya, Syria... US recognizes Israel's claim to Jerusalem. 2005 Sheikh Met!
Stupid europeans? yes, we europeans did so many mistakes, but i think we learned from them. WW2 was terrible 4 everyone in europe. Europeans don't hate jewish people...israel just lacks good marketing. I love israel and hope one day i'll move there, and as european and probably naiv enough as we are thinking that peace and dialog must always be the only option, i feel very excited about the way israel is taking. The days of fearing for the future of israel must be left behin...israel will never cease to exist.We europeans will party all night long the day israelis live in peace in their land...i will for sure. By the way...yes we created states that were a mistake...india, pakistan...south america...and...ohhhh...us!!! if i am not wrong, the original people of u.s. were not those big patriots we have here...who were not anything else than greedy europeans stealing land and lives to the natives...thanks. Peace for Israel.
What do you propose Israel should do? Short term? Long term? How would you save Israel?
...for this fine, valuable piece. Yoel Marcus' thoughtful words remind me of the following statement by Ralph Waldo Emerson: "Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them."
What Basil has written is typical of the attitude I found amoung Palestinians I met in over two years living in the west bank of Palestine. If only Israelis had a similar attitude the pain would have ended a long time ago, if Sharon and his cronies were more interested in PEACE and less in REAL ESTATE.
dear david, you are typical of persons who go to print without the faintest idea of the subject! what is Suggest you go out and learn WHY THERE IS A STATE OF ISRAEL AND ITS ORIGINAL CONCEPTS IN MODERN TIMES AND FURTHER WHY THE ARABS FOR 100 YEARS.HAVE NEVER LET IT LIVE IN PEACE . COME BACK IN 6 MONTHS AND WRITE AGAIN!
It is true most Muslim states do not recognize Israel. And prior to 1979/1980 none did, but now at least four Arab states out of twenty two recognize Israel and that includes Morroco, Egypt, Jordan, and Mauritania. Tunisia and Qatar are close, but it depends on what happens between the Palestinians and Israel. There are plenty of Arabs and Jews like you who keep on looking for how bad either the Jews or Arabs are and how the glass is empty...It was convenient for you to ignore that none used to recognize Israel and now some do....
Israelis and Palestinians have a choice either a satisfactory peace or waste precious resources including lives while the rest of the world is keeping to stay ahead. Israel's I.T. has been bouncing back ever since the ceasing of hostilities. Many American Jews pontificate, but some know what I am talking about if they understand pragmatism. The majority of Israelis and Palestinians want peace but they are hampered by naysayers and fanatics in their midst. These are negative people. A lack of faith does not build and invent, it destroys. I am sure we have all seen enough destruction. Should Israel take the approach of wanting to keep as much land as possible and force the Palestinians to sign an intolerable deal. Both our children would pay the price. Both sides are human and the golden rule should apply. Believe it or not, Arab and Israeli hatred of each other is largely influenced by the amount of violence unleashed. It is affected by the leadership of both sides and the way they plan things out. The Arabs are not hell bent on destroying Israel. They want their dignity, civil rights, rights to East Jerusalem, and are under no illusion that Israel exists and that they would have to deal with a peaceful Israel in a peaceful way and show some overtures... And many Arab statesmen are willing to take those steps if the environment is correct for it... Risks exist no matter what.... So doing what is moral for both sides should be attempted..
It's an interesting sentiment to think that Sharon will ever allow a final settlement.The facts on the ground he is so interested in assure that there can not be a peace.When Operation Defensive Shield began he ignored Hamas and destroyed the Palestinian Authority.Why?That is because the PLO had recognized Israel's right to exist and it had committed itself to negoitiations. Sharon has committed himself to avoiding negoitiation at any cost because like a spoilt child he can not have everything he desires if the rules of civilization were to be employed. Sharon and Hamas are opposite sides of the same coin.Both would condemn their own people to an endless conflagration to spite the other.Sharon would love to carry out the genocidal policies the right-wing crazies in this forum are so enamoured of,but he can not behave as he likes he must rule in the real world.Of course he knows that Abbas must deliver the goods or fail.He can be certain that if he keeps the PA too weak to control the terrorists they will eventually rescue him from the terrifying prospect of Peace.
"- a generation whose members have passed down the torch of leadership since the days of the founders, in the hope that someday Israel would be a country without wars, a country with recognized borders. In short, a normal country." It occurred to me that the state of Israel as it has existed until now is a lot like a 6-month premature baby, entubated, constantly requiring life-support, always in danger of not surviving, and never capable of thriving. It is in fact a monster of creation. Then, referring to the last paragraph of the article, I opine that when Israel finally backs off from the Zionist project, acknowledges the right of Palestinians to live as equals, decides to becomes human, only then can it finally leave the incubator and start to live a normal life. Jews and Israelis will all be a lot safer in this world as a result.
You completely refused to understand the real situation, the arabs do not want peace with Israel, they want peace without Israel. Please listen to what the palestinians are saying, 1. the disengagement is a result of the Israelis' fear of the intifada, 2. Jerusalem is the capital of the palestinian state, 3. West Bank is occupied territories, etc. They will claim all the inheritance of Jacob for themselves
"a country that only believes in the bullet and whatever justification it can get out of an old book" Are you refering to USA?
Well, if the world is a whore, that only believes in oil, money, power,...what about a country that only believes in the bullet and whatever justification it can get out of an old book?
Israeli miilitary officers are saying that less than one-half hour after the completion of the disengagement, Kassam rockets, suicide bombings, shoulder fired missiles, and anti-tank weapons will rain on the WestBank, and perhaps Israel proper itself. Whereas the IDF has been able to some extent, to thwart the smuggling of weaponry into the Gaza Strip, and close the 4 roads, and protect the settlers, no such convenience will be capable in the West Bank. Already, leading Palestinians are saying that the disengagement WILL NOT BRING PEACE TO ISRAEL. There is no reason to refute this, based on Palestinian activities, smuggling, etc. Why anyone would suggest that definite borders will be akin to the coming of the Messiah, when the lion will sit down with the lamb, is beyond belief. The Palestinains have done nothing since Oslo 1, to show they are truly interested in peace. How many more Jews must die before someone wakes up? Let's just look at neighboring Iraq for evidence of what lies ahead of us, and US. The US won the war and is losing the peace. If Israel listens to Bush, it is destined for the same outcome. Once the IDF moves out of Gaza, the Jihadists will flock to the area from all over the Arab-Muslim-anti-Israel world. Even now, the smuggling of weaponry is increasing from Egypt, through Israel, to the West Bank. One of these days, Al Qaeda will equip their Muslim allies with dirty bombs, or other WMD. We all know that Iran is 1-2 years away from exploding an atomic bomb, and can (like No. Korea), place a warhead on a missile (aimed at Tel Aviv). The disengagement will simply shift the militant's sphere of operation, from the settlements there, to the West Bank, and parts of Israel. Israel will have to adjust to this new reality. The bottom line is that unless Israel takes firm and resolute action, the situation will go from bad to worse. The disengagement will change the location of settlements, but will not end the Arab plan to complete Hitler's plan of extermination the Jews.
Most Muslim nations do not recognize Israel!
Working with reasonable partners,negotiating a peace that everyone hang there heads high and finding a fair and just solution is still the only way to get a peace that can last. It still can happen. Sharon is working the middle,with great pressure all around and so is Abbas on his side. With support from the great silent centres of Israel,the Palestinians,the Jews of the Diaspora and the United States and other major countries,Sharon and Abbas can pull it off. The very extremes of both sides that wont allow such concilliation should be pushed aside while the silent middles should fight for a just and reasonable solution. All issues should be on the table to solve and maybe not all solved at once but the parameters should be there to start. If the Palestinians are GIVEN or not GIVEN this or that,it cannot help the situation and any peace will be temporary.It wont work that way. Respect is a big ussue.
Working with reasonable partners,negotiating a peace that everyone hang there heads high and finding a fair and just solution is still the only way to get a peace that can last. It still can happen. Sharon is working the middle,with great pressure all around and so is Abbas on his side. With support from the great silent centres of Israel,the Palestinians,the Jews of the Diaspora and the United States and other major countries,Sharon and Abbas can pull it off. The very extremes of both sides that wont allow such concilliation should be pushed aside while the silent middles should fight for a just and reasonable solution. All issues should be on the table to solve and maybe not all solved at once but the parameters should be there to start. If the Palestinians are GIVEN or not GIVEN this or that,it cannot help the situation and any peace will be temporary.It wont work that way. Respect is a big ussue.
LESSON 1 THE WHOLE POINT OF JEWS LIVING IN A MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRY IS TOTALLY AND ABSOLUTELY LOST IF THEY DO NOT CONSTITUTE A RULING AND PERMANENT MAJORITY .LESSON 2 THE SAME COUNTRY NEEDS TO BE A VERY BIG MILITARY POWER TO PROTECT IT S PEOPLE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE ISRAEL. LESSON3 ARABS HAVE HAD 100 YEARS TO BE CITIZENS OF "ISRAEL" THEY HAVE NEVER ACCEPTED A BI- NATIONAL STATE OR INDEED THE EXISTENCE OF A JEWISH STATE. LESSON4 ARABS HAD CHOICE AS RECENTLY AS 2000 AND DECLINED IN FAVOUR OF ANNOTHER ROUND OF TERRORISM.
Don't worry about world recognition. The "world" is a whore. She recognizes money, oil, power,... nothing else. Sharon is doing what is right for his nation. The disengagement from Palestinians, withdrawel from Gaza/Hamastan, and building a defensive border wall. Build Israel, defend it with determination, and the enemy will have no choice but to recognize reality, as most Arab states already have.
Josh-Jewish survival was due to what transpired in the diaspora and the rabbinic response to the national catastrophe of loosing the Temple and our nationhood in Israel. It was the adaption to changed circumstances that made us survive. Israel does not have much more time. Zionism simply does not know how to solve the problem of what to do with another people in your midst. There is the possibility of returning to the vision of the Balfour Declaration and forming a Jewish homeland in Palestine, as one of a number of difference religious communities, it could attempt to overcome the religious fanaticism of Jew and Muslim in the country and become a binational, secular state, where sectarian would not be the defining characteristic of nationhood or it could carry through with Dr. Israel Eldad's solution (the father of present MK Aryeh Eldad) which has deep roots in early zionist philosophy and transfer the entire Arab population to surrounding Arab countries. As for the Jews of the Levant, Zionism created hell for their communities. Zionism need to create a hell for those communities to get them to the new homeland, in their ceaseless attempt to gain the demographic advantage. Remeber the zionist response to Hitler, I think by zionist radical ahimeir, :"germany for the nazis, palestine for the jews."
Yaakov, Your lack of confidence in continued Jewish continuity in Israel is puzzling considering the Jews have managed to survive there for at least 3 millenia. I think we need a little bit more time before one can judge on the sustainability of the very young State of Israel. After all, on the eve of the Six Day War, who knew the outcome? And I am not referring to the resulting "occupation". Nothing less than the existence of the Jews of the Levant was in question, if you recall.
Sharon can't say no to Bush??? Really?? I thought he just did as he twaddled up to the microphone down on the ranch (Bush's, not his)and said that Ma'ale Adumim was there to stay and grow toward Jerusalem and Jericho cutting Palestine in half. Seemed pretty clear. Sharon is used to kol haolam negdeynu. He needs it to breathe. As for the US, well, not to worry. AIPAC, Abe Foxman, Mort Zuckerman, Morton Klein, David Pipes and the rest will get their minions onto Congress and dictate the terms or else. Though they may have lost De Lay who seems to be embroiled with the Rabbis Abramoff and the rabbis Lapin over the scandal in sweatshops in the Marianas.
Why give up land to countries that have no right to exist. What right does Jordan have to exist? Afterall that is Palestine. What right does Saudi Gammorah have to exist? That rightfully is Jordan or another Hashemite Kingdom. Why should Iraq exist and not a Kurdistan? Its just stupid to say internationally recognized borders when those idiot Europeans made up the borders and created new countries that shouldnt have exisited, definitely not in their current form. One of the few countries that did exist before and should, including Judea and Samaria is Israel. I wish people would stop calling it Occupied. That just isnt true based on the Geneva Conventions, nor is there any reason to create a second Palestinian state on it.
It never ceases to amaze me that Yoel Marcus, who seems like an otherwise intelligent man, constantly resorts to ad hominem attacks when dealing with those who disagree with him in the political arena. What is even more suprising is that Haaretz's editorial staff considers it perfectly acceptable. Labelling one's political opposition as "extremists" and "crazies" as opposed to presenting an intelligent counter-argument that deals with devisive issues in a sensitive and meaningful manner is far from righteous and divests the author of any moral authority they sought to claim. In Israel, despite our differences, we are supposed to be brothers. We are supposed, even in disagreement, to treat eachother with dignity, respect, and a hope for internal peace. From reading Mr. Marcus' consistent slams on his fellow Israelis I can only be thankful that I am an only child. With brother's like Yoel, I don't need blood enemies.
There is an old saying about old age being a shipwreck. It was, I think, said of Petain, but later asssociated with de Gaulle himself. The cycle of this conflict always comes back to 1947/1948. The Zionists accepted partition and then committed to a defence of every Jewish settlement, rather than just a laager around the Sharon. This remains the situation today (with Jewish settlemtns placed back on the West Bank). The issue, for the Zionists of those times, is whether the West Bank settlements should be in Palestine or in an enlarged Israel. The answer will probably be a bit of both, aided by a land swap. They have no problems with a Palestinian state with a peace (requires right of return issue conclusion). But after the annexation, Jerusalem will be contentious.
Yoel Marcus is absolutely correct. If the Gaza evacuation succeeds, the "new" Bush Administration will push for further withdrawals from Area "B" and Area "C", which will constitute nearly all of the remaining Jewish communities and settlements in Shomron and Judea (West Bank.) "Daddy" Bush (President Number 41) is now running the show along with Condoleezza Rice, the new Secretary of State. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is no Yitzhak Shamir. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon can not say "NO" to a Bush.
Ezra Weitzman was capable of change. He was capable of admitting he was wrong. And he was graced with an affability totally lacking in the present set in control of the government. He was one of the few, very few, Israelis leaders that was personally liked by Palestinian leaders. Unfortunately, like Abba Eban he was sidelined for some time, due to his refusal to be an ideologue, scandal and finally, ill health. There are none left like him, certainly not Sharon, nor Peres. Marcus speaks about the historic inevitabilty of defined, internationally recognized borders, agreed upon by all parties. Israel will no longer be an occupier. I thin his vision is correct. But I do not think Israel is capable of attaining it. Even if the majority of Israelis are fed up with the present situation, they do not pressure the government like the extremists and crazies (his term) do. Sharon seems to have changed in supporting this disengagement from Gaza and he has egg on his face after promising the colonists there that their colonies were as secure and permanent as Tel Aviv. But this change is illusory. He is merely asking the colonists and his right wing cronies to hold off for a time, take a pause, until he hankers down in defending the line over the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Now, I far it is too late to return to what the world would recognize as international boundaries. The right wing extremeists that have been carefully cultivated and coddled over the last 37 years will destroy the state before the see any retreat from the occupied territories in what they feel to be their biblical heartland.
I saw a movie where wolves show submission by exposing their throats. The dominant wolf quite graciously responds by not biting the vulnerable neck. That won't work with Israel. Even if we show our submission and grovel on the ground as Marcus suggests we will get no mercy from either our arab neighbors nor the international community. True we will thereby avoid the "mortal danger" but not to our benefit.
mr. marcus' column is a touching and righteous piece. he managed well and in a comprehensible way to put 57 years of history in a nutshell. by this he showed clearly the present problems of the state. however, he is not stuck to these problems but shows a way and builds a well-constructed bridge for future generations. so, despite all problems there's hope, nevertheless. mr. marcus, thank you for this wise and responsible and well-thought piece. i wish you that you will live and see what not only weizman wished to see, but obviously you, too: the completing of israel's establishment within permanent, occupation-free borders and peace with her neighbours.
This article makes me happy. Since I started reading the articles of Yoel Marcus (many years ago) I found that he was very sensitive of the feelings of the majority of Israelis. When the bombs went of in the buses, his anger and feeling of vengeance was typical for all Israelis at that moment. Like the typical Israeli, his support has always kept swinging between embarrasment and (silent) strong doubts about the Israeli occupation policies on the one hand and on the other side the acceptance of the formal Israeli dogmas of 'first let them end terror and only then we can talk with the Palestinians', the need for 'punishing' the whole Palestinian people for the terror, and the racist stick-and-carrot policy that Israelis always thought was necessary (which was in pactise nothing more then a roadblock-bullet-land-annexation-policy) So, if Marcus tells us that he feels that the only solution for Israel's mess, is the withdrawal from all of the occupied territories, then I must conclude that today the majority of Israelis is ready to REALLY do so. Of course, it will take a few years and a few thousand of innocent Israeli and Palestinian deaths until it will really come to factual withdrawal, but the main thing is that clearly more and more Israelis draw the only logical conclusion that I believe can be made: getting the hell out of all the occupied territories. The Compass is again swinging in the good direction!