Sunday, January 20, 2008

The Lions Den

I found something good in the newspaper. His name is Ron Prosor. He is the new Israeli ambassador to the UK. He recently spoke at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies. It was organized by the British Zionist Organization. Students arrived in kafiyyeh headresses and questions at the ready. So I loved that at the opening an announcement was made that the ambassador said that the tougher and harder hitting the questions the better.

They asked the usual questions. Questions accusing Israel of war crimes. Questions that put Menachem Begin and the Irgun on equal ground with Hamas. The article did not give his replies. A shame. But I guess he was able to answer because someone asked him if he actually believed what he was saying. That is a question that comes from frustration. I hope it was frustration because he was able to answer the questions without hesitation.

Most of those students see it in over simplified terms of David versus Goliath. They like to put it in terms they already know so they make the conflict fit the apartheid of South Africa. Its easier that way but it is way off the mark. Hopefully they will take with them one thing that Prosor said. He said "Israel is a democracy under attack that is dealing with difficulties that no other country is facing."

You have to love the guy who in the lions den did not back down as he also told his audience that Jerusalem shall remain the capital of Israel forever. I only can hope that more ambassadors will take his cue and fill the void by meeting with people who don't support Israel. As the article said, if we don't than our place will be filled by speakers against Israel.

Submitted by Carol

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