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Mixed Feelings

Monday, 11 May 2009

Rabbi Dow Marmur reflects on the events of the last six months and contemplates what the future may hold.

Between December 22, 2008, when we arrived in Israel, and today, I’ve written over 80 pieces that I’ve inflicted on many of you. They amount to some 50 000 words, virtually all about the current situation in Israel. I’m almost embarrassed. My excuse is that this has been a momentous period in the country’s history: the Gaza war; a new government; a new US administration; investigations into the comings and goings of politicians suspected of financial or sexual misbehavior; the economic meltdown; and, of course, the drama of the continued captivity of Gilad Shalit.

I write in an effort to formulate my own thoughts on what’s happening around me, but I’m happy to share the reflections with others. Recipients have been very generous in their responses. Thus in the course of these months a number of people asked to be added to my mailing list. Having been alerted to it by previous recipients, they now wanted to be among them. The pieces are also said to appear on four websites in four countries. It’s flattering to have one’s doodles considered by some to be more than doodles.

You won’t be hearing from me in the next few months, for we hope to spend them in Canada. Though I’ll still have opinions about Israel, I won’t feel that I know what’s really going on when I’m not there. The time ahead is likely to be crucial for Israel. Here are some of the issues that are bound to make headlines. I’ll observe from afar:

• The relationship with the United States. It’ll be very different from what it was in the Bush-Sharon/Olmert days. I’m among those who believe that increased US pressure may help Israeli politicians to face facts and at least appear to promote peace.

• The Palestinians, like the Israelis, are bound to be the beneficiaries. Netanyahu and Lieberman are right that little has been achieved in the past. They imply that they can deliver more in the future. Once they tone down the rhetoric and Lieberman controls his bluster, they might. That’s what President Peres seems to have been saying.

• Iran. Part of the relationship with the US will determine whether or not Israel will attack Iran to prevent it from getting nuclear weapons, or at least delay the inevitable. I hope that Obama will find a better way than war, but that’s not certain. The days of Israel’s Six Day War triumph and the Entebbe bravado have long passed.

• The economy. Some say that Israel is in a better position than other countries to weather the storm. The Thatcherism that characterized Netanyahu’s previous government is defunct. Has he modified his economic dogmatism as he’s said to have changed in his political intransigence? Will he narrow the appalling gap between rich and poor?

• Corruption and its consequences. Will Lieberman be charged by the police with financial irregularities and therefore have to leave the government? Will that kill the present coalition and force a new election? If by then Olmert will have been cleared of police charges and of cancer, he may run again for the leadership of Kadima.

• The Labor Party. Ehud Barak’s high-minded ambition to protect the country as its Minister of Defense is breaking up the party he still leads. End of an era?

The primary reasons for my mixed feelings about leaving Israel, even for a time: not being near the family here and not being in Jerusalem. It’ll be hard, even though we’ve come to enjoy living in two worlds. When asked where I really want to be, I paraphrase and answer frivolously: “In Jerusalem, of course – when I’m in Toronto.”

Rabbi Dow Marmur lives in Jerusalem and Toronto. He served as rabbi at two synagogues; SWESRS in Essex and Alyth in North West London before working in Canada.