It seems to me that there are two fundamental points that are ignored in the public debate. Firstly, Israel is the sole democratic country in a region dominated by brutal dictatorships. If any liberal westerner emigrated to these dictatorships and attempted to exercise the right to freedom of speech, religion and other human rights, they would probably be murdered (in Israel, however, they would be welcome).
This is demonstrated, in fact, by the second point, which is a historical one: it wasn't Israel that violated the UN borders and invaded her neighbours. It was the Arab states. These countries invaded Israel in the three defining wars of her history (in 1948, 1967 and 1973), with the aim of driving the Jews into the sea and seizing their land forever. On these three occasions, Israel was fighting defensive wars against superior powers bent on genocide. It so happened that, despite the odds, Israel was able to emerge from these conflicts victorious and beat her enemies back into their own lands, which resulted in those portions of territory -- strategically important territory -- falling under Israeli control.
This history is so commonly de-emphasised in the mainstream UK debate that most members of the public remain largely unaware of it. A common misconception is that the Jews invaded Palestine, drove out the indigenous people, and set up their own country there. Nothing could be further from the truth. But this is the narrative that has become popular folklore.
This should be seen in the context of the evolving foreign policy of the coalition government, which is distancing itself from Israel in order to curry favour with the oil-rich Arab states. Of course every country must act in its own interests, but this move -- which puts financial concerns at the heart of foreign policy -- seems particularly cynical. (So much for rich Jews having all the power.)
So this is why I decided to set up this blog. I have no agenda other than to put a fair, frank and thorough case for Israel to the UK public. Thanks for tuning in, and I look forward to launching the blog in earnest come January 1st.
Best wishes,
G4I
