February 2, 2001

"Declining Tourism - An Arafat Triumph"

On the streets of Jerusalem, Jeremiah's words resonated in my ears: "O how the city that was once so populace remained lonely like a widow." (Eicha 1:1) A city that once teemed  with tourists from all parts of the world was empty except for a few parents visiting their children, some Christians and Israelis who came to take advantage of unbelievably low rates at Jerusalem's magnificent hotels.  From Eilat in the South to Haifa and Tiberias in the North, tourism has come to a grinding halt, an undeserved victory for Arafat and his mobs.

"But, Rabbi, it's just not safe," is the seemingly logical argument of those who were taking their vacations aboard cruise ships and in many exotic places around the world.  Under the circumstances, Israel's streets and major tourist sights will become severely unsafe for the same reasons that streets in New York and in every American city are far more dangerous than any in Israel.  In America, as an example, we have abandoned the streets to muggers and hooligans because we chose to be cloistered in our homes rather than visiting friends and family, and at home, we consider ourselves safe with dead-bolts and latched chains, alarms and iron grates on our windows.  Avoiding the streets in our rightful freedom to traverse them has made them safe havens to crime. 

Abandoning Israel at a time when it needs encouragement, moral support and the presence of especially Jews from all parts of the world is outrageously wrong.  I may be over-stating it, but to the best of my knowledge, thank G-d, not one tourist has been a victim of Arab terror.  Our failure to come to our brothers' and sisters' aid is an unwarranted crushing blow. 

Several weeks ago, I made my 64th trip to Israel.  Several good friends called to ask, "Is it safe for you to go now?" Though I appreciated their concern, I explained that it was far more dangerous not to go.  Failing to come to Israel at this time is tantamount to what happened during the Holocaust when American Jews knew what was being done to the Jews of Europe. Rather than speaking out, they allowed themselves to be intimidated by Roosevelt and others to silence.   Thank G-d, there is no Holocaust today, but there is potential for grave danger.  If Israel's people become demoralized by unjustified fear, we will contribute to Arafat's scheme. 

The Palestinian gang knows that on an even playing field, they will lose. Israel's military power is greater than that of all the Arab armies in the Middle East.  But there is a weapon in the Arab arsenal far more dangerous than rocks and guns. . .this same intimidation, the use of fear.  There was a time during the cold war when Arafat and his henchmen could play one super power over the other, but since the crumbling of the Iron Curtain and the collapse of Soviet hegemony in the Middle East, Arabs have been left compelled to deal with the world's only super power, the United States.  But when American Jews surrender to Arafat's intimidating shootings in the West Bank and Gaza, it grants an undeserved victory to today's Nazis, the Jew-hating tyrants who rule the Palestinian Arabs. 

We boarded a flight to Eilat, en route to a two-day meeting.  The Arkia flight was filled with Israelis, mostly young families taking advantage of the incredibly low rates at the luxurious resorts in Israel's most southern city.   We were the only non-Israelis on board.  A young woman holding an infant sitting in front of us turned around and said, "You are American Jews–I thank you and so does my baby son for demonstrating faith in his future."     

A trip to Israel today is an investment in the destiny of the Jewish people.  Our presence upon the soil of the land we hold sacred and most especially in Jerusalem from which we dare not part, is a powerful response to the rocks and bullets aimed at Jews.     

Passionate discourses on Israeli politics resonate on American streets.  It's empty rhetoric, bereft of merit and meaning.  Those who really "give a damn" need to get off the soap boxes and get themselves on a plane to Israel.  A destitute and abandoned Israeli populace is vulnerable to any agreement, and worse, to surrender.  Please, I beg you, not to tell me that Israel is in your prayers.  Failing to visit Israel at this time is no different than a male reciting shema on a weekday morning without tefillin, which in Hallacha is considered giving false testimony; without the deed, even the most sacred words are lies. 

And those who under any circumstances will not visit should contribute to the many organizations sponsoring solidarity or youth missions enabling someone without the means to participate.  I might add that in my many trips to Israel, this last was by far the most meaningful and enjoyable.  On each visit, the country becomes more beautiful than ever and its diverse people more Jewish. 

Our Shabbos was in Eilat where we davened, prayed, at a Sephardi shul.  I felt more inspired than ever, but missed that very special feeling that comes with spending a Sabbath in Jerusalem.  When the Chazzan came to that stanza in Lecha Dodi and repeated the words, "O Sanctuary of the King, Royal city–Rise from your ruins and your despair, Too long have you dwelled in the valley of weeping," the Congregation sang louder and stronger.  The tune to the words was not Sephardi, but Hassidic, and the old men joined the younger ones in a dancing circle.  As a tear fell from my eyes, I knew that there was an indomitable spirit caused by the Shechina, the Divine presence among those who believe that it's time for Jews everywhere to jump for joy and stand up in any of Israel's cities and streets and tell friend and foe alike that we who have dwelled in the valley of weeping have risen from our despair of old.  You can feel the same.  Book your next trip to Israel.

Shabbat Shalom