We are two

The difficulty of Jewish identity is compounded by the distinction between
living in the diaspora and living in Israel. Since I have experienced both,
particularly in the UK and US, and for the last nine years (as well as 3
years previously) in Israel, I think I can give an informed opinion on this.
The obvious problem is that in the diaspora, Jews were and are in a
"dependent" position. They are in many ways powerless to affect their fate,
they must call on other more powerful forces, the French State, the British
police, the American legal system, to protect them. When push comes to
shove and Jews are being attacked and murdered in the streets of Paris,
Brussels, Stockholm, Berlin, there's not much the Jews can do except put out
a hue and cry, "help us!" This is certainly reminiscent of the plight of
the Jews in pre-WWII Europe, whether the anti-Semitism is different now or
not. But when Jews are attacked in Israel then the IDF can react strongly
and actively. They defend the Jewish people of Israel, and have undoubtedly
turned around the vicious terrorist campaign against Israeli citizens.
There is almost no way that Jews in the diaspora can identify fully with
Israel, unless they call themselves Zionists, and then make aliyah. That's
why, while three-quarters of Israelis supported Bush, three-quarters of
American Jews voted for Kerry. There is a fundamental difference in
interests and identity between diaspora Jews and Israelis, notwithstanding
all the slogans ("we are one").
In past Jewish history the emphasis was on Jewish victimhood, we were the
victims and the surrounding Christians (and Muslims) were our tormentors and
killers. This situation made us more sympathetic with the underdog in
Western society, the Negroes, the immigrants, the women. It was both for
altruistic and selfish reasons that the Jews in the West were predominantly
liberal. Now even though the situation has fundamentally changed, diaspora
Jews still think of themselves in the same way, basically as victims. So
they vote with the liberals, even those who are biased against Israel (and
I'm not saying that Kerry is). While in Israel there is a Jewish minority
that identifies with the Palestinians, but the majority don't think of
themselves as helpless victims and are prepared to fight.
Here's another difference. Israelis are very aware of the Arabs living
amongst us. They are in every walk of life, as students, doctors, taxi
drivers, shoppers in our streets and our Malls. But, no-one bothers them, we
accept their legitimate presence here. Unfortunately the situation is not
reciprocated. However, maybe things are changing again. In a poll issued
last week, for the first time in at least 5 years, Palestinians in Gaza and
the West Bank voted over 50% to accept the idea of a negotiated treaty with
Israel. This is maybe the effect of the defeat of the aims of the intifada
and the death of Arafat.
Another difference, in the IDF there are Arab soldiers. Last week 5 were
killed in an explosion in Rafah, when an extensive tunnel was blown up with
over 1 ton of TNT adjacent to an IDF outpost. Four Bedouin soldiers were
killed and one Israeli Arab from northern Israel. At his funeral no Arab
said anything that could be interpreted as supporting the IDF or the Israeli
State, but nevertheless there are Arabs fighting in the IDF and speaking
fluent Hebrew, more than most diaspora Jews do.
One could philosophize that Israeli Arabs have the greater identity crisis,
being like the Jews in the diaspora. But, this only highlights the
difference in identity between diaspora and Israeli Jews, we are indeed two.
Given this it would be a major mistake if diaspora Jews were given any say
in how Israel is governed or run (as has been suggested), and from my
experience, Israel would be making a serious error if it allowed its future
to be dependent on the opinions or actions of the diaspora, and particularly
American Jews.