Memorial Day / Reflections of an American Jew in Israel

Ha'aretz ^ | 28/04/2009 | Elliott Antman

[forkinsocket]

Being in Israel as it commemorates Memorial Day is something I would recommend for any one of my fellow Diaspora Jews.

One needs no more than to walk down the streets of Tel Aviv or pick up the local newspaper to understand the somber feeling that fills this tiny country on the Mediterranean.

There is no loud music to be heard, no picnics at the beach, and no Memorial Day sales at the mall. In talking with Israelis, there is a profound sense of introspection and hopefulness for what the future will bring.

It is difficult to find anyone in Israel who has not been affected by the death of a loved one or friend in the years-old Arab-Israeli conflict. This contributes to the disconnect between Diaspora Jews and those living in Israel. As an American Jew, I am grateful to experience this holiday from the Israeli perspective.

A Jew living in Israel has a much different concept of sacrifice than a Jew living in the United States.

For the last two generations, Americans have not fought a war in which the threat of losing their country was imminent.

Since my parents' generation faced war, the sacrifice of American soldiers has been shrouded in controversy over whether or not soldiers died while truly defending our freedoms.

From Korea in the 1950's to the current war in Iraq, nation-wide support of the mission has been hard to come by.

This frame of reference is entirely alien to Israel.

Had Israel truly lost any war since 1948, there would be no Israel to speak of right now. The responsive nature of most of its military campaigns leads to broad support by the Israeli populace.

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