The Middle East is one of the two most unsettling regions. The other is Africa. But who among those who really count care about Africa? It is worth an occasional pathetic picture on the news and the report of another human disaster, but little more than a charitable campaign, a song, and a few platitudes about not doing enough. The Middle East is the heartland of Islam, oil and gas. All those get more than some clucking of our collective tongues. While some of us do what we can to shore up our defenses, others do what they can to placate the faithful.
The problems worth bothering with spill over national boundaries, or even the region, in ways that should worry lots of us.
Prominent are the Sunni- Shiia splits in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, and a few other places; the Kurdish issue that may begin in Iraq but hovers over Turkey and elsewhere; the ethnic and tribal conflicts in Afghanistan that provide the basis for Al Quaida and all that means; the Arab-Muslim rampages against Africans, Christians, and Pagans in Sudan; secular-Islamic conflicts where they are especially tense as in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Palestine, and Lebanon; and unabsorbed Palestinians in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and some other places.
Do not forget Israel. Its existence in sacred space serves those who wish to distract restive hoards from local abominations.
There are also several million unabsorbed migrants in Western Europe, including those who are talking about the reconquest of Andalusia. Will they keep the tourist signs in the Juderia of Cordoba?
What about the moderate Arab states? One Jewish friend traveled to Saudi Arabia as part of a professional mission. She had a thrilling experience. When asked if she was candid about her background on the visa application, she responded:
"No. They would not let us in unless we were not truthful on our applications. . . I had promised my family and the people with whom I was traveling that I would keep my Jewishness to myself...and though they all agreed that I could ask questions, they asked me please to not engage in dialogue.as that was not why we were there."
I understand my friend. "Thou shall not bear false witness" cannot be an absolute when Jews want to travel in the Middle East. However, we should not overlook this and similar incidents. One of the best friends of the West insists on being be Judenrein, except for Henry Kissinger and a few important others. The last time I looked, there was a Jordanian law indicating a death penalty for anyone selling property to one of us.
The Middle East is not all bad. Spring is well along. There is a flowery hillside a few steps from my front door. From my balcony I see sheep and goats munching on grass that looks luscious after the winter rains.
May you all have a Passover that is appropriate to your tastes.
Posted by Ira Sharkansky at March 29, 2007 05:28 AM