Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Patience is a Source of Strength

Danny Gordis is very worried about the looming Iranian nuclear threat, and explains why he expects Israel will attack unless the Americans do. Not because Iran will try to bomb Israel, but because the very ability to make the threat will send us back to pre-Zionist powerlessness which will cause Israel to crumble.

I hope lots of people read the article, and take it seriously.

Alas, for what it's worth, I disagree. I don't see millions of Israelis, or even tens of thousands of the brightest and bestest streaming out of Israel to plushy jobs in America merely because the Iranians have nuclear weapons. I can easily see the sense in which a preemptive attack on Iran's nuclear capabilities can be justified, for the potentially far greater number of lost lives such an attack might prevent. I spent some of my childhood however in an American city which knew it was targeted by Soviet missiles, and don't remember anyone moving to New Zealand because of it.

The Jews waited a very (very very) long time to come home, and as a group they're not about to be chased out, certainly not because of a troublesome spot of adversity.

6 comments:

rashkov said...

There is a long line of middle eastern nations waiting to get nukes after Iran. What then?

Bryan said...

To be fair, no Soviet missile (or missile of any kind, really) has ever fallen on an American city, while thousands of missiles have fallen on Israel, so I think the perceived level of threat is vastly different.

Unknown said...

I would rather die then leave Israel. Actually, nuclear weapons make death more certain so it's easier. I mean go back to exile??? No thanks!

Zach said...

Consider further that an Iranian attack on Israel will probably mean an American attack on Iran. So it's quite likely that no matter where you are you'll be killed (sooner or later) in the event of a nuclear war.

Barry Meislin said...

...except that the current US administration is no ally of the Zionist Entity.

I suspect that a more realistic scenario would go something like this: Iran would make noises about nuking Israel unless Israel stops building in the territories (a reasonable request, n'est-ce pas? that all reasonable---and progressive---people can understand, every single one of them), or or eliminates the settlements entirely (in for a penny in for a pound, why not?)---or as long as we're "bargaining" that Israel merely agree to leave the Middle East....

...while Obama might say something like this: "You know, I tried to help you guys out; but you dudes would just not listen to me...." Etc. Etc. (More in sorrow than in anger, no doubt. No doubt at all....)

Psst. It's called, "tag team"!!

Unknown said...

Zach: I don't really care what the U.S. would do, if Iran is to attack Israel, I would prefer to "go Masada" rather then start a nuclear war. Besides that, I want to die on my ow land, that’s what I came back for.