Let the Arab World Look to Israel




For the last two weeks we have been watching images of the Arab world on fire both literally and figuratively. The fires of revolution are changing the Arab world in the blink of an eye- governments are falling and old governments are in disarray. What started as a wild mob in Tunisia inspired the would-be reformers of Egypt. Protests are spreading through the Middle East and we are left wondering what the scene will be when the smoke clears. We hear cries for democracy but wonder what “democracy” will look like in countries in which Islamists and secularized Arabs will fight for control.

The events in Egypt remind us just how much these events could impact Americans. A feared interruption in the Suez Canal could bring our oil-based economy to a halt. An Islamic government would have access to the millions of dollars worth of arms that we have given Egypt. Needless to say, these popular revolutions could also put Israel at risk. (Although there may be a temporary upside- if the Arab world is fighting with itself maybe Israel will be a little safer!) One thing is clear- we are seeing the order of things changing in the Arab world- old ideas are dying, new ones are replacing them for better or worse and, yes, way too early to answer that one.

I would like to make one humble suggestion to the Arab world that is about to tear itself apart in search of a new identity. Extremes don’t work—look at Iran- a Moslem country ruled by Islamic law that is brutal and oppressive. Iranians are afraid to talk, to speak out, and to seek freedom. If the newly re-created Arab world does not want to sink into the black hole of Fundamentalist Islam (as I am sure many people do not) I ask them to look at their neighbor Israel.

All of you who have been to Israel have seen the split personality of our homeland. The very religious and the very secular live side by side. Sometimes they hate each other. Sometimes they fight each other. Sometimes it is hard to believe they are brothers! Nonetheless, Israel is one of the most creative countries on the planet. A totally religious Israel would not work- nor would a totally secular Israel. It is this strange mixture of secular Zionism and religious Zionism that makes things work.

Could the Arab world learn this lesson? In the Arab world a lot of people seem to only see black and white- one extreme or the other with two sides at war to reshape Arab society. If such extremes can be avoided the entire planet will benefit! Terrorism, suicide bombers, and jihadists can only be nurtured in a certain kind of intellectual environment. They have a harder time growing in an open society where there is free speech and thought. That is what the Arab world needs to learn from Israel. I am no dreamer- I know many want an Islamist society with the destruction of Israel and America at the top of the wish list. There are others, however, who are tired of violence, who don’t want to raise their children to kill others, who want peace. To them I say, look to Israel. Look to a society that can embrace both the secular and the religious vision of its people.