2008 Woodie Awards
The Flint of Ideas
Abraham (Avi) Narrow-Tilonsky
Issue date: 3/8/05 Section: Opinion
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The Jewish People historically have had competing ideological positions and approaches. From the Mishnaic disputes of Shammai and Hillel, to the difference in the perspectives of the Hassidim and their opponents, the nation of Israel has consistently challenged itself, which has led greater self discovery. Today is no different. The internal disputes are perhaps greater now than ever before with increasing factionalism and labeling. Uniquely, most Jews tend to hold a favorable perception of the State of Israel. In the early days of the State, there was a conflict known as the Altalena Affair which had threatened to tear apart the infant Israeli nation. The peaceful resolution of that crisis raises questions about the persistence of current factionalism on both the Israeli left and right, particularly in the context of a possible Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip.
At the time of the proclamation of the State of Israel, its new official military, the Israel Defense Force (IDF), was founded. Roughly one month later, the Etzel (Irgun Tzvai Leumi/ National Military Organization), a private Jewish militia in the process of being incorporated into the IDF, sailed a ship from Europe called the Altalena, which contained 900 Jewish refugees and various armaments. As the newfound State struggled to repel five invading Arab armies, the ship neared the Tel Aviv port. The IDF, under command of David Ben Gurion, demanded the handover of all of the weapons from the Altalena. Menachem Begin, then in charge of the Etzel, refused to give up the cargo. Ben Gurion fearing a power struggle that would tear apart the Israeli society, ordered the IDF to sink the ship. A total of sixteen Etzel and three IDF fighters were killed. Despite the attack, Begin ordered his men to refrain from returning fire. The situation calmed and a civil war was averted. Menachem Begin saw the importance of forming a cohesive society and defending Israel. He consequently swayed his movement towards becoming the political party known as Herut. The Jewish State moved on to other issues beyond the threat of a civil war. This prototype solution begs the question why today's leaders have thrown caution to the wind. Tensions are increasing. Anti-disengagement figures are calling for the refusal of military and government orders, and the pro-disengagement voices are claiming that the opposition is planning an all out civil war. The rhetoric is becoming increasingly severe. Why are today's leaders not able to restrain their convictions for the good of the Jewish nation?
At the time of the proclamation of the State of Israel, its new official military, the Israel Defense Force (IDF), was founded. Roughly one month later, the Etzel (Irgun Tzvai Leumi/ National Military Organization), a private Jewish militia in the process of being incorporated into the IDF, sailed a ship from Europe called the Altalena, which contained 900 Jewish refugees and various armaments. As the newfound State struggled to repel five invading Arab armies, the ship neared the Tel Aviv port. The IDF, under command of David Ben Gurion, demanded the handover of all of the weapons from the Altalena. Menachem Begin, then in charge of the Etzel, refused to give up the cargo. Ben Gurion fearing a power struggle that would tear apart the Israeli society, ordered the IDF to sink the ship. A total of sixteen Etzel and three IDF fighters were killed. Despite the attack, Begin ordered his men to refrain from returning fire. The situation calmed and a civil war was averted. Menachem Begin saw the importance of forming a cohesive society and defending Israel. He consequently swayed his movement towards becoming the political party known as Herut. The Jewish State moved on to other issues beyond the threat of a civil war. This prototype solution begs the question why today's leaders have thrown caution to the wind. Tensions are increasing. Anti-disengagement figures are calling for the refusal of military and government orders, and the pro-disengagement voices are claiming that the opposition is planning an all out civil war. The rhetoric is becoming increasingly severe. Why are today's leaders not able to restrain their convictions for the good of the Jewish nation?