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Irish Government Should Reject Bill to Boycott Israeli Goods from the West Bank
(The Journal-Ireland) Israeli Ambassador Ophir Kariv - What could be perceived as a just and well-intentioned bill is, in fact, threatening to make Ireland the most extreme anti-Israel, although not pro-Palestinian, country outside Iran and the Middle East. As a foreign ambassador, I wholly respect the Irish parliamentary process. However, as the Ambassador of the State of Israel, which is specifically (and solely) targeted by this bill, it is my duty to sound alarm bells on the deficiencies of the bill and explain what it really means. Supporting Palestinians by assisting in capacity and institution building in fields such as democracy, economy, trade, and innovation does not mean one is anti-Israeli. On the contrary - one may find Israel a willing partner in many such endeavors, as shown, for example, by the list of infrastructure projects for Gaza which Israel has identified and presented to potential international partners. However, the clear line between supporting Palestinians and becoming anti-Israeli is a thin one and unfortunately one that is being crossed all too often. Anyone who has studied the history of the Jewish people, read the Bible, or is acquainted with the past of Judea and Samaria (the West Bank) knows that these areas are the cradle of the Jewish people. For over two thousand years, exiled Jews yearned to return to this land and when they did, they re-established communities across the Land of Israel. Of course, one cannot ignore the presence today of about two million Palestinians in the West Bank, who have their own national aspirations. Israel recognizes that and consecutive Israeli governments have been working for a solution based on mutual recognition and direct negotiations. In essence, the sponsors of the bill ignore all of those facts and complexities and suggest that Jews have no rights whatsoever in their own birthplace. Furthermore, the bill says that anyone who thinks otherwise and dares act differently, i.e., trading in Jewish goods or services from those areas, might find himself facing a prison sentence or a large fine. Ignoring the Israeli historical and national connection to that part of the land simply serves to alienate the vast majority of Israelis, regardless of their political views. It is morally flawed, historically void and politically destructive.