It is hard to believe that only a year has passed since the last celebration of “Israel in the Gardens.”
I cannot remember a year with such dramatic changes, both anticipated and improbable. Israel has dealt with unilateral territorial disengagement, the prime minister bolting his political party to create a new party, the incapacitation of that same prime minister and Palestinian and Israeli elections.
All of these changes were packed with significance that will continue to shape events in the coming years. At a moment as happy as Independence Day, it is important to reflect on this past year and look to the future.
Israel continued to face its many challenges with determination and with confidence this past year. This was never more evident than during last summer’s disengagement from Gaza and the northern West Bank. Through a series of democratic moves, the government decided that it was in Israel’s best interests to give the Palestinians an opportunity to govern themselves. This was not an easy decision to make because it put Israel’s social and political cohesion at risk in an effort to improve security.
Disengagement caused a political upheaval resulting in Prime Minister Sharon’s departure from the Likud Party in November 2005. This then paved the way for the prime minister to create the centrist Kadima Party — an event which has become known as the “Big Bang of Israeli politics,” because it resulted in a radical realignment of the Israeli political landscape.
In the midst of these far-reaching changes, tragedy struck as Sharon suffered an incapacitating stroke in January. With courage, the nation moved on as the leader of the generation of 1948 lay in a hospital bed.
Sharon’s departure from politics represents a passing of the baton to younger leaders, represented foremost by Ehud Olmert. Never an army general, Prime Minister Olmert is a true civilian leader, having risen to power in the political and economic establishment.
March’s elections put the final touches on Israel’s political realignment. Kadima won the most votes and formed a new government.
Additionally, the new Pensioners party came away with substantial support. Both groups are now in the governing coalition, meaning that two newly created parties control 30 percent of the Knesset’s seats. This attests to the ability of Israel’s democratic system to adjust itself to change.
In late January, the ascension of Hamas to the leadership of the Palestinian Authority, through democratic elections, brought the region a new disturbing development.
While Israel would like nothing more than to arrive at a negotiated peace agreement with the Palestinians, it is absolutely impossible to negotiate with an entity that not only calls for Israel’s destruction, but repeatedly acts on those desires.
Unfortunately, Hamas has made it clear to the Western world that it rejects a two-state compromise. Although it yearns for peace, Israel’s government will not hesitate to protect its citizens from terrorism by any and all means necessary.
Iran continues to pose a difficult challenge not only to Israel, but the entire world. The spewing of anti-Semitic hatred and Holocaust denial by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is made infinitely more dangerous given Iran’s nuclear ambitions and shunning of Western diplomatic efforts.
This year’s Independence Day symbolically comes at the same time as the new government of Israel comes into office. We hope that this government will have the opportunity to promote peace with our regional neighbors while furthering relations with the Palestinians and providing security, education and economic possibilities for every citizen.
Prime Minister Olmert set forth his challenge to make Israel “a great place to live” by 2010. To make this possible, several things need to happen that the government has committed itself to do. These include setting permanent national borders, investing more in education, and reducing the social-economic gap.
The prime minister’s goal is attainable and has the support of his citizens. I hope that you, as Jews living in the Bay Area, will continue to show your love and support by visiting, learning about and strengthening your deep connections with your homeland, Israel.