THE New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman published an article titled Postcard From Cairo this week. I just couldnt believe my eyes as I was reading it.
I know Thomas Friedman writes to a type. He always takes the side against Israel. It is a reflex thing. I dont expect a thoughtful or nunaced reaction from him anymore on Israel issues. It is the same soundbite every time.
To read the leftist Thomas Friedman is to face the same shallow narrowness found in a right-wing column or newspaper that spews its expected position.
Every single time.
Even so, this particular article of Friedman seems to have gone too far. He seems obsessed with criticizing Israel for the sake of criticizing Israel. The gist of what he was saying was blaming, yes blaming, Israel for not getting more involved in supporting the protesters in Egypt.
He writes:
When young Egyptians looked around the region and asked: Who is with us in this quest and who is not? the two big countries they knew were against them were Israel and Saudi Arabia. Sad. The children of Egypt were having their liberation moment and the children of Israel decided to side with Pharaoh-right to the very end.
Excuse me?
What is Friedman talking about? Israel could not have been more quiet, more classy, more restrained in their response to the dmonstrations.
Uncharacteristically even, I might add. Israel had nothing to do with the uprising and did not get involved in any which way, pro or anti.
And Israel was right not to. It was not Israels place to butt into Egypts internal business, struggles and politics at that point. Especially since Egypt, i.e., Mubarak, is someone, with whom Israel signed a peace treaty.
Despite Israels own obvious fear of the volatile developments, Israels suppressing any action, reaction or apprehension and just holding it in standing by and simply watching how the protests would develop and unfold was exactly what Israel should have done.
Friedman criticizes Israel for its response following Mubaraks resignation:
All Israel had to say was that it appreciated the long years which President Mubarak had kept the peace, but that it now stands in awe of the Egyptian peoples quest for dignity, freedom and justice and the Israeli people look forward to working with whatever democratic government Egyptians build.
Friedman terms this comment very simple. I consider this change in Egypt pretty scary for Israel.
Israels quiet response, at this volatile point in time, was wise, and as it should be.
IT is easy for Friedman, with the advantage of 20/20 vision, to criticize Israel post facto, now that Mubarak has in fact stepped down.
But what if the demonstrators had not won out? Then what? It would have been the height, or depth (depending at how you look at it) of stupidity, for Israel to become involved. It would have been like when children are in a fight. Every parent knows, dont get involved, because by the time the two parents are bickering or not speaking over their childrens fight, the children are back on playing terms, as if nothing happened.
Sometimes you just need to wait and watch.
Also, the situation is not as simple as Friedman paints. He himself acknowledged: Everyone can and should understand Israels strategic concerns. They are totally valid. The peace treaty with Egypt has been the cornerstone of Israeli strategy and economic growth for 30 years. Israel has scrupulously abided by the treaty.
Basically, Friedman is talking out of two sides of his mouth. The whole article sounds to me like breathing down Israels neck. Barely any time has passed since Mubarak has stepped down, and for Israel to jump into the fray right now could not be more foolish.
But I guarantee you, had Israel done precisely what Friedman has advocated had Israel gotten involved this weeks article by Friedman would have criticized that choice.
FRIEDMAN mentions that a sign hangs in Tahir Square that says: If Mubarak is Pharaoh, we are all Moses.
An ironic role reversal. Now the amcha of Egyptians, The People, are identifying with the ultimate Jewish redeemer and leader, Moses. Let us hope whatever develops and whatever new government arises, the spirit of this sentiment will be extended to its neighbors.
Unfortunately, I it might not be, as already this week the first political request of the student protesters to the new leadership is to cut off gas shipments to Israel. But nonetheless, let us hope.
I hope the dynamics in Egypt will shift from the dictatorship that it was into a healthy and viable democracy that will be successful for its people, as well as stable and safe for my country, for Israel. Who knows, maybe this is all the beginning of the disintegration of the Axis of Evil in the Middle East.
Copyright © 2011 by the Intermountain Jewish News
