It is not that John Kerry is officially a persona non
grata in Israel. But since last Friday his standing in Israel
is such that all the diplomatic niceties among Israeli politicians would not be
able to bridge the chasm he has created. Even if by some miracle he does come
uninvited the attitude towards him would
resemble what one has towards a halfwit - polite with concern for the
handicapped.
With regards to Obama the attitude would be different.
After all, the office of the
president of the US commands respect by itself and yet it has finally dawned on
the majority of Israelis that Obama is not America, and that a terrible
aberration has taken place with the leadership of the country Israelis
usually admire. How is it possible that Obama in effect sides with
Hamas and is insisting on a cease-fire to which 86 percent of
the Israelis are opposed? He is an enigma one
has to acknowledge exists, but whose absurd policies they know the Israeli
leadership cannot accept and which will have to be ignored if Israel is to
survive.
But all in all, Israelis have come together like I have
not seen for a long time. The steady flow of well wishers visiting wounded
soldiers at hospitals is amazing.
One has to witness it to
understand the magnitude and scope. Mountains of cakes, goodies and cards attest to a deep link the population has to
the soldiers fighting in Gaza. Israeli flags have popped up on buildings and
cars although it is not Independence Day.
I get a feeling that Israelis are saying to the world - we are going to fight our own battles and
will not listen to you for we know who we are and what we are fighting for and
this time we see through your hypocrisy.
