COMMENTARY / OPINION 4/16/23
Jews and the Land of Israel: Part VI: Israel’s Right to Exist By Alex Grobman PhD.
April 16, 2023
*Editor’s Note: This is the sixth installment in the most recent series of articles from Jewish Press Online contributor, Alex Grobman, PhD
“Until the region says unequivocally, they acknowledge the right of Israel to exist as an independent Jewish state, there will be no peace,” declared President Joe Biden. [1] The repeated threats to destroy Israel and the unremitting incitement against the Jews [2] will ensure the conflict will continue. The justification for refusing to recognize Israel is found in Articles 15 and 20 of the Palestinian National Charter of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Article 15 asserts, “The liberation of Palestine, from an Arab viewpoint, is a national (qawmi) duty and it attempts to repel the Zionist and imperialist aggression against the Arab homeland, and aims at the elimination of Zionism in Palestine. [3]
According to one source, the correct translation of the term “the elimination of Zionism,” is “the liquidation of the Zionist presence.” Arabs use the expression “the Zionist presence,” a familiar Arabic euphemism for Israel, “so this clause in fact calls for the destruction of Israel, not just the end of Zionism.” [4]
In a World Obsessed with Feelings, Whose Feelings Matter? by Linda Goudsmit
April 15, 2023 – In a society that eliminates meritocracy by shifting its metrics from achievement to feelings, whose feelings actually matter? Let’s find out.
Competence is the mother of self-esteem. We know this is true by simply observing the delight of young children as they learn to dress themselves, feed themselves, or sound out their first words and realize they can read! Each achievement increases the child’s competence and enhances his developing sense of self. Achievement makes little Johnny feel proud of himself and good about himself. Let’s consider what incentivizes competence and achievement, and what doesn’t. Let’s also consider the motivations for incentivizing competence and the motivations for discouraging it.
If you want to know the motive, look at the result. What made America great was its cultural roots in meritocracy. Our society awarded achievement with upward mobility. It was called the American Dream, and America was the land where dreams came true. In every sector of society, little Johnny was encouraged to become an independent, autonomous, rational adult, capable of living a life of ordered liberty in our constitutional republic. In other words, little Johnny was encouraged to grow up and perpetuate the American dream. Not anymore.
In the past, each of little Johnny’s achievements were rewarded with praise when he was a little boy. As he grew older he earned grades in school that marked his achievement. Then he competed in sports with friends, and games with family. His grades were awarded certificates of achievement or advanced placement. His sports achievements were awarded with trophies, and wins in family games were rewarded with more praise.
