independence day
today is yom ha'atzmaut in israel. the 60th anniversary of israeli autonomy that was won from the british in 1948. Last night I went to the main square in Tel Aviv to see the fireworks, and it was truly amazing. There was a concert first, traditional Israeli music, which so few Israelis (especially the young) listen to, but everyone was in such high spirits. I didn't hear people grumbling that Israel paid $50 million for a party when there are other pressing needs, especially medical ones. The fireworks were the best display I've ever seen, I felt like I just drank 2 coffees once they had finished. The crowd was electric.
Then it hit me why the people here can be so patriotic, even though most Israelis have serious problems with their government. People here are very aware of what is necessary to maintain this state. Most people don't believe what they read in the papers, most people are not anti-arab, but do have legit fears. So I wondered why people don't celebrate their country in Canada where we have absolute freedoms to celebrate, and here, a country with loads of poverty, water shortages, definite enemies for neighbours and within, these people can be so jubilant. Then it hit me that is exactly why. In Canada, we enjoy our Canada day weekend, but we feel removed from the significance of what happened in 1867. It is a time to focus on a past that we have no concept of, so we don't care. But in Israel, many Israelis not only have grandparents who fought in the war of 48, parents who fought in either 1967 or 73, cousins who fought in 82, and have lost friends in the recent intafada. The importance of this holiday resonates because the people of Israel understand the reality that their country may not exist tomorrow, and so they need to celebrate the quality of life they have today. It's not a political, cultural, religious, historical, military or traditional statement that most people are dancing for, it's knowing that they have a home right now that loved ones have died to protect, so they must honour their dead by enjoying what they fought for.
Such an interesting distinction compared to American patriotism which is based on arrogance. History here in Israel is being written every day, and the people gather in Rabin Square on independence day to listen to crappy music, watch the government blow millions on a light show, watch propoganda videos of a perfect israel where everyone smiles lit up on a big screen the size of a tennis court, and they do this because life is hard. Hard enough without questioning the rest of it. I really respect that, even though I couldn't live like that.
Then it hit me why the people here can be so patriotic, even though most Israelis have serious problems with their government. People here are very aware of what is necessary to maintain this state. Most people don't believe what they read in the papers, most people are not anti-arab, but do have legit fears. So I wondered why people don't celebrate their country in Canada where we have absolute freedoms to celebrate, and here, a country with loads of poverty, water shortages, definite enemies for neighbours and within, these people can be so jubilant. Then it hit me that is exactly why. In Canada, we enjoy our Canada day weekend, but we feel removed from the significance of what happened in 1867. It is a time to focus on a past that we have no concept of, so we don't care. But in Israel, many Israelis not only have grandparents who fought in the war of 48, parents who fought in either 1967 or 73, cousins who fought in 82, and have lost friends in the recent intafada. The importance of this holiday resonates because the people of Israel understand the reality that their country may not exist tomorrow, and so they need to celebrate the quality of life they have today. It's not a political, cultural, religious, historical, military or traditional statement that most people are dancing for, it's knowing that they have a home right now that loved ones have died to protect, so they must honour their dead by enjoying what they fought for.
Such an interesting distinction compared to American patriotism which is based on arrogance. History here in Israel is being written every day, and the people gather in Rabin Square on independence day to listen to crappy music, watch the government blow millions on a light show, watch propoganda videos of a perfect israel where everyone smiles lit up on a big screen the size of a tennis court, and they do this because life is hard. Hard enough without questioning the rest of it. I really respect that, even though I couldn't live like that.