Haaretz | Thursday, January 23, 2014 5

Editor: Aluf Benn Let’s save English Edition Editor: Charlotte Hallé Managing Editor: Simon Spungin the Palestinians Deputy Publisher: Guy Rolnik Managing Director, Haaretz Group Rami Guez in Yarmouk Managing Director, English Edition Let's save Aviva Bronstein an olive for Yair Lapid his article will surely half alive; lines of women and Haaretz Daily Newspaper Ltd. fall on deaf ears, even old people crowded for hours in 21 Schocken St.,Tel Aviv 61350 Israel. more than others of hopes of obtaining a serving of Tel: 03-5121212 Fax: 03-6810012 T mine. Still, it must be written. food or dose of medicine; and Customer Service Tel: 03-5121750 Fax: 03-5121703 I can’t forget the images from the terrible hopelessness of E-mail: [email protected]. Advertising: 03-5121774, 03-5121112 Letters to the editor: [email protected] or fax: 03-5121156 the Yarmouk camp for Pal- thousands of people under siege estinian refugees. Among all whose homes have been demol- the victims of Syria’s horrors, ished and worlds destroyed. these people should touch Is- A few days ago my col- raelis’ hearts. league Zvi Bar’el described Israel is morally responsible the situation in the camp. The for what happens in this camp, camp’s coordinating commit- albeit indirectly. First, it bears tee called on residents to drink historical responsibility for the a liter of water with a teaspoon Strong fate of the camp’s residents – of salt, and after that a liter of Palestinian natives of Israel water with a teaspoon of sugar, who were forced to flee and if available. democracies their descendants. Bar’el was restrained as he Second, many Israeli Arabs referred to Yarmouk as resem- and Palestinians in the terri- bling a World War II ghetto, Eran Wolkowski | [email protected] tory of the Palestinian Author- and even this description fell don’t brag ity have relatives in Yarmouk, on deaf ears. Only 20,000 sometimes even of the first people remain in the camp, Israel’s right-wing government has found a new degree. Siblings, grandpar- where 150,000 lived before point of reference – Syria, a country groaning un- ents and cousins are starving the civil war. Only the weak der a bloody civil war. Every time an Arab Knes- Ari Shavit to death, and dozens have al- and helpless remain – to live set member tries to criticize something in Israel, ready died. in destruction under siege. The the ministers immediately suggest that he “go to We could draw a parallel. An rest have suffered their second Syria.” Every time a right-wing minister or MK atrocity takes place dozens of expulsion. wants to boast about Israeli democracy, he com- kilometers from the country’s pares it to what’s happening under Bashar Assad’s The city in white borders, and relatives of Jewish regime. Israelis are starving to death The latest example took place this week. After and dying for lack of medicine Israel should declare Deputy Knesset Speaker Ahmed Tibi and col- WASHINGTON, DC - A mood. Everything here is re- The neocon looked at me Washington is now a post- and supplies, wandering around leagues protested against the speech by Cana- heavy snow fell this week served and restrained - with- as if he were looking at a traumatic capital. It does not emaciated and being shot like that its gates are dian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Prime Min- on Washington. The White out clarity, without visibility, country bumpkin who didn’t believe in big ideas and does stray animals. Would Israel re- open for the 20,000 ister Benjamin Netanyahu took the podium and House was even whiter, as without passion. understand how things work not believe in big struggles main complacent? Wouldn’t it bragged to the visitor about Israeli democracy. were Capitol Hill and the During the first spring of in the big city. America is and does not believe in itself. take action to save them? besieged residents “In our parliament,” Netanyahu said, “anyone glorious Washington Monu- the Iraq War, I conducted a not Israel, and America is America shies away from It’s easy to dump responsi- to reunite with can say anything they want. This is not possible ment, Jefferson Memorial comprehensive and inten- not the America of Vietnam, anything that reeks of ma- bility for Yarmouk on the Ar- in Damascus.” In another Knesset debate about a and Lincoln Memorial. Traf- sive tour of a much different he answered. It has enough chismo and anything that is abs: the Assad regime, which their families. month ago, Culture Minister Limor Livnat taunted fic was nearly silenced, and city: a Washington rejoicing power to replace the regime reminiscent of Rambo. The cruelly prevents supplies from MK Mohammed Barakeh. “I’ll send you to Assad’s the snow-covered streets on in battle. Cherry trees blos- in Iraq and to carry on with worst nightmare of all is the reaching the besieged residents regime,” she said. “There you can talk about en- the banks of the chilly Po- somed in pink, and on every Iran, too, and change the nightmare of boots on the for many weeks; the armed Israel doesn’t lift a finger. Is- lightenment and culture.” Tibi responded: “It’s tomac accentuated the re- street corner red white and face of the Middle East. ground. Palestinians, who intervened rael even cynically sends back won’t do that every time an Arab MK comments strained beauty and power blue tom-tom drums rang President George W. Bush The American capital is in the civil war and sounded into the inferno the few wound- on something you’ve said, you bring up Syria.” of the capital of the Western out. The little Churchills be- is a man of principles and on guard not to repeat that the camp’s death knell; radical ed Syrians it does treat, amid Pandemonium erupted. world. lieving in the big war strode character who will instigate scenario. Thus, its current Islamist organizations, whose its nauseating self-congrat- The comparisons to Syria and the statements Where is America head- behavior in the world is the cruelty tops that of the regime; ulations. While Syria’s other about sending Arab MKs there are shameful and ed? To a great degree, Amer- way one who leads in snow and the Arab states that didn’t neighbors, Jordan and Turkey, intolerable. More than once, Arab MKs have ica is going nowhere. It is behaves: slowly, carefully, do enough to solve the refugee are bursting with millions of spoken out against the dictatorships in the Arab wrapped within itself and America shies away from anything that without making any sharp problem (even if relatively refugees, Israel doesn’t even world, including Syria’s. They’re members of the licking its wounds without reeks of machismo. The worst nightmare of turns and without galloping speaking they improved the consider absorbing the few Knesset, not any other parliament. This is their making any firm decisions uninhibited toward any de- refugees’ lot in Syria). wounded Syrians who manage place – by right, not by any favor or benevolence about its future. all is the nightmare of boots on the ground. sired goal. And yet the moral respon- to reach it. on the part of the right wing. No one is precisely sure Israel loves America, and sibility still lies with Israel, After the terror of Yarmouk, The need to make comparisons at the expense about the economic situa- Israel is dependent upon whose establishment led to the Israel should show a measure of of the bloody Syrian regime reflects Israeli de- tion - whether it is gradu- in the halls of power. Even a democratic revolution in America, but Israel doesn’t existence of these refugees humanity. It should try to save mocracy’s weakness, certainly not its strength. ally recovering or if there the liberal media and the the Arab world and establish always understand America. and exiles. As best it could, this the 20,000 besieged residents – Strong, stable democracies, like those in properly is an illusory recovery. No Democratic Party sounded a new world order that the For too long, Jerusalem de- country should try to save the natives of this land, remember run countries, don’t need to compare themselves one is precisely clear about like they never had since the United States will lead. luded itself that Washington families of its citizens, even – and declare that its gates are to the worst regimes in order to be extolled. the strategic situation - Iran, bright days of JFK and LBJ. The cherry trees have is a Republican Washington. if they’re Arabs. An example open to them to reunite with Does Israel really want to be compared favor- Syria, Russia and China all I will never forget a pro- blossomed 10 times since It is not. is the elderly Lutafia, a camp their families. ably to murderous Syria? Does it really want to be look gloomy for the moment. found conversation I had then, and have withered 10 For too long, Jerusalem as- resident whose brother Abed Such a step would probably mentioned in the same breath as the Arab tyran- No one has a clear hold on with a brilliant, senior neo- times, and the city is cov- sumed that Washington lay Abadi is a prize-winning artist be rejected by the Syrians, but nies? Israel’s system of government is immeasur- what the political future conservative then among the ered in white. The super- in its pocket. It does not. The in Haifa who has tried to save maybe not. Sadly, Israel could ably better than the regime in the Arab states. But brings - will the bridge di- city’s rulers. I asked him if power invested all its spiri- new situation of American her for years. have organized a humanitarian is this fact enough to guarantee its strength and saster strike down New Jer- he didn’t fear that this just- tual resources - and much conscientiousness, carefully Pictures of Yarmouk won’t operation or a donation cam- quality? sey governor Chris Christie, started war would become a of its economic resources leading through the snow, fade away: the Palestinian boy paign, just as it does for natural Instead of brandishing the racist suggestion and is Hillary Clinton on the second Vietnam. I told him - in the mud of Iraq and Af- obliges Israel to prepare for chewing on paper for lack of disasters far away for which it that we send Israel’s Arabs to Syria, the govern- verge of returning to the that what happened to Israel ghanistan. It lost its famous crisis-ridden situations in food; the boy crying to the cam- bears no responsibility. But in ment and right-wing politicians should occupy White House? in Beirut and Gaza could self-confidence in two undy- which the deep conscious- eras for help from the world Yarmouk the dying are Pales- themselves with Israeli democracy, which is cry- Washington’s beautiful happen to the United States ing wars and an extended ness gap between it and its now that his father has been tinian refugees. What do they ing out to be strengthened. winter befits its current in Baghdad. economic crisis. That is how ally will become dangerous. killed; emaciated people just have to do with us?

Israel Harel Robby Berman The boycott’s boogeymen exploit the End Israeli organ donation taboo

Netanyahu government’s weakness srael has the lowest organ even if their loved one has family members are say- transplant staff would sur- donor registration rate in an organ donor card, as we ing psalms, pulling at God’s vive, either. I the Western world. Only 14 saw last year in the infamous prayer shawl, petitioning for If we want to increase ew Israelis know that supermarket mogul Rami plan, our economy will col- lic opinion, both Israeli and percent of Israelis carry a do- case involving Avi Cohen, an extra-terrestrial interven- organ donation in Israel we John Kerry’s staff in- Levy, the list of signatories lapse. international, to those who nor card, as opposed to 45 per- a soccer star who died in a tion. And all the while, deep need to listen to the people F cludes a task force contained no surprises. Most Nobody recalls that the seek to lead the country cent of Americans. This week, motorcycle accident; it was down, you suspect that your who are refusing organ do- which, under the guise of are well-known activists in worst economic crisis of astray. the Israel Transplant Center widely reported that rabbis brother never really wanted nation and ask them why. public relations, engages in left-wing organizations. recent decades stemmed Occasional boycotts do oc- announced a record number visiting the family in the hos- to be an organ donor in the The majority of Israelis are psychological warfare. Its So why, if not because they from the signing of the Oslo cur, as in Holland recently. of new registrants for organ pital after his death persuad- first place. You suspect he secular Israelis – but this is purpose is to weaken Israel’s have joined the anti-Israel 2 agreement in 1995: It oc- But most boycott initiatives donor cards in 2013. This sta- ed them not to follow through only signed the ADI card not secularism as understood will – that of its people, and campaign of intimidation, curred after all the bells of fail miserably. Even Norway, tistic implies that more or- with his expressed wishes to to get the benefits. Now the in other Western countries. that of its government – to did this routine expression peace had rung out and the which supports the Pales- gans in Israel will be donated be a donor. transplant surgeons are com- Secular Israelis may not fol- stand firm on critical issues of opinion suddenly merit self-deceiving photos and tinians, is sobering up with in the future. But to me, this Consequently and under- ing down the hall with their low halakha (Jewish religious about which it disagrees with such exposure? After all, it’s headlines from the White regard to its attitude toward looks like a red herring. standably, well-intentioned unsheathed scalpels to re- law) during their lifetime, yet the U.S. secretary of state. well known that news editors House about “peace in our Israel. In other Scandinavian The phenomenal growth people have been asking for move your brother’s organs. often when death intrudes, In addition, of course, don’t like press releases. times” had been published. countries, important voices in registration for ADI organ a new law that enables the What are you going to do? there is an instinctive “re- there is the large staff of are also urging a rethink cards (managed by Israel’s turn” to caring about hal- the embassy in Tel Aviv. It of attitudes toward Israel, National Transplant Center) akha; many believe Judaism has many ways of working, against the background of over the past few years is forbids organ donation. including courting journal- The Netanyahu government, which is listless violence by Muslim immi- the result of a new law that Forcing families by law to donate the We need to let them know ists and developing ties with grants, the Arab Spring and enables any Israeli signed that over 200 Orthodox rab- public figures, academics, in almost every field, tamely accepts the the slaughter in Syria. up for an organ donor card organs of their donor-card-carrying bis in Israel carry organ do- rabbis and businessmen. A boycott propaganda and leaves the battle for Only on the margins of to get priority treatment on relatives won’t defuse the suspicions nor cards and support organ particularly important tar- British academia, and re- the organ waiting list if they donation. We need to let them get is former army officers public opinion, both Israeli and international, cently American academia ever require a transplant. and superstitions that even secular know that years ago the Ash- and defense officials (as well to those who seek to lead the country astray. as well, are calls for boy- This run on cards is, in fact, Israelis have about organ donations. kenazi and Sephardi chief as those still in uniform). cotts proliferating, and these one of the consequences that rabbis of Israel reviewed the And indeed, some, including have no impact. The biggest motivated legislators to cre- medical and halakhic aspects former major generals and That’s why other newspa- After a few years of econom- and most respected British ate the new law in the first transplant community to If Israeli doctors went on of brain-stem death and con- security service chiefs, have pers, even those that are ic growth, the terrorism that universities, and even more place: Not only to ensure a forcibly remove organs from strike this week because of cluded that it constitutes the suddenly altered their con- normally happy to publish the Palestinians embarked so the American ones, have just, symmetrical system of an organ donor card-holder the constant physical abuse death of the human organism, duct and now prophesy the material such as “the threat on, which ultimately killed published unreserved state- commitment and compensa- in spite of the family’s objec- they are subjected to by un- even while the human organs diametric opposite of what of sanctions grows from day more than 1,000 people, par- ments in support of Israeli tion, but also to increase the tions. satisfied patients and their remain alive. That they ruled they prophesied – and above to day,” didn’t even mention alyzed the economy and sent academia. overall number of card hold- This is simply bad poli- families, often complaining organs should be donated. all, what they acted on – in this release. it into a prolonged crisis. The principle boycott dan- ers. cy. I’m all for personal au- about the long waiting times We need to publicize the fact the past. Interested parties are dis- In such a situation, the log- ger lies in its trendiness, and But I believe that Israe- tonomy. I’m all for justice. to see a doctor, it doesn’t take that more than a dozen chief This week, a press release seminating predictions of ical move for a government especially in our own fear of lis, somewhat cynically, are But imagine the scenario: much imagination to visual- rabbis around the world sup- issued by 100 businessmen boycotts and ostracism, and that hadn’t given in to the “what will the goyim say.” signing up en-masse for or- Your brother has an organ ize the level of violence that port organ donation. Passing was published on the front even working to make them propaganda, which is meant Many of those who try (but gan donor cards just for the donor card and now he is will happen in a scenario laws will not sway the critical page of the daily Yedioth more threatening. The ordi- to mislead both the govern- fail) to organize boycotts benefits. It is their insurance brain-stem dead. You don’t where organ donation will mass of Israelis. The answer Ahronoth. “The world is los- nary citizen, who draws his ment and the faint-hearted rely on home-grown Israeli policy. If they ever need an really understand the final- take place by force. Appeals to this problem is education, ing patience, and the threat information from a slanted or public, would be to simply initiatives. As far back as organ they will get one, but ity of brain-stem death. You for this new ‘by force’ legisla- not legislation. of sanctions grows from submissive media becomes tell the truth. But Benjamin 1991, veteran journalist Am- they are also hedging their see your brother’s beating tion are justified in terms of Robby Berman is founder day to day,” it warned. “We worried. Jews are afraid of Netanyahu’s government, non Abramovich advised the bets: If and when it comes heart and you are wonder- fairness and personal auton- and director of the Halachic have a window of opportu- boycotts and ostracism. And which is listless in almost Americans, “Forget this gov- time for them to donate, I ing how he can possibly be omy - but as a public policy, Organ Donor Society (www. nity thanks to John Kerry’s thus, the psychological war- every field, tamely accepts ernment. ... Speak to it via its believe their families will dead. Hopeful spiritual heal- it doesn’t survive further hods.org), which works to in- arrival, and we must take fare achieves its goal: If we the boycott propaganda and pocketbook. ... You have to go refuse. And families in Is- ers are telling you he is go- reflection. And if implement- crease Jewish participation advantage of it.” Aside from don’t go along with the Kerry leaves the battle for pub- all the way.” rael have the right to say no ing to wake up and religious ed, I don’t think the medical in organ donation programs.