Today’s Yom Hazikaron (in English, ‘Memorial Day’. Or more precisely ‘Israeli Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism Remembrance Day’). It’s an Israeli national holiday which honours three groups: military personnel who died in the defence of Israel since her establishment in 1948, fallen members of the Jewish Brigade and paramilitary groups between 1860 and 1948, and civilians murdered by acts of terrorism. On Yom Hazikaron 2008, 22,437 people killed in the line of duty and 1,635 civilian terror victims were remembered and honoured. Unfortunately today the number in both groups is higher - the former’s up 133 to 22,570. In Israel, at 11 a.m. a 2-minute siren’s sounded, and everything and everyone stops. Almost. Certain sects of ultra-religious Jews don’t attribute any specific significance to today. And Arabs likewise. Arabs, both within and beyond Israel, would do well to take time today to reflect on what they’ve gained, and what they’ve lost, in the 61 years (less one day) since Israel became a nation. And if they were honest they’d see they’ve lost much, and gained little if anything. Their violence has gotten them nowhere. Yet they persist. Like it’s an incurable addiction. Today I remember and honour every one of Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. Due in large part to their sacrifice, I’m able to live the life I do, here in Tasmania, almost 14,000km from Jerusalem.
No comments:
Post a Comment