According to declarations coming out of Washington last week
it seemed Sharon could expect to encounter only
demonstrations of friendship and proclamations of sweeping US
support for Israeli policy. But in his first meetings Sharon
quickly learned that despite the base of friendly relations
prevailing between the two countries, Washington's foremost
priority is American, and not Israeli, interests.
Israel's security and welfare are indeed an important
American interest, but the US has a number of other interests
that take precedence--such as normal relations with the
Palestinian Authority, for instance. The evidence Sharon
brought with him to Washington proving the PA's direct
involvement in terrorism was accepted without dispute, but
from the US' perspective, continued cooperation with the PA
and preserving Yasser Arafat's political status are of
greater importance. True, the PA is a terrorist entity run by
a shrewd liar whose true face was revealed for all to see,
but the American agenda is determined by cold calculations
rather than by its allies' lofty moral and humanitarian
stance.
Based on the US' various other considerations, Sharon had his
work cut out for him. During his meetings with high-ranking
government officials he worked hard to upgrade Israeli
interests to a higher rung on the ladder of US priorities.
Neither were Sharon's efforts to explain Israel's position to
the US media any simpler. Despite their personal experience
with suicide bombings, the American people do not identify
automatically with Israel's just struggle against its own
terrorism. Although they have adopted a staunch resolution to
fight terrorism at any cost, the battle is also dependent on
US interests, which draw a distinction between threats of
suicide attacks against the US and threats of suicide attacks
against a Lilliputian ally whose location on the map causes
all sorts of problems that interfere with world peace.
During his visit to Washington Mr. Sharon spared no effort to
enlighten the Americans; to convince them of the correctness
of Israel's path; to ask that they take into account various
extenuating circumstances that dictate Israeli policy; to
refute the false libels disseminated by the Palestinian
propaganda machine; to entreat them to stand by Israel in its
battle against plots to harm it; to demand that they denounce
worrisome manifestations of antisemitism; to persuade them to
continue providing the aid money Israel needs--in short to
make every effort to win America's sympathies and support.
Before Israel's founding this type of activity was referred
to as "interceding." Back then the word "intercession" was
considered a slur and was synonymous with the wretchedness
and inferiority of the golus mentality. One of the
Zionist movement's foremost goals was to finally free itself
of the humiliating custom of having to ask the nations of the
world to intercede on its behalf. When we have a country of
our own, they held, we will be able to hold our heads up high
and run domestic affairs without having to ask for favors and
without having to account to anyone.
In the antisemitic literature published during that period in
Hebrew, the golus Yid eagerly knocking on the doors of
the great men and leaders of the world is portrayed as an
exceedingly lowly, contemptible creature. The descriptions of
the distinguished delegation of rabbonim making ready to set
out on an important mission for the public good, dispatched
with the community's impassioned prayers for success in
canceling the gezeira against them, were full of scorn
and derision.
Now this image has reappeared. All of the efforts to be rid
of golus subordination have come to naught. Once again
we must set out to seek the favor of world leaders, for as
long as we are in golus, we are forced to live under
golus terms--even those who convinced themselves
golus was a thing of the past.
Not only has the tradition of intercession remained with us,
but now none other than the prime minister of the sovereign
State of Israel is sent to carry out this unsavory task. The
nation's highest ranking statesman has to pack his bags and
go knocking on the door of the world's most powerful goy,
stand before the great overlord and try to persuade him not
to lend a hand to our enemies, not to believe their devious
vilifications against us, to obdurately denounce acts of
antisemitism and to help us overcome our hardships . . . and
if possible, if it's not too much trouble, sir--in light of
the dire straits we are in--perhaps you could provide a bit
of monetary support . . . ?
What was once called "intercession" is now referred to as "a
diplomatic mission," and today the schnorrer of
yesteryear is merely "seeking outside funding." Despite the
changed vernacular, the meaning remains the same: fawning
before the goyim and wheedling them for financial
assistance.
Thus the modern golus has changed little from the age-
old golus. Except, perhaps, for one salient
difference: we used to lower our heads when asking the goyim
to intercede on our behalf, but today our vainglorious
delegates venture forth with heads held high.
