Cteen-U Israel and Me - Final Review

Cteen-U Israel and Me - Final Review

• The Torah advises a strategy of peace before war to resolve conflicts.
• Israel has attempted to make peace with its neighbours since before 1948.
• Israel has achieved peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan.
• Notable attempts at peace with the Palestinians include the Oslo Accords, Yitzhak Rabin's efforts, Ehud Barak's Camp David sessions, Arik Sharon's disengagement from Gaza, and Ehud Olmert's talks with Mahmoud Abbas.
• Compromise and negotiation do not always lead to peace.
• Absolutist, uncompromising enemies who fervently believe in total destruction, deny the right to exist, and categorically reject peace treaties will prevent peace.

How has Israel attempted to establish peace

• Israel has sought peace through negotiation, including land-for-peace arrangements and unilateral withdrawals.

Do compromise and negotiation lead to peace

• Compromise and negotiation are not guaranteed to lead to peace with absolutist, uncompromising adversaries.
• Displaying desperation weakens the negotiating position.
• Success requires a willingness to walk away from the table.

What is the best path towards lasting peace?

• The best approach to peace entails confidently and strongly asserting the claim to the land.
• Preparedness to defend the land, avoiding signs of demoralization or exhaustion, and not rewarding terrorists are necessary.
• Negotiations with terrorists should be avoided.

Examples of Israel's peace agreements

• Israel has made peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan.
• Israel has entered into the Abraham Accords with the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco.

What is a government's top priority?

• A government's foremost priority, according to the Torah, is justice, upholding standards of justice for its people, and ensuring national security.
• Other concerns - such as maintaining an image or pursuing accolades - are secondary to safety and security.

When must Jews fight their enemies on Shabbat?

• Jews must defend themselves, even on Shabbat, when facing an enemy intent on killing, regardless of the reason.
• If an enemy is approaching a border city solely for financial gain, defense on Shabbat is also required.

What is the top concern when considering giving away land for peace?

• Prioritizing the security of its citizens and avoiding threats to their safety— even if that means relinquishing land.

How does the UN demonstrate a bias against Israel?

• The UN disproportionately condemns Israel in its resolutions.
• The resolutions often lack counterarguments.
• Palestine is frequently featured on the Human Rights Council agenda.
• A potential cause of this bias lies in attempts from undemocratic countries with human rights violations to deflect their own issues by raising concerns about Israel.
• Arab and Muslim countries form a bloc to oppose Israel within the UN system
• Israel lacks membership in many UN bodies and regional groups inhibiting defence of their perspective.
• This bias includes antisemitism and anti-Zionism.

Interpretations of Jewish people "dwelling alone"

• One interpretation suggests that Jews are intended to be separate from other nations.
• Another interpretation highlights that Jews have a unique mission as a moral example to the world.

What is the Land of Israel specifically blessed with?

• The Land of Israel is blessed with bountiful agriculture and wisdom.

Israel's contributions to the world

• Israel is renowned for the finest Torah scholars, agricultural innovations, beneficial medical innovations, and leadership in economics.

Why does the news not like Israel?

• Disseminating the truth is vital for a functioning society.
• News outlets share a responsibility to be fair and accurate.
• There is evidence of media bias against Israel, including false impressions and outright falsehoods, with selective reporting, biased headlines, and carefully worded phrases.
• Techniques used include false equivalence, the giving of platforms to terrorists, and upside-down reporting to mislead the public.

How language affects perceptions about the conflict

• Framing language affects perceptions before the argument starts.
• Labeling Israeli towns as "settlements" and residents as "settlers" misrepresents their status.
• Using terms such as "freedom fighters" for terrorists legitimize their actions.

Defining antisemitism

• Antisemitism is hatred of Jews for who they are, not their actions.
• Antisemites often offer reasons for their hatred merely as justifications. These reasons constantly shift and change.
• Criticism of Israel is not always antisemitic, but it is antisemitic when intended to delegitimize, when engaging in demonization, and exhibiting a double standard.

Defining BDS

• BDS is an antisemitic organization that fails the three-pronged (Demonization, Double standard, Delegitimization) antisemitism test and actively delegitimises Israel's existence.

What is the root of antisemitism?

• When antisemites encounter Jews, whom they perceive as representing morality and conscience, they experience a void or guilt. This response often leads to the rejection of those Jewish values.

What can we do to limit antisemitism within ourselves?

• Confidence and pride in one's Jewish identity and heritage can help limit antisemitism.
• By acting as positive and welcoming examples, Jews can inspire a more positive attitude toward Jewish people and create more respect for the identity.

How to stand for Israel

• Actively advocating for Israel, similar to being bold as a leopard.
• Stand confidently in a way that is clearly proud of your Jewish identity
• Methods include study of Torah, prayer, tzedakah, advocating, educating, supporting, visiting, combating, and building.

This quiz focuses on Israel's peace efforts, including historical attempts and challenges in negotiations with its neighbors. Explore key events like the Oslo Accords and peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan. Understand the complexities surrounding compromise and the dynamics of conflict resolution in the region.