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As we bid farewell to the old year and look forward to the new year according to the Gregorian calendar, it is timely to take stock of where we are at the moment and prognosticate what the coming twelve months are likely to bring.
For those who base their predictions on the weather, 2014 promises to be stormy, unpredictable and severe. We have just survived the worst snow storm in 150 years and its after effects are still evident in the form of broken branches, downed trees, accumulated snow and damage to the electrical and water systems. Similar meteorological extremes have afflicted other parts of the globe and whether you believe in global climate change or not the fact remains that weather related disasters seem to be more common than in the past. The positive side however has been a large rise in the water level of the Kinneret and with at least two more months of winter to go it looks as though we will end the season with a nearly full lake.
The weather may be unpredictable but the political climate as far as Israel is concerned remains constant. Regardless of any other major genocidal events in the world the obsession with the Jewish State on the part of the international community remains constantly at fever pitch. While Obama may be wrecking the USA, the EU may be drowning in economic chaos and facing demographic catastrophe, South Africa may be facing a crime tsunami, Russia & China suppressing freedom of expression, Arab & Moslem countries leaping back to the dark ages, Iran plotting our demise and Africa embroiled in civil wars and suffering deprivations of every sort, the success story of Israel whether in the economic, scientific or immigrant absorption field is ignored. Instead the focus is entirely on boycotting, delegitimising and pressuring the Jewish State to commit security suicide and reward those whose sole aim is to wipe out the Jewish presence in our country.
Is the coming year going to be any different and can we expect fairer and more balanced treatment by the rest of the world and the media? Those who continue to dwell in fantasy land will say yes and as they have been articulating for many years they will continue to see visions of Munich style peace deals just over the horizon where all we have to do is place our trust in meaningless promises, hollow declarations and hallucinatory mirages. The rest of us who have internalized the lessons of Jewish history and know only too well where naive wishful thinking can lead will answer that 2014 promises to be not only more of the same but unfortunately could quite likely turn out to be worse. Here are some omens which should alert us to the pitfalls and double standards lurking in the undergrowth and incubating in foreign ministries. The misnamed peace talks: as predicted, John Kerry’s frenzied efforts are facing the inevitable reality of the refusal by our intended partners to recognise a legitimate Jewish presence anywhere in the region. Incitement against Jews, Judaism and Israel continues unabated and the next generation of Arabs & Moslems continues to be fed lies and hate. At the end of the 9 month gestation period it is likely that the midwives of Obama & Kerry will be faced with a still birth and it is possible that an abortion may be on the cards before that time has elapsed. Of course we can also anticipate that those eagerly awaiting glad tidings of joy, the EU, UN and others, frustrated at the complications arising will try to use interventionist methods and undertake an emergency operation. This will result in a bastard plan which will endanger every single Jewish person in Israel and threaten the viability of the country. Needless to say when/if Israel rejects efforts to connive at its own destruction the dream team pushing it will blame us and their wrath will descend. Meanwhile Abbas and his colleagues will bask in the glow of a hypocritical international community and media.
The Arab Spring: this has already turned into an Arab winter of civil wars, hatred and doomed aspirations for the downtrodden masses in the various countries concerned. We can anticipate more of the same in 2014 together with a continuing abdication of leadership and strategic planning by the democracies.
Iran: more hoodwinking ahead and meaningless talks with an appeasement flavour. Meanwhile the centrifuges keep spinning, more rockets are manufactured and the nuclear weapon threshold is reached or breached.
The EU: despite more anticipated financial and demographic disasters, the march towards labeling, stigmatising and obsessing over the Jewish State will continue as will efforts to ban Shechita and Brit Mila.
Judeophobia: Jews in various parts of the world will face increased physical threats to themselves and their properties. The virus of Jew hatred masquerading as anti Zionism will infect even more individuals and institutions in enlightened and unenlightened societies alike.
Now for some good news predictions: the ingathering of Jews from far flung corners of the Diaspora, lost tribes, returnees to Judaism after centuries of inquisition imposed secrecy and those waking up to the reality that their host countries are no longer good places to live as Jews, will accelerate. As a result, Israel will be enriched by an Aliyah of diverse and rich traditions.
With the discovery of large oil and gas fields Israel’s economy is poised to benefit as never before and this will hopefully alleviate the social inequalities which cause problems today. Our neighbours as they have in the past will and have already complained that we are stealing what belongs to them. This is par for the course and 2014 will see no change in this pathetic pattern.
The coming year will also without doubt witness many more Israeli discoveries and inventions which will benefit the whole of humanity. Our medical system will continue to provide first class medical care to citizens and at the same time we will extend a helping hand to all those regardless of their country or ethnic origin who need our expertise at times of peace and disaster.
We will do all this and much more despite the continuing double standards emanating from those whose blind hatred precludes them from acknowledging the truth.
Out of Zion in 2014 we will continue to be a light unto the nations as we strive for genuine peace and tolerance amidst a torrent of ignorance and bigotry which threatens to engulf us all.
Michael Kuttner is a Jewish New Zealander who for many years was actively involved with various communal organisations connected to Judaism and Israel. He now lives in Israel and is J-Wire’s correspondent in the region.
