Op-Ed: Stop Zoomorphing the "Settlers"

Arutz Sheva ^ | 31/12/11 | Giulio Meotti

[Eleutheria5]

Western cartoonists often depict the "settlers" as animals. The main zoomorphic motifs used today for Jewish settlers are spiders, the octopus and the blood-thirsty vampire.

The demonization of the “settlers” and the manner in which part of the Israeli society is gloating over their displacement will remain an indelible blot on Jewish history.

They want to transform these idealistic citizens' Maginot defense line into their Massada.

The "settlers" of Judea and Samaria represent a highly constructive element in the Jewish nation. They serve on the front lines and bore the brunt of Arab terrorism, suffering more casualties than any other sector of the Jewish body.

In their communities the fear of being shot or stoned is palpable, and the psychological impact on children and adults alike is immense (the butchery in Itamar became just another entry, although an especially barbarian one, on the long list of Jewish victims of Palestinian terrors).

The "settlers" assumed the role of a new Jewish vanguard filling the void left after the secular elites of the earlier days of statehood disappeared. Their patriotism and love of the land transformed many of them into role models.

But the manner in which the residents of Judea and Samaria are being portrayed is disconcerting. It will be remembered as a seminal case in the history of blood libels.

"Settlers" are being treated only in one way; they are less than human beings. Their villages are branded “illegal” and in the end they find that they themselves have become “illegal beings”. Pariahs. Vilified as enemies of the state and a needless burdens on the “defense budget”.

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[Eleutheria5]

It's ok. Israel became an independent nation because the British would not allow us to immigrate legally, so people came illegally, and the Irgun originally was dedicated to facilitating these "illegals". In 1944, the establishment; i.e., Jewish Agency and Hagana, declared open season on the Irgun for its "illegal" activities. My heroes live on a hillside in flakeboard and plywood shacks, defying the attitude that makes them "illegal". We'll yet see Judah and Samaria legally annexed to the State of Israel, and the exiles of Ghaza legally returned to their homes.

[SJackson]

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