October 16/2015

When Hatred and Hope Collide

Throughout history, the Jewish people and the Jewish State have triumphed in the face of challenges and threats. Not only have we survived, but we are thriving today, as a people and as a state. The astonishing accomplishments of Israel in the relatively short time since its establishment are a testament to that triumph. One key reason for our success is that we, as Jews and Israelis, have always been forward looking. Israel’s anthem, HaTikvah means “The Hope.”  

Our state of mind hopes for a better future and takes action to ensure it arrives. We are constantly on the move to improve, never succumbing to despair and frustration, no matter how difficult things may be at a given moment in time. Our national narrative and mindset are linked to the concept of hope. By contrast, the mindset of our Palestinian neighbors seems to be the exact opposite. 

Instead of embracing hope, the Palestinian leadership succumbs to despair; instead of fostering a forward looking national narrative and a positive agenda for their people, they promote a narrative of hatred towards Jews and an agenda of violence and destruction. It is that very mindset which they have been imparting on their children for generations. 

We are witnessing the bloody consequences of that sad reality today, with the vicious cycle of Palestinian violence against Israeli civilians that erupted nearly three weeks ago and claimed several lives. At the end of the day, hope will triumph, as it always has, and Israel will come out stronger and more resilient than ever. It is my hope that the Palestinian leadership will change their narrative so that our combined hopes and aspirations can meet and reconcile, rather than collide with their hatred. 

Shabbat Shalom,

  

Yaron Sideman
Consul General Of Israel,
Mid-Atlantic Region