Israel At The Bar

Following the notorious massacres of Palestinians in the Refugee Camps of Sabra and Shatilah last September, this eloquent challenge rang out in Israel's Parliament (the Knesset):

At this time, perhaps more than ever before, the Jewish nation stands before its conscience. Not because of what the Gentiles say and not because of what the newspapers write, but because of the growing fear that rises from the depth of our heritage. We have a sense that underneath the blocks of cement used to cover the bodies of children, women and old men, lie moral ruins. We all confront this abominable act, which the rabbis said is the absolute antithesis of the traditions of Judaism. "The fate of Israel," David Ben-Gurion said, "is dependant on its strength and its righteousness." Righteousness, not just strength, had to guide our deeds... The question that stands before the whole nation is the question of Israel facing itself, Israel facing its history.

Outside the Knesset tremendous public pressure was put on the Israeli government to appoint an independent enquiry into responsibility for the massacre. Israel has a population of only 4.1 millions, but a mass rally of 400,000 people was staged in Tel Aviv to press a reluctant government to accept the need for an enquiry. A three-man Commission, headed by the President of the Supreme Court of Israel, was finally appointed towards the end of September 1982.

The Commission's Report, published in February 1983, was described by one Jerusalem newspaper as a "political earthquake." It concluded that Defence Minister Sharon and several high-ranking Israeli army leaders shared an "indirect responsibility" for the Beirut outrage. The Prime Minister "for two days showed absolutely no interest in the camps ... His lack of involvement casts on him a certain degree of responsibility," declared the Report.

In rejecting the plea that Israel had no responsibility for atrocities outside its territory, carried out by Phalangist against Palestinian, the Commission referred to past Jewish attitudes when themselves the victims of persecution or pogrom. "The Jewish public's stand has always been that the responsibility for such deeds falls not only on those who rioted and committed the atrocities, but also on those who were responsible for safety and public order, who could have prevented the disturbances and did not fulfil their obligations in this respect."

Following the publication of the Report there were demonstrations in Jerusalem and TeI-Aviv. These reflected different opinions in Israel. Some called on Sharon and even the whole government to resign. Others expressed support for Sharon and resentment that he had been censured. In the event the government continued in office and Sharon retained a place in the cabinet; no longer as Minister of Defence, but as Minister without portfolio.

Leaving aside any controversial aspects of the situation, the very fact that the Commission was appointed and produced such a searching, uncompromising Report, is indeed noteworthy. The moral consciousness of the nation had been deeply stirred in relation to the massacres. Where blame could have been denied because Israeli soldiers did not carry out the massacre, the principle of indirect responsibility was given full weight, and a degree of blame accepted. "Righteousness exalteth a nation," wrote Solomon, "but sin is a reproach to any people" (Prov. 14:34). From a scriptural viewpoint it's fascinating to see the continuing influence of Old Testament truth through modern Judaism, as it affects the consciences of many in Israel on ethical issues of this kind.

However, the Old Testament prophets tell of a greater soul-searching for Israel still to come. "The Jewish nation stands before its conscience," declared the Knesset member in relation to the Beirut massacres. What anguish of conscience will be experienced when they look unto Him whom they pierced-their Messiah, the Son of the Blessed, who was delivered up to Pontius Pilate to be crucified and slain. In that day "they shall mourn for Him as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." Praise God that there will then be "a fountain opened to the house of David ... for sin and uncleanness ... they shall call on My Name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people; and they shall say, The Lord is my God" (Zech. 12:10-14; 13:1, 9).

Meantime let us pray without ceasing for the peace of Jerusalem; and for the removal of the veil of unbelief from many Jewish hearts, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, may dawn upon them (2 Cor. 4:4).

unknown | Jul 1983
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