Ari Shavit : Donald Trump’s Plot Against Israel and America
In 2004 Philip Roth published one of his superb
novels, “The Plot Against America.” In the book, Charles Lindbergh beats
Franklin Roosevelt in the 1940 presidential election and turns the
United States into a semi-fascist country that supports Nazi Germany,
spreads anti-Semitism and tramples human rights. Eleven years after
Roth’s novel came out, the plot against America seems less fictitious.
On his way to the top, presidential candidate Donald Trump is smashing one American taboo after another, producing political electricity and accumulating political capital by demagogic attacks on migrants, Mexicans and Muslims.
The
dubious real estate magnate is exploiting white America’s fear of
migration, political correctness, multiculturalism and the global
economy to push an abominable politics of hatred. Shamelessly and
uninhibitedly he is degrading the democratic core values that have made
America the superpower of freedom.
Trump
wants to visit Israel soon. As a free country, Israel is open to any
visitor who isn’t a felon, terrorist or Nazi. As the United States’
greatest friend, Israel receives with open arms any American citizen who
wishes to visit the promised land.
But as a Jewish and democratic state, Israel cannot roll out a red carpet
for an inciter against Islam who could use the visit to Jerusalem to
inflame emotions, arouse spirits and stir up a war of religions. Israel
must tell its unwanted guest a few clear, firm things.
About 80
percent of us, Mr. Trump, are Jews. As Jews we were victims for
thousands of years of pathological xenophobia, we’ve seen where
nationalist racist incitement can lead the most advanced and cultured
nations in the world, we’ve known the awful feeling of the gates being
locked to refugees trying to save their lives.
So
we will never tolerate Lindbergh’s politics and will always identify
with the America of Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt and Martin Luther
King. We won’t open our gates or hearts to reactionary demagogues, even
if they pretend to be our friends. You have been warned: The Jewish
people’s national home will not accept the evil spirit you carry with
you.
Around 20
percent of us, Mr. Trump, are Muslims. No other Western state has such a
high rate of Muslims. Despite all the difficult challenges facing
Israel in the region, the Muslim minority is an inseparable part of
Israel. Arabic is an official language, Muslim religious institutions
are state-run, and the sites holy to Islam are protected by the state.
Israeli
Muslims have a respectable representation in the Knesset and play a huge
role in the progressive economy, higher education and cultural life.
Under no circumstances will we let a ratings-greedy reality star hurt
their feelings. We won’t let a rabble-rouser attack their religion and
beliefs.
We have
enough racists who are trying to make our shared life in Israel
impossible. We have no need for imported racism from Palm Beach.
We are
all Israelis, Mr. Trump. As Israelis we’ve created – against all odds – a
joint imperfect fabric of life. This fabric is now threatened
constantly. But as Israelis of different religions, we insist on finding
a way to live together.
So if you
want to make a pilgrimage to the Church of the Nativity, to the Church
of the Holy Sepulchre, to the Sea of Galilee and Nazareth, you are
welcome. If you want to launch an ambitious peace plan, ahalan vesahalan, as they say in Arabic: You are most welcome.
But if
you plan to advance a plot against Israel, forget it. If you intend to
spark a clash of civilizations and ignite a war of civilizations, not
here. Not on the tormented land of this holy land.
Ari Shavit
Haaretz Correspondent
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