by Lt.-Col. (res.) Udi Ben-Hamo, translated by Hillel Fendel
Where there is no truth, but only "narratives," the winners are only those with power
In our post-modern world, in which identities are blurred, nations are trampled upon, and every border is breached both physically and morally – what remains is simply to pluck on the thin cords of emotion, and thus manipulatively squeeze out some points by demanding compassion and recognition as victims.
When there is no truth, but only narrow "narratives," the winners are only those who control the power centers.
This is, of course, a great tragedy for human intelligence - because there is clearly no connection between one's economic status or expertise in a particular field, and whether he is correct or knowledgeable in another area. One can be a Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, and at the same time be an absolute novice when it comes to ethics or political science or law. One can be both a high-ranking IDF general and a total beginner in other fields.
In short, we see these days that picking on the cords of emotion is in overdrive, causing havoc throughout Israel.
A number of years ago, I took a trip to Poland, joined by several bereaved families whose loved ones were murdered by Palestinian terrorists or killed in battle. I wrote at the time as follows:
"What connection is there between bereaved families and a trip to Poland?
"One can say with cynicism that the families' role is to squeeze out of us a bit more tears and emotion, in order to overcome the coldness, skepticism and distrust of our lives.
"But we can find a deeper explanation, if we wish, as follows:
"The People of Israel heralded to the world the tidings of morality and the message of kindness as primary fundamentals, as the basis on which the world should be built. As the Psalmist wrote: 'A world of kindness will be built' (89,3) – words that are truly engraved upon our hearts, both individual and communal.
"It is for this idea that we live, and it is in the name of the war against this concept that our forefathers were murdered, and it is for this idea that we established our State – and in its name we must, and do, maintain a well-trained and equipped military founded upon ethics.
"It is also for this model that the choicest of our sons have fallen. They put on uniforms and took up the sword as representatives of this same profound and well-rooted point – for in order to instill it in the world, we sometimes must also fight and stand up for our very lives.
"In this light, one long thread or chain is seen to run through the entire course of our lives – at the tip of which are our Israel Defense Force soldiers, without whom this world-dependent concept would not be sustainable.
"And at the very point of that tip are the members of our bereaved families – they were never consulted as to whether they wished to join this club – as living testimony to the fact that the 'Eternity of Israel will neither lie nor change His mind, for He is not a human to [do so]' (Shmuel I 15,29). "