Ryan ChartrandIt has been called the most significant event of the 20th century. In a century with the likes of two world wars, the struggle with communism and global technological advances, Israel’s Declaration of Independence on May 14, 1948 surely had plenty of competition. But the effects of this tiny nation’s independence have entirely outweighed its small stature. This miniscule foothold of Western culture has changed the course of history.
Israel, and all that it signifies, has brought a historic battle of the civilizations to the front page headlines again. It is there, in Israel, that the East (Islam) and the West (Christianity/Judaism) find their meeting point. Like it or not, the battle exists. Will we acknowledge that fact? Or will we keep thinking that this can all be solved by a bunch of peacenik pattycake games?
Many Americans are unaware of the historical struggle of the West versus Islam, including Islam’s repeated attempts at conquering Europe. For hundreds of years, the West was deathly afraid of “The Turk” and the “Mohammedans.” Only with the defeat of the Muslim armies at the gates of Vienna – in the heart of Europe – did the Islamic armies halt their advances. After that 1683 battle, the West and the Islamic empires lived in relative separation. But since the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the humiliating loss of land to a bunch of Jews (with some British help), Islam has awoken.
Israel, in this clash of civilizations, is the only nation that is expected to supply its enemies with fuel, electricity and food relief – actions of grace that are wholly unknown to the rest of the Middle East. And yet Israel does. Only Israel is expected to provide cancer treatment to elderly Gazans and treat Hamas terrorists for gunshot wounds (often for free). And yet Israel does. Only Israel is expected to give up territory that was internationally given to it by the United Nations following the British Mandate. And yet Israel does. When Israel instead declines to offer these gracious concessions because of security concerns, it is lambasted the world over. Israel loses when it asserts itself, and loses to terrorism when it graciously opens wide its gates.
Despite this disheartening bias, Israelis are sure of their place in the world. Israel’s independence was the return of a long-lost nation that had survived for millennia in exile. While the Romans may have kicked the Jews out of the land in AD 70, they have forever called it their homeland since. The Jews’ connection to Jerusalem, the land of Judea, and Galilee are beyond argument. One can hardly read a chapter in the Hebrew Bible without finding a cherished reference to the land. Ever since being exiled from the land, Jews (and some Christians) have taken literally the Bible’s prediction, “I will bring (the Jews) out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land” (Ezekiel 34:13). The 1948 Declaration was a magnificent fulfillment of this millennia-long hope.
This week, the Cal Poly Hillel and the Cal Poly Israel Alliance clubs celebrate the 60th anniversary of Israel’s independence out on Dexter Lawn. We celebrate her determination, courage and existence this week. Come by the booth and see why this is so important.
Brian Crawford is an architectural engineering senior, the president of the Cal Poly Israel Alliance and a guest columnist for the Mustang Daily.