“The Arabs of western Palestine were thieves by instinct, and those who dwelt close to the Jewish settlements were especially practiced and daring. Throughout the campaign the British policy was to treat these debased people west of the Jordan as devout Moslems. . . . And the Arabs, a crafty race, quick to discern British unwillingness to punish their misdeeds, exploited their license to extreme limits.” The Official History of Australia in WWI, ed. by C.E.W.Bean, p.787.
Do we really believe that national mentality changes in decades? Do you call the Germans to witness? What changed about them after WWII? Sam Huntington in his Clash of Civilizations mentions a NY Times poll conducted in the 1990s: a full quarter of Germans believed there were too many Jews (0.15%) around. Germans are still educated, hard working, diligent, disciplined. They seek political and economic rather than military dominance, but they were similarly peaceful for long periods throughout their history. Dominance is important, and the means of achieving it is a technicality; war is the continuation of politics by other means.
The Holocaust and statehood did not change the Jews. We are still educated, diligent, non-disciplined, enduring. Just why do we think the Arabs will change?
Israel befriends the Druzes, odd pagans masquerading as Muslims. They want our protection but won’t come to our aid.
Israelis who have seen Bedouins only in tourist villages feel sentimental about them and appreciate their loyalty to Israel. The day Saudi Arabia offers them more money, they will switch loyalty. Bedouin Arabs betray their kin by cooperating with Israel; traitors do not make reliable friends. Meet the real Bedouins, and see why other Arabs hate them. The Bedouin mentality resemble the hyena’s: tame when he fears you, ruthlessly murderous when he has the advantage.
Arabs killed Jews in pogroms before 1948 and ambushes after the state was established. They are waiting to kill us again. That was the original goal of the PLO and the Arab armies, postponed while Israel is strong. The Edenic conditions Israel offers Arabs do not help. A zero tax rate, practical freedom from licenses and permits, total security and absence of conscription are nothing compared to ideology.
Imagine that a Muslim Palestinian state takes Israel over. They introduce sharia but give dzimmi Jews administrative independence and parliamentary representation. The Arabs pay Jewish teachers to teach Jewish children tolerate the Arab authorities. Saudi Arabia finances Jewish hospitals and municipal projects in Jewish cities. Everything is cool.
We will fight.
The Arabs will fight, too.
It seems author knows "bizzare pagans" Druzes only by pictures in the internet. I fought side-by-side with them against Palestinian terrorists. So don't tell me "they want our protection, but won't help". That's outrageous lie.
Obadiah means that the Druzes won't help Jews in the worst case scenario, not that they are useless now. Obviously, now they fight against Muslim Arabs (as Bedouins also do). Druzes don't help us but cooperate: in return for Israeli protection against hostile Muslims, they fight Muslims alongside Israel. So long as Israel is strong, such cooperation is unimportant. When Israel becomes weak, Druzes (naturally) won't be helping us because we won't be able to protect them. Obadiah has no disrespect towards Druzes, and has at least one Druze friend I know of. His characteristic of Druze's faith is a subjective Jewish evaluation.
But as long as I know Druzes have a powerful reason to cooperate with Israel: fundamentalist muslims consider them heretics, while Israel offers them religious freedom and tolerance. Druzes can reasonably expect that these guarantees will be lost if fundamentalist muslims (just the kind of people that want political power and can threat civil and religious liberties if they achieve it) became the ones who rule. So they will help Israel as long as the menace remains.
In practical terms, Muslims are ok with Druze beliefs. Officially, Druzes abide by Quran. Funamdentalists Muslims are at odds with everyone, not only with Druzes. Islamic fundamentalism isn't very strong in Palestine.Anyway, Obadiah rejects Druze commitment to Israel in the time we really need them - that is, when Israel would be weak. At that time, as you correctly pointed out, Druzes would seek protection from the party that could provide it - the Muslims, not Jews.
My comments are too long for the space provided. Where can I mail same? Thanks,Shalom,Dan
Here I´ve to correct Obadiah. Due to my own experience most Germans are incredibly stupid. It is funny to see people who doesn´t know his own capital. They are no longer educated nor disciplinated. Their culture is death. I live in a dying country. I am not sorry at all.